Siffleur Falls

Elevation: 1390 m
Elevation Gain: 140 m
Siffleur Falls is a scenic waterfall where the Siffleur River plunges into a steep slot canyon before joining the North Saskatchewan River. Siffleur Mountain can also be found nearby. These features were all named by James Hector in 1858. “Siffleur” is the French term for marmot and literally translates to “whistler.” Hoary marmots (and their shrill whistles) are common throughout the Rocky Mountains. These alpine denizens were, apparently, popular with early explorers as dozens of peaks, valleys, passes and watercourses were named in their honor.
My Ascents:
July 29 2019
Trailhead: Siffleur Falls Trailhead
GPS Track: Siffleur Falls

Brianne’s family has been camping in the Rocky Mountain House area and visiting nearby David Thompson Country regularly since she was a little girl. In fact, the Christisons have such fond memories of these trips that pictures of a young Brianne ELK hiking made for a popular addition to our wedding slideshow some years ago. When it came time to plan our family camping trip this summer, RMH, therefore, seemed like an obvious choice and we knew that we’d have to take our girls on some of the same hikes that Brianne and her parents so enjoyed some 3 decades earlier. Among the area’s many possible outings, Siffleur Falls holds a cherished place in the hearts of the Christison clan so we made sure to visit it so that Brianne and her parents could relive some of her childhood memories while forming new ones with our daughters.

In addition to its nostalgic value, the hike to Siffleur Falls also proved to be incredibly scenic. Even the trailhead parking lot provided grand views of the Ex Coelis Group, named in honor of the First Canadian Parachute Battalion (as the plaque explains). The trailhead is about an hour and a half west of RMH but takes longer to reach if you decide to drive past it (as we discovered while attempting to calm the 2 children who were screaming in our backseat). Despite the trail’s popularity, Brianne and I both missed the sign for it on Highway 11 and only realized our mistake once we reached the Banff National Park Boundary. After a quick U-turn, we eventually caught up to her waiting parents at the confusingly-marked trailhead about 30 minutes after we should have arrived. If you wish to learn from our mistake, the sign for Siffleur Falls Trailhead is combined with the sign for Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve (which makes the small sign very hard to read at 100 km/h!).

Once we finally managed to find the trailhead, we were underway in short order. While the parking lot was pretty, things only got better from there. Within minutes of setting out, we were making our way across the scenic North Saskatchewan River on this extra-swingy suspension bridge (which proved to be a hit with our girls and their Dad!).

Looking back across the North Saskatchewan River towards 3,124-m-tall Mount Peskett.

Mera and “Nannie” drift towards the Ex Coelis Group on a skillfully crafted boardwalk which protects the sensitive Kootenay Plains from the many boots that stomp their way towards Siffleur Falls. Even if you don’t hike to the falls, the plains themselves are worth a visit since their open surroundings provide great views of Front Range peaks to the east and Main Range monsters to the west.

After enjoying a trip along the boardwalk (♫ boardwalk ♫), we reached a second (less-bouncy) bridge and crossed the Siffleur River while enjoying a nice view of the Mount Ernest Ross/Elliott Peak Massif downstream.

Well, at least some of us were enjoying the views…others had more pressing matters (beauty sleep) to attend to!

“Papa” and Mera make their way along the most difficult section of the trail. As you can see, this trail is suited for all regardless of their hiking prowess.

Hydration is key on a hot summer day!

Mera enjoys a perch on an unusually twisted tree that we passed en route to the falls. Based on the branch’s lack of bark, I’m guessing that she’s not the first to pose for photos like this!

Hmmm…wonder how strong that branch is…

First views of the now-canyon-bound Siffleur River as Mount Peskett continues to tower scenically to the west.

A closer look at the raging Siffleur River far below.

Looking downstream towards Two O’Clock Ridge (center left) and Elliott Peak (center right) from one of several well-placed viewpoints. As you can see, the canyon’s walls were precipitous! Fortunately, these fenced viewpoints provided vantages, both safe and scenic, to enjoy them.

The views proved so nice that Penny opted to cut short her afternoon nap so that she could enjoy them as well.

A short distance upstream of a 90 degree bend in the canyon-bound river, we reached scenic Siffleur Falls (some 4 km or so from the trailhead).

A closer look at the torrent as it plummets canyon-wards.

Mera enjoys the roar of the falls from the safety of a fenced viewing platform.

Penny does likewise as the falls cast a cooling mist upon her.

Mom explains the process of erosion to our tots.

Glacial blue waters carve their way through limestone downstream of the falls.

Graffiti pays tribute to someone who obviously ventured too close to the roaring falls. Another memorial was also prominent at the trailhead. Despite the presence of railings alongside the gorge and ample well-placed viewpoints, it, sadly, seems that some people fail to respect the power of this beautiful cascade. Indeed, while we explored around the falls, we witnessed a family and their off-leash bulldog swimming just upstream in the river (while violating the scene’s sanctity with their Bluetooth speakers no less). While I was extremely happy to see them make it back to shore safely, I wish that their music-blasting device had been sent to its demise over the lip of the falls! Siffleur Falls is a lovely and simple hike but, unfortunately, the memorials that we witnessed will probably not be the last.

An island of fireweed provides a vibrant splash of violet just upstream of the falls.

A closer look at the fireweed.

Our little hiker poses nicely upstream of the falls. For keen hikers, it is, apparently, possible to continue upstream to another 2 sets of falls also named “Siffleur” (the first 2.5 km farther and the second 1.5 km beyond that). On this day, however, we opted to call it a day (as most do) at the very lovely first set of falls.

“Nannie” and “Papa” enjoy their return to these falls with their little “Elk” and her 2 daughters (some 3 decades after their first visit).

A quick family photo with our little elk before starting the 4-km-hike back to the parking lot. Who knows? If we’re lucky, maybe someday we can return to this place with the next generation of little “stand-up animals”…

Revisiting scenic viewpoints as we make our way back downstream.

Sometimes a viewpoint is so nice that you just need to dance (and no – there were no Bluetooth speakers here thank God)!

Having burnt all her energy dancing, our little hiker availed herself of a piggy-back-ride on the way back.

Brianne takes a rare turn with the heavy-as-heck-hiking-carrier on the way back across the Siffleur River.

Unaccustomed to carrying the big pack, Brianne was sure to take a load off whenever possible.

Mera enjoys a prime seat atop “Papa’s” shoulders. While she hiked most of the way to the falls and back, she was quite tired by the end (which, at one point, led to a heart-wrenching face-plant after a root “jumped up” and tripped her). Still, bloody nose and all, it’s hard to keep a good girl down!

Sisters swaying above the scenic North Saskatchewan River.

Last views of the Ex Coelis Group from the bridge (from left to right: Normandy Peak, Ardennes Peak, Rhine Peak and Elbe Peak).

After enjoying the day’s second trip across the swinging suspension bridge, we had no problem finding the trailhead parking lot (this time). As we traded our boots for sandals, Penny decided to take advantage of every-last-second of hiking that she could. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree(s)!

A painful but nostalgic conclusion to the day on the “Rocket Slide” at the nearby David Thompson Resort. The “Use at Your Own Risk” sign that greets those that enter this 30-year-old playground probably should have given Brianne an inkling as to how this would turn out…

Mera and Penny line up for something cold at the resort (so that their mom could ice her rocket-slide-bruised bottom). Some places are definitely worth returning to and I’d count scenic Siffleur Falls amongst them (though next time, we may wisely take a pass on the hazardous playground equipment)!