A walk back in time …
The Ancient Cottonwood Trail winds through a grove of the world ' s oldest-known black cottonwood trees. This old-growth forest is a biological treasure trove, full of an amazing variety of plants and animals. The 1 km easy trail leads you through the lush understory of the forest and over little bridges before reaching the largest trees. Along the way, interpretive signs explain the ecological role of cottonwood trees and highlight some of the resident plants and animals.
In 2003, scientists confirmed the ages of the trees, putting the oldest at more than 400 years old. The cottonwood forest is part of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’ s Elk Valley Heritage Conservation Area. The trail is 16 km SE of Fernie on Hwy 3. Turn off on Morrissey Road. The trailhead is located just past the bridge by the train tracks.
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Photo: Steve Ogle