Waterfalls of British Columbia: A Guide to BC’s 100 Best Falls, 208 pages

Author: Tony Greenfield

I suddenly feel compelled to go gallivanting around British Columbia seek out hard to reach, fantastical waterfalls.

Thanks a lot Tony Greenfield.

Greenfield brings us the 100 best waterfalls in the province with his new book, Waterfalls of British Columbia.

The pictures just aren’t enough to satisfy my curiosity, although they are stunning. But the falls exhibited in this book are just so surreal, huge and amazing looking that its impossible to not want to go see them all.

Greenfield includes some falls we have all heard of like Bridal Veil Falls or Elk Falls in Campbell River.

But he also writes about falls off the beat track. Hunlen Falls is a case in point. You want to see those particular falls plunge along a sheer cliff face for 253 metres? Take a float plane, or a very strenuous hike. So gorgeous, so impossible to get to.

It might be a better idea to see some of the other breathtaking falls that are easier to get to.

Greenfield’s writing is well organized and easy to follow. First of all, he gives each waterfall a rating out of five. Della Falls, in Strathcona Provincial Park, gets the highest ranking of Island falls, according to Greenfield. It’s also the highest waterfall in B.C. Those falls are also super difficult to get to, so perhaps check out the easy access Elk Falls as an alternative.

He also offers a type system for the falls — tiered, plunge etc. There is a photo of every one, and Greenfield has done plenty of research on how to access the falls, and their location. Directions, highlights, facilities — it’s all there.

The writer also explains rhapsodizes about the special qualities of any given waterfall. It is in this portion Greenfield’s passion for the subject is made clear because he writes about his personal goals to reach certain falls and describes what he saw there. It’s quite poetic.

The photos and the text are quite inspiring, and it is fascinating to see what B.C. has to offer. No two waterfalls are alike.

Get this book, then go looking for waterfalls. It’s an excellent, complete guide. I most appreciated the extensive directions and tips for getting to the various falls.

Waterfalls of British Columbia is available through bookstores or online at www.harbourpublishing.com.