Floe lake trail in Kooteney National Park.

Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park is a must-see for nature and wildlife lovers. The trail is long and a bit challenging, but the stunning lake view at the end makes it all worthwhile. Along the way, you will notice things, such as a beautiful blue river, and wildlife like bears, elk, and more, adding to the scenic views of the hike up.

 

But why is the river one of the attractions of the trial that is too Floe Lake? The reason for this is because this river is completely blue. Many rivers run through Canada, most being clear, but this river is exceptional due to the matte blue color of the river. This is caused by fine sediment particles such as clay and silt, which reflect and scatter sunlight, giving it a matte sky-blue color.

 

Growing and living around this river is a wide range of wildlife. You might spot a bear munching on flowers near a river bank or a wolverine running along and hiding near dead tree branches. Meanwhile, deer and elk graze in nearby fields. There is such a diverse ecosystem, not to mention the various species of fish that live in the river, providing a rich habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. The hike towards Floe Lake is more than just scenic views; nature is taking its course right in front of your eyes.

 

This is a 10.5 km hike, each way. During the summer, it is common to have at least one small water source near you. even if it's just a small stream. and these streams and rivers push one of Canada's coolest things right to your feet, fossils. When we were about 1/3 of the way to the end of the hike, we went to rest by a small river that was running through the trial. I sat down to drink some water, and I noticed a weird-shaped leaf on the ground. When I picked it up, it turned out to be a little baby trilobite fossil. I didn't have to dig for anything; it was just sitting right by my feet. 

 

Now last but not least, Floe Lake itself. Floe Lake is a glacial lake that is perfectly nested on top of a mountain, surrounded by towering peaks from all sides including the 1000-meter rock face of Floe Peek. There is an accessible campground for tents with an infinite glacier water supply.

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