Day 7: Mount Robson Provincial Park

Again, the children are enjoying the amenities of the campground by biking, playing in the sandbox, and playing basketball. Our drive today is quick and we reach Mount Robson Provincial Park around noon. Mount Robson is 3940 meters high and at the base of the mountain is the park with the visitor center. We inquire there about a nice hike. Unfortunately, we have to skip the hike to the mountain lake as it is estimated to take 8 hours one way and involves 800 meters of elevation gain. So we decide to take the 4.4 km loop trail along the waterfall and the Fraser River. It's a forest trail and we are almost alone. At the halfway point, we can either turn back and return the same way or take the path through the visitor center and a trail through the forest near the road. We choose the latter option. Shortly after the visitor center, in the middle of the forest, we hear a crack a few meters above us on the slope and there is a black bear growling. We immediately turn back and walk back to the visitor center. It's exciting and David says, 'I'm to blame for the bear being there because I complained'. What should I say to that? We are close to the parking lot, but because of the change in direction, we only have 2 options for our hikes. Either we walk along the road or go back to the 3 km hiking trail. René and I walk back alone along the road to get the car. As soon as we leave the visitor center and stand on the road, the black bear runs on the road 100 meters ahead of us. It seems like he doesn't want us to reach the car. We wait until he disappears into the forest on the other side of the road and quickly walk the 2 km to the car. Back with the children, we show them the pictures of the black bear. We are early at the campground and relax. In the evening, we barbecue and warm ourselves by the fire pit. The mosquitoes here are very aggressive, they have been following us for days. They are particularly active in the forest in humid weather. We use a mosquito repellent that works well.