KANAKA CREEK PARK IN MAPLE RIDGE

Kanaka Creek has its origins in the hills in the northeast of Maple Ridge and winds its way down to meet the Fraser River as its endpoint. Metro Vancouver has created a linear park which protects more than 11 KMs. of the creek. 

Today my honey and I joined a host of other nature lovers and enjoyed a late winter afternoon in the sun in the lower section of the park at the confluence of Kanaka Creek and the Fraser River.

Kanaka Creek is named after the Hawaiians who had joined as crew on the Hudson Bay Company's ships as they sailed north from southern seas loaded with goods purchased in trade with partners in Asia.

When the ships reached Fort Langley across the river from Maple Ride, some Hawaiians left the ships and rowed across the river to live and eventually married into the Katzie First Nations band. 

Nearing its terminus, Kanaka Creek meanders across a flood plain in oxbow fashion before it straightens and runs into the Fraser River. 

In early settler days, a logging railway ran from the forests at the foot of the mountains down to rivers edge. Here there was a dumping ground for the trains and a log sorting area where the logs where sorted by size and species, then boomed together for a trip downriver to one of the many mills on the river.

The wide pathway from the parking lot to the rivers edge is actually the old train bed which makes for an easy walk for everyone.

We enjoyed our walk, with Annette out to get her exercise and myself just meandering along taking pictures and enjoying the views and the history of the park.

After an hour or so we had our required steps in, just in time as the clouds were moving in to eclipse the sun to cool down the temperature as the day came to an end.

Time to go home for a warm cup of tea and a hearty meal of home made soup, perfect for a chilly winter's day.

 ALL PICTURES OF OUR AFTERNOON WALK CAN BE FOUND HERE ON MY FLICKR WEB SITE