It's been a busy Sunday and I almost forgot to write my weekly hiking post. Good thing I remembered about it this evening so that I don't lose my weekly posting streak again, since the last time I lost the streak during my summer road trip.
This week, we head to Mamquam Falls, located near Squamish, BC. To access the trailhead to Mamquam Falls Trail, you have to drive through the Mamquam Forest Service Road, then switch onto the Powerhouse Road and drive to the end to reach the parking lot. Both of the aforementioned roads are unpaved gravel roads with numerous potholes and exposed rocks; although sedans should be able to make it, it's best to drive cars with higher clearance such as SUVs, minivans, or pickup trucks. The trail itself is a short and easy 2km loop trail with minimal elevation gain. The trail starts off an access road towards the river and quickly enters the forest following the Mamquam River. After a short walk through the forest along the river, we reached a viewing platform where the waterfall can be viewed from far away. I don't think there is a trail to get close to the waterfall, but we did see several acess points along the trail to access the river. Apparently, this section of the river is used as a kayak race site, as the Squamish Paddling Club listed three whitewater river runs on the river. Additionally, we ran into a man at the viewing platform and started a conversation. He was telling us that he had hike this trail before, but the colour of the river was turquoise the last time he came, and strangely, the water was white this time. We turned to the almighty internet and found the following:
Mamquam Falls are known for their distinctive turquoise blue hue in the summer months, which is primarily due to the presence of glacial silt in the water. This finely ground rock flour is created by the grinding action of glaciers against bedrock, resulting in particles that remain suspended in the water. When sunlight hits these suspended particles, they scatter light in a way that creates the striking turquoise colour that Mamquam Falls is renowned for. In the summer, as the glaciers melt and the water flow increases, the concentration of glacial silt in the water is higher, intensifying the turquoise hue of the falls. However, as the seasons change and the water flow fluctuates, the colour of Mamquam Falls can also vary. During periods of lower water flow, such as in the winter months, the falls may appear a deeper blue or even green, depending on factors such as light conditions and sediment concentration.The colour appearing milky white or gray during the summer could be attributed to various factors. One possible reason for this change in colour could be an increase in sediment or debris in the water due to natural erosion processes or human activity upstream. Sediment from soil erosion, rock slides, or construction activities can mix with the water and cause it to appear murky or cloudy. Additionally, changes in weather patterns, such as heavy rainfall or snowmelt, can also contribute to higher sediment levels in the water, altering the colour of the falls. Another factor to consider is the presence of algae or other organic matter in the water, which can give it a grayish or milky appearance.
Maybe we will do a revisit sometime this year to see the river in another colour.
Check out my previous hikes:
- The Panoramic Views of Panorama Ridge
- The Golden Larches of Frosty Mountain
- The Winter Snow of Pump Peak at Mount Seymour
- Sapphire Waters and Azure Skies of Battle Bluff
- It Isn't Always Sunshine and Blue Skies
- The Frozen River and Waterfalls of Maligne Canyon
- The Amazing Arches of Arches National Park
- The Bizarre Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park
- The Magnificent Stones of Zion National Park
- The Flowing Walls of Lower Antelope Canyon
- A Glimpse of Hope at the Hope Lookout Trail
- Turquoise Waters viewed from Sea to Summit Trail
- The Three Peaks of Mount Seymour
- The Serene Winter Scene at Dog Mountain
- Murrin Loop and Jurassic Ridge
- Yosemite National Park
- The Bear's Hump at Waterton National Park
- Views of Okanagan from Pincushion Mountain Trail
- The Half Frozen Waterfalls at Franklin Falls
- Hole in the Wall of Vancouver Island
- Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
- Winter Wonderland at Alexander Falls
- Eagle Bluffs
- Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
- Admiralty Point
- Myra Canyon Trail
- Garabaldi Lake
- Botanical Beach Loop
- Wild Pacific Trail Lighthouse Loop
- Whistler Train Wreck Trail
- Grouse Grind
- Crown Mountain
- Chance Cove Coastal Trail
- Big Four Ice Caves
- Stawamus Chief First Peak
- Four Lakes Trail at Alice Lake Provincial Park
- Four Lakes Trail Winter Revisit
- Lindeman Lake Trail
- Malcolm Knapp Research Forest
- Steelhead Falls
- Cascade Falls
- Dawson Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Kay Falls and Bear Creek Falls
- Lions Bay Loop and Crystal Falls
- Overlander Falls
- Flood Falls
- Marymere Falls
- Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
- Elfin Lakes
- Gold Creek Lower Falls
- Nairn Falls
- Lower and Upper Shannon Falls
- Brandywine Falls
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