A descent

We have been past the turning to Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park countless times in the last ten years. Little? Nah, not stopping for anything little, not when we’re surrounded by big western Canada. Well, weren’t we shown to be a little(?!) silly…

Before the drop

We had to be in Qualicum Beach for an afternoon appointment, and the combination of never wanting to be late and having to get through before the daily construction closures (completion Summer 2020, budget $30 million) around Kennedy Lake, meant we had time on our hands. Alright then, let’s check out the Little Qualicum Falls.

Fall at the falls

We parked in an almost empty lot and headed up the trail marked Upper Falls. I do like to let gravity do the work later in a hike whenever possible. The trail was muddy but not impassable after a week of heavy rain, and we could hear a distant roar of cascading water up ahead. Promising!

Promising

The falls were spectacular! Huge volumes of water crashing down narrow chutes, throwing up mist and spray glinting in the late morning sun. What a sight and what a sound, and not little at all! Cascades of water, churning and tumbling and completely exhilarating!

Delighted we saw the falls, our descent after was decent, as we smiled all the way down, wondering why we hadn’t stopped there sooner?!

Noisy!

When we got home, having been held up by construction closures (new completion date late Fall 2022, new budget $58 million) we decided we must try a bit harder to explore the little delights closer to home, and not to pass turnings signposted to “Little” anything unless we promise to visit inside ten years…

Exhilarating!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Published by

plaidcamper

I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...

16 thoughts on “A descent”

  4. Fantastic photo, wonderful cascade… I’ve often wondered how waterfalls can bring out the poetry in our lives, perhaps by reminding us about time’s passage & the beauty of a moment, especially when found so close to home… Thanks Adam.

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    1. Thanks, Walt! Yes, always feel encouraged or compelled to stop and think when at a waterfall, whether it is a soothing fall or mighty cascade.
      We’ve had so much rain recently, “new” falls are everywhere, washing out roads etc…yikes.

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  5. Fabulous photos and what a wonderful time of year for your first visit!🙂 Obviously this is another location you need to rename as “little” definitely doesn’t seem to apply. Always amazed at the beautiful scenery in Canada. Had to laugh again at the construction humor as I continue lately to discover new detours daily. Premier League was replaced this weekend by the latest James Bond film, Red Notice on Netflix and rewatching Kane’s hat-trick. Hope you’ve had more sunshine than rain and enjoy the week!🙂

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    1. Thank you! More rain than sunshine, although today looks promising.
      Looking forward to seeing the new James Bond, not too sure about Red Notice – great cast, but the reviews haven’t been kind…
      I hope your snow event is short lived – unless you’re after more?!

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  7. Really fun to join you two on this not-so-little falls adventure, pc. It’s so exciting to adventure along rushing rivers and waterfalls for the first time. Hearing the roar before you see it is a true suspense. Your word of “exhilarating” says it all. I liked here how we saw it as you did, starting out with a full river and then getting to that gigantic, bursting waterfall at the end. I always enjoy seeing the green color in waterfalls too, it doesn’t always happen. Fantastic adventure, pc, thanks for bringing us along.

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