We walked the same trail as they did in 1930

We walked the same trail as they did in 1930. Our 'Artist Walk with a Forester' on the Thompson Pack Trail was a success today. It was fascinating for us to hear how artists see and experience our forests.

Together, we discussed and walked the same trail built by foresters who travelled this rugged path to spend months stationed at the Mt. Thompson fire lookout. Using only hand saws, picks, and axes, they created the very trail we walked today.

We stopped and took in the scent of the forest, the sounds of Sullivan Creek, and the filtering of the light through the forest canopy.

Photos were taken of the tiniest of details to the largest of camera capacity. 

Among the forest education and bear aware workshop, laughter and insight was shared.

We would like to send out a big Thank You to Dee Howard, Creston Coexistence Coordinator, for a hands on bear spray workshop that prepared us for bear encounters as well as what we can do to hike safely in our local forests.

Thank You to our forest manager, Daniel Gratton, for not only the insight of the tiniest of plants but for sharing his knowledge of the many different species of trees that grow in this area, the history of the trail and for his time on a long weekend to explore the forest with a group of artists.

Thank you to each of the artists, the three from Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI) that drove from Nelson early this morning, and the friends and family that joined them. 

This hike was part of the 2026 Community Project - Healing Forests: in honour of what forests give us.

The Creston Community Forest, in partnership with the Tilted Brick Gallery, invites artists across the Kootenays to submit work for “Healing Forests: in honour of what forests give us,” a juried exhibition opening in September 2026.

For all details and deadlines, please visit our website: https://www.crestoncommunityforest.com/artprojecthealingforests