The Bull River runs for 117 miles and is a tributary of the Kootenay River located in Southeast British Columbia.

There were eight of us who participated in the ramble on the latter part of the river shortly before it meets the Kootenay River. It was a near perfect winter day. The sky was cerulean clear with the sun warming to about 3 degrees Celsius.

The ramble started by crossing the railway tracks and down the embankment to the rocky shoreline. Just as we reached the shoreline, the sound of an approaching train could be heard in the distance. It took several minutes before the train reached the area where we had crossed the track and we were able to watch it disappear around the corner.

The walking was not difficult. Although the shoreline was rocky, there was enough snow cover which made the footing easier. At times we walked over parts of the frozen river hearing the ice creak and groan and the gurgling of the water through cracks where the ice had heaved.

We made a game of using our hiking poles to shove large pieces of ice out into the open water and watched them gather momentum as the current carried them on a journey down the river.

There were frosted plants that sparkled in the morning sun and gardens of crystallized frost shining like diamonds along the river’s edge. The water reflected the light and the images along the shore.

The Steeples, a ridge of mountains in the eastern Rocky Mountain Trench provided a majestic backdrop. Our lunch spot was a log that had floated downriver and was waiting for the rushing waters of Spring to continue its journey downriver. It was the perfect resting place!

Our river ramble ended where a small rail bridge crossed the river. Climbing up the river bank to the rail bed we followed the train track back to where our vehicles were parked on the Wardner Fort Steele Road.

What a delightful way to while away four hours, soaking up sunshine, marvelling at the view of the Rockies, listening to the music of the river and nourishing my connection of spirit to the beauty of nature.