On a cool November morning we drove to the Watching Creek area and hiked down to shore of Tranquille River near the canyon as part of a loop route which included hiking the rim on both sides, but also crossing the river twice.    It was a sunny morning, but the sun was low in the sky as hiked through the deep canyon.   

We followed the double track right down to the water’s edge.   We found good rock-hopping routes across the river, then we scrambled up the hill to the rim trail.  

The hike along both rims is very scenic.    We stopped for the views below, then hiked a side trail up to the Opax Hoodoo, going past a number of large boulders and smaller hoodoos.  

on the Opax Hoodoo Trail

part of the old bridge crossing route

ice on the rocks made slippery crossings

one of many hoodoos

lone trees and hoodoos in the canyon

hiking up to the rim

Tranquille Canyon

We descended down to the creek and found the crossings more difficult there.   I can remember a good footbridge across the river there back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, but it was washed away decades ago. 

We followed the rim trail along the west side of the canyon back to the trailhead.  

This route was a slow 3 hour hike, but with many rewarding views along the way.

More Information:

• Trailhead – N50 47.957 W120 33.142
• Follow the double track to the river.   
• Cross wherever you can.  
• Scramble up the slope to find the trail on the rim.
• Continue south, following the trail all the way back down to the river.   Follow the trail a bit north to a crossing area. Cross where you can. 
• A trail goes up the gully bearing west at about N50 47.821 W120 32.622
• Follow the trail as it climbs up the gully, the bears east and then north, following the trail along the west rim.  
• Follow the double track back to the start.