I had a really nice winter walking trip around the Julma-Ölkky canyonlake today. It´s the biggest of the three exceptional canyon lakes situated in Finland where the water stands in a crack on the ground. This formation of the earths surface has taken place around two billion years ago. At its highest, the rockwall is 50 meters high and the deepest point of this three kilometer long lake is 50 meters. This rather rugged landscape has stimulated the imagination of our ancestors, creating stories and beliefs shaped by their animalistic worldview. There´s also a small, fairly faded rock painting proving the significance that this place has had in the eyes of those people. The Colored Rock with more extensive and rather well remained figures is found a few kilometers to the south. During summer time it is possible to join a boat ride on this extraordinary lake and have a real close look of this ”Cruel Ölkky” -lake, as the name could be translated into English. The bright summer light really does justice to these sceneries.
Weather was great considering the season – no raining or snowing and the temperature was around zero all day. The snow that landed quite early this year creates a nice contrast with the green forest so the scenery is diverse and you get some really nice nature pictures if you are into photography. Few rays of sunlight would have been the last straw… Some edible berries can still be found while wandering in the forest, crowberries (Empetrum nigrum) for instance.
When hiking in the routes of this area during this time of year it is more likely to face animals than humans, this is how it was today. I saw black grouses, reindeers and great spotted woodpeckers but not a single human being. I also discovered the tracks of capercaillie, red fox, tree squirrel and hare. The only sounds I heard during the whole hike in this extensive natural forest was wind blow in the tree tops, occasional rippling of water in the small streams and woodpeckers tapping the trees. The ultimate way of recreation and stress relief if you ask me.
Here´s a few pictures to show you a few things that caught my eye during the walk!