|
Wells
Gray Provincial Park
Spectacular Backcountry in British Colombia
©
Outdoor Adventure Canada
 Wells
Gray Provincial Park, named after Wellesley Gray (BC Minister
of Lands in the 1930's) is located in British Columbia between
Kamloops and the BC-Alberta border, not far from Clearwater. Wells
Gray is a large park, spanning 540, 000 hectares which is about
1.9 million acres, and has much to offer for outdoor enthusiasts.
Although paddling is among the main pursuits because Wells Gray
is part of the Clearwater watershed, there are also wonderful
hiking and backpacking opportunities.
Wells Gray
hosts more than fourty sites that were home to First Nations cultures
in ancient times, some dating back 5,000 years. Shuswap (Sepwepeme)
Indians battled with the Chilcotins over caribou hunting grounds
and most of the archaeological sites in Wells Gray belong to the
Shuswap tribe. Evidence of native presence can be found in the
pictographs of Mahood Lake. The area was explored by railway surveyors
and then became busy with gold prospectors late in the nineteenth
century, following that, farming was attempted. In the early part
of the 1900's great waterfalls were discovered and in 1939 the
area was made into a park.
There are
many waterfalls in Wells Gray making it known as "the waterfall
park". The impressive Helmcken falls it the fourth largest
in the country and was discovered in 1913. Water plummets 142
metres or 466 feet into the river below. The Helmcken Falls Rim
Trail is only 8 km and can be hiked in a day.
The Horseshoe
Falls Trail can be combined with the Pyramid Mountain Trail for
a multi-day excursion. This route is an arduous one even though
it is only 34 km (21 miles) round trip. Wilderness campsites can
be found at the top of waterfall.
The Flourmills
Trail has wilderness camping in a beautiful meadow. The campsite
isn't far from a pretty creek. The Flourmill is an extinct volcano
and there is a lake at the base of a 50 meter deep volcanic crater.
The trail is 25 km return and would make a nice weekend backpacking
trip.
 If
you are interested in wildflowers and mountain lakes then Wells
Gray is the place to be. The Trophy Mountain area is ideal for
a wildflower walk. Wildflower meadows are plentiful in Wells Gray
and are most beautiful in the late summer months. A trip in the
Battle Mountain area is rugged and strenuous, but the scenery
makes the work worthwhile. There are alpine huts available through
a local company, Wells Gray Chalets & Wilderness Adventures.
Speaking of
Wells Gray Chalets & Wilderness Adventures, what better way
to explore the area than with a guided hut to hut hike? Wells
Gray Chalets & Wilderness Adventures, run by Ian Eakins and
Tay Briggs, offers many different opportunities. The Wells Gray
Traverse is a 3 to 7 day trip that includes your guides, your
stay at wilderness cabins, and all meals. The advantage of hut
to hut hiking, beyond the obvious benefits of a guided trip, is
an environmental one as it reduces impact on the region.
Both Ian and Tay are experienced guides. Ian has spent twenty
years as a mountain guide and has taken many groups into the Himalayas.
Tay was raised in the Wells Gray area and is a well informed naturalist.
Wells Gray Chalets & Wilderness Adventures has been in operation
since 1988.
No matter
how you choose to explore Wells Gray Provincial Park you will
be rewarded with spectacular scenery, beautiful wildflowers and
pristine mountain lakes. Wells Gray is a backpacker's paradise.
For more information
on Wells Gray Provincial Park please visit the Park
website.
Special thanks
to Tay Briggs for her assistance. Please visit the Wells
Gray Chalets & Wilderness Adventures website for more
information on their Hut to Hut Hikes and other adventures.
For more articles
please view the archives.
|
