Wells Gray Provincial Park
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Wells Gray Provincial Park
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 Clearwater Valley |
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| location | British Columbia (Canada) | |
| surface | 5400 km² | |
| WDPA ID | 4177 | |
| Geographical location | 52 ° 8 ′ N , 120 ° 15 ′ W | |
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| Setup date | 1939 | |
| administration | BC parks | |
The Wells Gray Provincial Park is a large nature reserve in the east of the Cariboo Regional District in the Canadian province of British Columbia . It is the fourth largest of the Provincial Parks in British Columbia after Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park , Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park and Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park .
Location and natural space
Wells Gray Provincial Park is located in the transition area between the Cariboo Mountains and the Interior Plateau in the area of the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field . Directly to the north is the Cariboo Mountains Provincial Park - formerly Mitchell Lake / Niagara Provincial Park. Together with the Bowron Lake Provincial Park to the north and several small provincial parks , they form an almost closed nature reserve of over 810,000 hectares in the west of the Cariboo Mountains.
On the area of the park of 5400 km², which includes the upper reaches of the Clearwater River and its tributaries, there are 5 large lakes - Hobson Lake , Azure Lake , Clearwater Lake , Murtle Lake and Mahood Lake - and numerous smaller lakes.
At Mount Goddall the peaks reach a height of 2911 m , other peaks in the park are Mount Winder ( 2758 m ), Mount Beaman ( 2755 m ) and Mount Aves ( 2606 m ), in the southern outskirts of the park the height is in the valley of the Clearwater River less than 500 yards.
While mixed forest and boreal coniferous forest predominate in the river valleys , around 65 percent of the park is covered with subalpine tundra , beyond that the summit regions are glaciated, the Braithwaite Icefield is located in the middle of the park between Azure Lake and Hobson Lake.
Volcanism
Large parts of the park are characterized by signs of volcanic activity - cooled lava flows , volcanic cones and craters - some of which are only 400 years old. Older signs of volcanism are partially glacial . In the area of the park there are numerous elevations that can be attributed to volcanic activity:
- Kostal Cone (polygenetic cinder cone , 52.17 N, 119.94 W, originated in the Holocene )
- Pillow Creek ( subglacial volcano , 52.02 N, 119.84 W, formed in the Pleistocene )
- Gage Hill ( Tuya , 52.05 N, 120.01 W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Dragon Cone (cinder cone, 52.25 N, 120.02 W, formed in the Holocene)
- Flourmill Cone (cinder cone, 52.05 ° N, 120.32 ° W, formed in the Holocene)
- Pointed Stick Cone (eroded cinder cone, 52.24 ° N, 120.08 ° W, formed in the Holocene)
- Spanish Lake Center (polygenic cinder cone, 52.07 ° N, 120.31 ° W, formed in the Holocene)
- Spanish Bonk ( basalt cone , 52.13 ° N, 120.37 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Ray Mountain (subglacial volcano, 52.24 ° N, 120.11 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Spanish Mump (subglacial volcano, 52.16 ° N, 120.33 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Jack's Jump (subglacial volcano, 52.12 ° N, 120.05 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Hyalo Ridge (Tuya, 52.11 ° N, 120.36 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- McLeod Hill (Tuya, 52.02 ° N, 120.01 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Mosquito Mound (Tuya, 52.02 ° N, 120.18 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Buck Hill Cone (cinder cone, 51.80 ° N, 119.98 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Ida Ridge (eroded cinder cone, 51.80 ° N, 119.94 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Fiftytwo Ridge (subglacial volcano, 51.93 ° N, 119.98 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Flatiron (eroded slag field, 51.88 ° N, 120.05 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- White Horse Bluff (submarine volcano, 51.90 ° N, 120.11 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
- Pyramid Mountain (subglacial volcano, 51.99 ° N, 120.10 ° W, formed in the Pleistocene)
history
Before the arrival of white settlers, the park area was a hard-fought hunting ground for the Secwepemc and Chilcotin , and some geographical names in the park - such as Battle Mountain, Battle Creek and Fight Lake - speak for the fierce struggle for control of the caribou's migration routes . Around 35 archaeological sites bear witness to the indigenous cultures .
As part of the Cariboo gold rush , some gold prospectors tried unsuccessfully to cross the Cariboo Mountains on what is now the park area; a viable route was not found.
Systematic exploration of the area began around 1870 on behalf of the Canadian Pacific Railway , but the discovery of Kicking Horse Pass in 1881 put an end to the search for a crossing over the Cariboo Mountains. At the end of the 19th century isolated prospectors came to the area, individual farms and a modest logging industry sprang up in the valleys of the North Thompson River and the Clearwater River.
The discovery of the Helmcken Falls in 1913 increased pressure on the provincial administration to protect the site.
The park was established on November 28, 1939 and named in honor of Arthur Wellesley Gray, a provincial government minister. The park underwent major expansions in April 1996, the Clearwater River Corridor Addition (31 km²) protects the valley of the Clearwater River to near its confluence with the North Thompson River , the Trophy Mountain Addition (69.3 km²) covers nine, steeply to the north sloping peaks and some of the most easily accessible mountain meadows with numerous mountain lakes.
natural reserve
In addition to the protection of flora and fauna - here through a large, almost inaccessible conservation area - special attention is paid to the evidence of volcanic activity.
The park is a category Ib protected area ( wilderness area ).
Within the ecosystem of British Columbia, the park area is also assigned to different eco-zones due to the size and the different conditions, these are the Interior Douglas Fir Zone , the Interior Cedar-Hemlock Zone , the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir Zone and the Alpine Tundra Zone .
The forest - mainly coniferous forest - is characterized by hemlock , Douglas fir and giant arborvitae , along the lakeside and rivers there are isolated deciduous trees. Among other things, the vine leaf maple can be found here .
In addition to 219 bird species, all larger mammal species native to western Canada are represented in the park.
Attractions
The park is divided into different sections due to its size, only the Wells Gray Corridor is easily accessible.
Wells Gray Corridor
The Wells Gray Corridor, which runs along the only access to Clearwater Lake, offers some spectacular sights:
- Green Mountain Viewing Tower - View over the southern part of the park and to Mahood Lake
- Dawson Falls - known as Little Niagara Falls , the Murtle River tumbles 15 meters over a 90 meter wide rock step
- Helmcken Falls - the Murtle River falls 141 meters over a basalt step
- Ray Farm - Remains of the oldest village in the park with the graves of the farmer John Ray and his wife Alice
- Bailey's Chute - the rapids are particularly interesting during the salmon migration in August and September
- Clearwater Lake - south end of the mountain lake
Murtle Lake
The lake is the largest lake in North America , which can only be accessed by non-motorized boats. The lonely lake has a coastline of more than 100 kilometers. Access is via a narrow 17 mile gravel road from Blue River; A hiking trail leads from the parking lot over 2.5 kilometers to the starting point for boats, which can also be used with small boat carts.
Clearwater Azure Marine
This part of the park includes Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake , north of the Wells Gray Corridor , both more than 20 kilometers long and connected by the Clearwater River. There are numerous waterfalls on its banks, the most famous of which are:
- Rainbow Falls - at the east end of Azure Lake (south shore)
- Garnet Falls - in the western part of Azure Lake (north shore)
In addition, both lakes, located in narrow mountain valleys, offer great views of the glaciated Buchanan Ridge (Garnet Peak 2,900 m) and the massif of Azure Mountain (2,495 m).
Mahood Lake
Mahood Lake - by far the warmest of the great lakes in the park, is located to the west of the park and is best from 100 Mile House via Canim Lake Road and FS Road # 8100 or from Highway 24 between Lone Butte and Roe Lake via the Reach Mahood Lake Road.
Spahats Creek
The area now known as Spahats Creek Section was protected as Spahats Creek Provincial Park in 1965 and was not incorporated into Wells Gray Provincial Park until 1996 as part of the Clearwater River Corridor Addition. The main attraction of this easily accessible area 10 kilometers north of Clearwater is the Spahats Falls.
The viewing platform, shaded by hemlocks and arborvitae, is ideal for wildlife viewing in the Clearwater River valley.
Clearwater River
It was not until 1996 that the Clearwater River valley was placed under protection as part of Wells Gray Provincial Park, and it is rich in evidence of the region's volcanic heritage - pillow lava , columnar basalt and lava flows are visible in individual places. In addition to the conifers that are common in other parts of the park, there are large populations of coastal pines , aspens and birches .
The Clearwater River valley is an important wintering area for moose , and the less developed tourist area also offers a retreat for mule deer , white-tailed deer , black bears , coyotes and badgers .
So-called backcountry
These areas are almost inaccessible and can usually only be reached after several days of hiking or a combination of canoeing and hiking. Its charm lies mainly in its remoteness and the solitude that the traveler is subject to here.
activities
The park is only partially developed due to its size, large areas - especially in the east and north of the park are almost inaccessible.
Wells Gray Corridor
Hiking trails
The Wells Gray Corridor is the starting point for numerous hikes, some of which lead far into remote areas:
- Flat Iron Trail (easy, 5 km) - access to the Flat Iron , a narrow table mountain made of volcanic rock, view of the canyon of Hemp Creek
- Placid Lake Trail (easy, 3 miles) - hike through ancient, pristine forest; Possibility to observe moose and birds
- Helmcken Brink Trail / Helmcken Falls Rim Trail (easy, 8 km) - through the wooded valley of the Murtle River to the top of the waterfall
- North Rim Trail (easy, 2 km) - along the north rim of Helmcken Canyon to a view of the confluence of the Murtle River and the Clearwater River
- Horseshoe Trail (easy, 1km) - access to the Clearwater River, watch salmon spawn in July and August (beware of bears!)
- Ray Farm Loop / Mineral Spring Trail (easy 4 miles) - Ray Farm log cabins; Path to a mineral spring along Alice Lake
- Bailey's Choote / West Lake Loop (easy, 3 miles) - Path to the rapids, small West Lake and Donkey Falls leads through unspoilt forest
- Dragon's Tongue Trail (easy, 4 km) - the way to the Stitca Falls leads on to a lava flow only approx. 7000 years old
- Chain Meadows (intermediate 14 km) - along Clearwater Lake to Osprey Falls and views of Clearwater Lake and the Eastern Bluffs
Water sports and fishing
While salmon are no longer found in the Murtle River system above the Helmcken Falls, the Clearwater River and its tributaries are an important spawning area for several species of salmon fish. However, an increased occurrence of grizzly bears in the bank area is to be expected in July and August.
In addition to Clearwater Lake, some sections of the Clearwater River are suitable for canoes and kayaks, but due to the numerous rapids and waterfalls, other areas of the park should be designated.
Most of the fish found in the river have catch restrictions so only sport fishing is possible.
Murtle Lake
Hiking trails
All hiking trails can only be reached from the lake:
- Anderson Lake (easy, 2.5 mi) - abandoned log cabin and great views north across Anderson Lake
- File Creek / McDougall Lake Route (easy, 1.5 km) - serves as the portage between McDougall Lake and Murtle Lake
- Henrietta Lake (easy, 1 km) - small lake south of Murtle Lake with fishing opportunities
- McDougall Falls (easy, 3 miles) - Path from Diamond Lagoon through the Murtle River valley to McDougall Falls
- Wavy Alpine (difficult, 7 km) - towards the peaks of the Wavy Range
There are other paths to Strait Lake, Central Mountain and Wave Crest Peak, a route from File Creek towards McDougall Lake and Kostal Lake is not maintained by the park administration.
For visitors to the area who do not have a boat, there is the possibility of visiting a sandy beach 1.5 kilometers behind the starting point of the boats, there are no other options for day-trippers.
Water sports and fishing
The lake is suitable for canoes and kayaks , and there are 69 simple campsites in 20 locations on its banks. The stocks of sockeye salmon and rainbow trout attract anglers. Since the water is extremely cold, swimming in the lake should also be avoided in summer, there are no lifeguards at the lake.
Clearwater Azure Marine
Hiking trails
This part of the park is the starting point for one of the most challenging trails on the reserve's grounds. To explore Hobson Lake to the north, a hiking trail leads north from the junction of the two lakes. In addition, the area offers the following shorter hikes:
- Huntley Col Route (difficult 4km, 1,300m elevation gain) - from the north shore of Azure Lake towards Mount Huntley
- Divers Bluff Route (Difficult, 1.5 km) - from Diver Bluff Campground to a lookout over Clearwater Lake
Water sports and fishing
Both lakes are open to motor boats, the canal connecting both lakes can be navigated with them, and a portage is available for non-motorized boats . Commercial vendors run organized tours from the southern end of Clearwater Lake.
16 campsites are available along the banks, and rainbow trout can be caught in both lakes.
Mahood Lake
Hiking trails
Short hikes lead to three small photogenic waterfalls - Mahood, Canim and Deception Falls; a 4 km long trail leads to the secluded Whale Lake.
Water sports and fishing
Since Mahood Lake is the only one of the lakes in the park that does not get its water directly from glaciers, it is much warmer and also suitable for swimming in summer, although there are no lifeguards on the 200 meter long beach here. All other types of water sports are also possible, the use of motor boats is permitted.
Next to the campsite at the end of the driveway to this part of the park there are 3 Wilderness Camps on the lakeshore, which can only be reached from the water.
In addition to rainbow trout and sockeye salmon, you can also find American char , mountain whitefish and burbot in Mahood Lake .
Spahats Creek
Hiking trails
A short hiking trail leads from Clearwater Valley Road to a viewing platform with a view over the spectacular Spahats Falls, this continues through the impressive Spahats Creek Canyon.
Trophy Mountain
Hiking trails
The easiest hike in one of the remote areas is in the Trophy Mountain area, accessed via FS Roads # 80, # 10, and # 201 from Wells Gray Park Road. The 1 km hike is particularly popular in July and August, when the flowers of the mountain meadows are in bloom. Sheila Lake can be reached after another 1.5 km, the Skyline Ridge after 6 km offers a great view.
Clearwater River
Hiking trails
The valley of the Clearwater River, which has only been part of the park since 1996, is not very well developed for tourism, as it primarily serves as a retreat for some animal species. The approximately 6 km long Candle Creek Trail leads on a poorly maintained path partly over loose scree to two more waterfalls, the Candle Creek Falls and the Triple-Decker Falls. To the northeast of the town of Clearwater there is a system of hiking trails outside the park, which is known as the Candle Creek Trails, this more than 30 km long system of hiking trails is particularly popular as a ski route in winter.
So-called backcountry
Flourmills Volcano Area
The area to the west of the park, north of Mahood Lake, can be accessed from 100 Mile House via Canim Lake Road and FS Roads # 6000 and # 7000, which lead to Spanish Lake on the park's border. The 25-kilometer hiking trail leads over cold, sharp-edged lava flows to the cones of extinct volcanoes and to a 50-meter-deep, water-filled crater. There are no facilities along the way, but there are good camping opportunities near Flourmill Creek.
Hobson Lake
The Hobson Lake Trail connects the northernmost of the park's great lakes to the Clearwater Azure Marine Area via a 15-kilometer, difficult, and poorly maintained hiking trail. Rental canoes are available at the north end of the trail at the south end of Hobson Lake to allow further exploration of the lake. There are no designated campsites, but when the water is low in August and September there are enough opportunities along the lake shore. The hike can only be done at low tide, as Lickskillet Creek has to be waded through.
Kostal Lake
Access to Kostal Lake and on to McDougall Lake can either be from Murtle Lake or from Clearwater Lake Campground, which leads over one of the most difficult hiking trails in the park. Up to Kostal Lake you have to cover 24 km over steep ramps, through marshy terrain and through thick bushes. In addition to a difficult-to-find campsite at Kostal Lake, another campsite is available about halfway. The 4 km long section to McDougall Lake, where there is another campsite, leads over a vegetation -free Aa lava river , the crossing of which requires suitable footwear.
Pyramid Mountain and Horseshoe Falls
This hiking trail leads from Pyramid Campground in the Wells Gray Corridor through the valley of the Murtle River to the Horseshoe Falls, a side trail climbs Pyramid Mountain - a Tuya , from where there is a great view of the southern part of the provincial park. There are two campsites, one north of Pyramid Mountain and one above Horseshoe Falls.
Stevens Lakes
In the eastern part of the park is the Stevens Lake chain, accessed via Forestry Service Roads north of Clearwater. First the trail heads north through subalpine tundras and then turns west to descend in switchbacks into the valley of Snookwa Creek. On the marshy lakeshore of the southernmost lake there is a possibility of camping on a small peninsula, on the lake there are canoes that can be used to explore the Stevens Lakes.
Green Mountains Canyonlands
The 40 km walk can be done as a circular hike between the Flat Iron Trailhead and the Whitehorse Bluffs Trailhead - both located in the Wells Gray Corridor. There are some good camps along this relatively easily accessible route in the southwest of the park and organized horse rides are available.
Battle Mountain
The 30-kilometer trail leads from a trailhead located on the main entrance to the park through the southern portion of the park. Steep climbs over loose scree pose the greatest challenge to hikers; at the campsite at Fight Lake Meadows there is even a refuge that can protect hikers from adverse weather conditions.
Web links
- Wells Gray Provincial Park . In: BC Geographical Names (English)
- Wells Gray Provincial Park . In: English language website of the park at BC Parks
- Information to the park on britishcolumbia.com (Engl.)
- Private side of the park with trail descriptions
- Wells Gray Provincial Park in the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution (English)
- Spektrum.de : Canada's largest cave - discovered by accident December 7, 2018
Individual evidence
- ↑ World Database on Protected Areas - Wells Gray Park (English)
- ^ Wells Gray Provincial Park - Master Plan. (PDF; 1.69 MB) British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks , February 1986, accessed on February 27, 2013 .
- ^ Ecosystems of British Columbia. (PDF; 9.85 MB) British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations , February 1991, accessed on February 27, 2013 .
- ↑ TreeBook. Vinemaple. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations , accessed February 27, 2013 .
- ↑ Ole Helmhausen: Hut hiking in Canada: Alone in the wild west . In: Spiegel Online . April 19, 2012