Capturing the Art of Nature
Big Silver River Delta
Back to the Silver River to see what the summer fires had left for us
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2017
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The day was quite cold and there was a dusting of snow in places, we could see tiny flakes falling in the distance across the lake, it looked quite similar to it being fogged in. As we came to Slollicum Falls we looked for the smaller fire below the road but we saw no sign of it. So that was encouraging. We stopped at a few spots overlooking the lake as we drove north before we reached the Cogburn camp ground where we pulled into the best site on the point and there we took time to enjoy the area with Liam climbing over various rocks and stumps that were scattered across the area meanwhile I took a number of shots of him and the scenery. We decided to take a quick trip up to the bridge over Talc Creek to show Liam the bridge with holes in it. When we got to the bridge, we saw that it had been replaced with a new concrete one! No more holes. Less interesting but safer. Disappointed that we couldn’t show the old one to Liam we decided to continue on to Silver River.
As we approached the Silver River log yard we first saw a sign warning of slide danger and there we looked up slope to see a burned understory. For the most part the crowns of the trees were still green and healthy looking but the ground shrubs were gone. A few areas were completely burned but it didn’t look nearly as bad as the big Elaho Fire or the one across the lake at Wood Lake. We crossed the log yard and then Geoff thought it would be fun to take Liam into the old mine that is not much beyond the yard. We parked the truck and started up to short slope to the entrance. There we all got out our iPhones and turned on the flashlight mode and started into the mine. It was quite wet and we had to pick our way across the puddles on the floor. Liam was quite uncertain about walking in deeper until we told him that we had both been to the far end. He was fine after that and we soon reached the end. There we turned off all light so Liam could sense the deep darkness of a mine. He tried taking a few photos and then we returned to the car. I almost fell out of the mine as I started down from the entrance! Fortunately I was just able to keep my footing through the rapid descent.
Our next goal was to drive the Pine spur and see if we could reach the end where the power project crossed the lake. We started into this FSR and crossed all the fresh cross-ditches which made for a bumpy drive. Soon we were up to the spot where we encountered a huge tree blocking the road but it was gone and we were able to continue in. As we made our way north along the eastern slope forming Harrison Lake we came across lots of logging. We thought it convenient that the loggers were able to take advantage of the power project’s new road. But then we came to the end of the road which was in the middle of a logged area and well short of the power line! We soon realized that the road was not for the power project and was strictly for logging. So we weren’t going to get to the spot the line became submerged after all. Well, it was still a pretty area even in the dull cold snowy weather. But it was lunch time and we needed to pick a spot to eat at.
Geoff convinced me that the best place for lunch would be the low ground right next to where he likes to go hunting. It is a low grassy marsh area at the mouth of the Big Silver River. So we backtracked along the road to the area next to the grass and there we set up our stoves and started cooking some lunch. A couple of other 4x4s came and went while we were there but traffic was very light compared to what we normally see. Once done lunch Geoff wanted to show me the hunting grounds. The grass area was fairly dry and firm so we were able to walk it without boots and so we started out. The first area is of moderate size but it narrows to a path on the west alongside a small drainage stream. Here the deer have to travel almost single file to get to the larger grass area on the other side of a forested area. We followed the path to the next grassy section. This one is much larger and reaches almost to the lake. There was still standing water on the western edge and here we carefully made our way along it – avoiding the deeper mud. About half across the grass the ground was becoming increasingly softer and I decided I had enough so we started back. By now Liam was having a great time running and tossing rocks in the water. He dropped a bit behind us as we were heading back and soon he had wandered a bit too close to the water and got his right boot stuck. He let out a cry and Geoff and I turned to see him hopping on one foot trying to keep himself from stepping in the mud. Well a few hops more and his second boot was stuck and he was now in the mud! Not unexpected, Geoff went back and picked him up and carried him to the truck. I brought his boots which were still dry inside. Geoff had a change of clothes for him so soon new socks were on his feet and Liam was happy again.
The day was rapidly moving to low light conditions and the fine cold snowflakes were falling around us more steadily now, so we decided to start back and take our time to explore a few more things that would catch our eye as we drove. It was a lovely drive in the area, we saw some new areas which had not been open for long and Liam was exposed to a mine shaft. So we all had a good day out there and I do think Liam will be able to join us more regularly now.