Upstream. The Hogs' Trough in flood.

Leaving Marsh's Falls, Kevin, Taffy and I hiked upstream into the formation known as the Hog's Trough on the Oxtongue. It takes its name from its steep sloped sides and the narrow base of the gorge.  The spring melt coming through here roars, thunders off the rocks, tumbles through the rapids and is as impressive as all get out.

Ice cliffs, which actually were a pale shade of blue, rose all the way to the top of the cliff on the far shore, with the water tumbling white and furious at their feet.

We found ourselves tromping along in the bush, following first the old tracks of a very large moose, and then (as we got closer to the river itself) the footsteps left yesterday by our cousin Robin Tapley.  Always nice to know you aren't 'alone' out there !

 It is not a river you would want to run with a canoe. Even the First Nations didn't give that a run for its money, and the old portage routes along the shore are still findable -- even under the cover of the snow!  I think this is Elbow Falls, just at the top of the Trough, but its' hard to saw, with the volume of water coming down.  Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong...

 My friend Kevin hiked in with me. The snow in the woods was almost over my boots in several places - there is still plenty to melt, so I hope the very cold forecast for the weekend comes true. That would slow the melt, and let the water move on through the system.  Fast moving water is dangerous. The shoreline is also ice-coated, slick and very treacherous, so we were being ultra careful. Taffy had to go on leash, which tells you something, since she is seldom ever restrained on a 'bush walk'.

 In the woods, the snow had melted these interesting patterns around the base of all the trees.