nature's sculptures
You never know what's around the corner.
It could be everything.
Or it could be nothing.
You keep putting one foot in front of the other,
and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.
Tom HiddlestonOver the last year, I have shared many photos of my travels to British Columbia, Squamish in particular. It's an area I hold dear to my heart.
The Stawamus Chief Mountain is known as "The Chief" to rock climbers world wide as well as to the locals in Squamish. For the indigenous people in this area, this rock is a place of spiritual importance.
The Stawamus Chief - photo by @countrygirl
The Chief is a granite dome, the second largest granite monolith in the world. It stands approximately 2,300 feet (700m) on the Howe Sound shores of the Pacific Ocean.
As a popular hiking, rock climbing and slack lining destination it offers three main trails and incredible scenic views of Howe Sound and several mountains in Garibaldi Provincial Park areas.
The recent addition of a ten minute ride to the top of the Chief, via the Sea to Sky Gondola, allows quick access to the trails year round. There are viewing decks, a restaurant and a suspension bridge that connects the gullies at the peak.
On the north east side of the Chief there is a white scar known as "the witch" to the locals. To me, it looks like a bear standing up. I can't see "the witch".
Shannon Falls is where most people start their journey. The roar from the falling water reverberated in my chest and its mist hovered through the rainforest below.
Shannon Falls - photo by @countrygirl
sunset at the base of The Chief - photo by @countrygirl
Thank you for posting @countrygirl ! I had no idea this place existed just a little north of Vancouver, BC. If I get up that way any time soon I'll be sure to visit "The Chief".
It's about a 45 min drive north of Van. Definitely worth it.
Beautiful place, awesome shots. I actually like those taken by you more than the the first one from Wikipedia :) Have you tried any photocontests here on Steemit? You would do great. Thanks for this post and for making me put Canada to the top of my travel list :)) Greetings from Mexico!
Wow, thank you so much! What a great compliment. Yes I have tried some contests and was successful in a couple. I really appreciate your words.
Beautiful set of photos! We're posting this on @photofeed!
Really? Wow. Thanks so much!
That waterfall is amazing!!
Thanks @jasonrussell. It's an amazing place.
What a beautiful scenery to enjoy while hiking. Abi and I enjoy a good trail walk and climb, but we don’t have mountains like ‘‘The Chief.’’
Oh the Chief is more than a hike. I couldn't do it all. There are ropes and ladders to help pull you up shear walls. I only can do the low level little girl hikes :)
These are majestic photos - the Chief is awe-inspiring. Love the waterfall and sunset pic - the quote from Hawthorne is beautiful
Thanks sir. I appreciate your thorough comments and encouragement.
Upvoted. Some great shots here. The contrast in colours is great.
Regards
SP
Also im struggling to spot the witch! If anyone sees it could they pleasr point it out!
Thanks
It's in the second photo - you'll notice right in the middle of the rock and down a bit you can see a whitish big scar. That's supposed to be the witch. I can only see a bear.
Thanks so much @bit-sp.
The way you captured the waterfall is simply gorgeous. And yeah that Hawthorn quote is delicious.
Thanks @genxrev. Glad you enjoyed the photo and quote. :)
The Chief shot is really lovely. It makes me want to go for a climb.
Thanks so much @jfolkmann. You should go sometime.
Great photos of the Chief! I've been there, but not to the top. Did you ride the gondola? I think I'd be scared!
No I haven't yet.....if....I'm going out there in a couple of months and I'll probably be pressured to go. I've been on the Peak to Peak in Whistler and it was fine. I'm told the Sea to Sky gondola goes straight up rather than on an incline.