Naas River footbridge between lava banks
Photo: Nass Bridge, by Dave JohnsonThe current Nass Canyon was formed in the 1700s when a volcano erupted. The ensuing flow of magma moved the Nass river bed over about a mile and blanketed the whole valley in a layer of lava up to 12 metres thick.
Today this wooden footbridge spans banks of lava in the Nisga'a village of Canyon City, or Gitwinksihlkw, near the Lava Beds Park.
From New Aiyansh, the seat of the Nisga'a government, the view of the lava fields is spectacular. In the summer season, guided walks allow tourists to look down into the ashy hollow cone.
It has been said that explorer James Cook witnessed this phenomenon from his ship off the coast and mistook it for a huge forest fire.
Visiting the Naas Valley with my brother in 2007, I was suffused with such peace as I have rarely felt. The magic of the place penetrated every cell and reached to the bottom of my bones.