Day 87 Shuswap Lake, Seymour Arm to Albas Falls Trail

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An absolutely awesome day as we discovered more enchanting nooks and crannies of Shuswap Lake on our 130-140km return boat journey. The aim of today was to hike the Albas Falls Trail (Lori and Wayne had not done this either) which is located in a remote area of the lake nearly at the end of Seymour Arm, a waterway of Shuswap Lake system. (see map photo). The shoreline was scattered with cabins and houseboats. At our destination we moored in the crystal clear waters of Steamboat Bay and began our hike from the beach.

We hiked through tall forest alongside the creek to the first set of waterfalls. Many of the trees were covered in moss. We continued up the ‘easy-on-the-feet’ trail, deeper into this remote forest, hearing only the sound of the rushing water of Celista Creek and our footsteps on the trail. Then, the sound of cascading water came to our ears as it crashed over the falls. We hiked alongside the falls, always trying to get that ‘better’ view; that ‘better’ appreciation of what we were witnessing. The trail at times on the edge of the banks varied from centimetres to 30 metres above the water. I loved the sound and sight of tonnes of fast flowing white water crashing over cliffs onto rocks below as it continued on its ‘freedom’ journey. Even though the forest enclosed us, the spray from the falls was welcoming and soothing as the day was warm and coupled with the hike we were a little sweaty. We snacked at the top and did the return walk.

Wayne then took us to the end of the Seymour Arm waterway to where we viewed Seymour Arm village from the lake. Very, very small and hidden indeed. We cut the engine and very slowly floated. Wayne and Lori dived in the water whilst the Belotti’s tentatively tested the water and then slowly immersed. Beautiful. Just beautiful. We lunched on the boat with the food prepared by Lori and Jane earlier in the morning.

The wind had picked up on the Seymour Arm section which resulted in the water being quite choppy. Once we cleared Seymour and entered Shuswap Lake again, it was motoring. We stopped for ice-cream at a small village on the edge of the lake, continued on to a refuelling depot and home. Tired, yes. Exhilarated and grateful to have experienced such a day, yes. A day on and in the water with cedar forested mountains surrounding us totally. What else could we want? British Columbia, you are indeed beautiful.

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