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Finnigan’s Point to Canyon City

The rest of the first day of hiking was quite easy and we reached Canyon City mid-afternoon, covering a total distance of about 12km (7.5mi). This was my favourite campground, with private sites along the Taiya River. Camp routine hadn’t set in yet, but was starting. After setting up our tents, we all stripped down to wash off the day’s grime while our guides boiled hot water for afternoon drinks.

We had a pleasant afternoon at Canyon City and after dinner we hiked a few more klicks (without our packs!) to the site of the gold rush era Canyon City to see a few artifacts. This involved crossing a suspension bridge, something that I can now do without any fear or hesitation whatsoever. How far I’ve come since last September!

During each hiking segment we would take one 'packs off break.' This afternoon, the weather was tropical, so many of us dipped our head coverings in this glacial water!

During each hiking segment we would take one ‘packs off break.’ This afternoon, the weather was tropical, so many of us dipped our head coverings in this glacial water!

Our first taste of alpine-like geography, but it didn't last long and we were soon back in rain forest.

Our first taste of alpine-like geography, but it didn’t last long and we were soon back in rain forest.

A cabin built by Canadian inmates in the late 60's and 70's; most campgrounds had one of these. The inmates were responsible for creating most of the modern trail and a lot of its current infrastructure.

A cabin built by Canadian inmates in the late 60’s and 70’s; most campgrounds had one of these. The inmates were responsible for creating most of the modern trail and a lot of its current infrastructure.

The bedroom.

The bedroom.

The bathroom.

The bathroom.

The living room (in the cabin).

The living room (in the cabin).

All but one of the campgrounds now has these bear-proof lockers so hikers no longer have to swing their food bags over high poles.

All but one of the campgrounds now has these bear-proof lockers so hikers no longer have to swing their food bags over high poles.

Mark and Victor making our first dinner. They were good cooks! Here, they're making creamy garlic pasta with fresh bell peppers and broccoli.

Mark and Victor making our first dinner. They were good cooks! Here, they’re making creamy garlic pasta with fresh bell peppers and broccoli.

Composting outhouses, hence why they're up high.

Composting outhouses, hence why they’re up high.

Crossing a very wobbly suspension bridge while holding on to a mug of tea in one hand and taking a picture with the other. How far I've come acrophobia-wise in a year, LOL!

Crossing a very wobbly suspension bridge while holding on to a mug of tea in one hand and taking a picture with the other. How far I’ve come acrophobia-wise in a year, LOL!

This stove would have been in a restaurant at Canyon City during the gold rush. A typical menu was bread, beans, and bacon.

This stove would have been in a restaurant at Canyon City during the gold rush. A typical menu was bread, beans, and bacon.

close up of a baking pan (so neat that such details survive!)

close up of a baking pan (so neat that such details survive!)

This boiler operated an aerial tramway from Canyon City to an area past the pass called the Stone Crib. Goods could be transported easily over the pass using this system that was put out of use when the White Pass rail road was constructed. The cost of using the air tram was competitive to that of using packers to get over the pass on foot. (Oh, and I was having fun with the sepia setting on the camera!)

This boiler operated an aerial tramway from Canyon City to an area past the pass called the Stone Crib. Goods could be transported easily over the pass using this system that was put out of use when the White Pass rail road was constructed. The cost of using the air tram was competitive to that of using packers to get over the pass on foot. (Oh, and I was having fun with the sepia setting on the camera!)