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Wells Gray Provincial ParkJun 9, 2009
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Clearwater River in the canyon
Spahats Falls
Snow still doen below
Wells Gray Provincial Park was established in 1939 and covers a total land area of 1.4 million acres making it the fourth largest of British Columbia’s Provincial Parks. From Clearwater (our base) we drove the Clearwater Valley Road which runs through the central area of the park.
Our first stop was to walk the short trail to the Spahats Falls and the 120 meter volcanic canyon. Deep we could still see snow still on the river bed. We then drove a short distance where we got a great view of the Clearwater Valley.
We then headed further north to the Green Mountain passing a rather nice waterfall by the side of the road. After driving the rather steep narrow road to Green Mountain we got magnificent views of the south portion of the Park but oh the mosquitoes were out in force so we didn’t stop to long!
Our next stop was Dawson Falls where the water was pounding over the falls. With the snow melt the water was at full flow. We would not have liked to have got caught in the water. As we walked along the trail by the falls we met a couple from England who were on holiday exploring the Canadian Rockies.
Our next stop was Helmeken Falls which is considered the most spectacular falls in the park. Here the water over time has carved out a huge bowl in the surrounding rock. The force of the water from the falls was unbelievable.
Our final stop was at Bailey’s Chute where we looked over an extreme whitewater section of the Clearwater River. Also along the path to the viewing platform we found a last stand of cedar trees. Most of the cedars in the Park were destroyed in a spectacular fire in 1926, but this group of cedars survived the flames. We also learnt that in the fall, salmon try to climb the falls and after several attempts the current brings them to gravel beaches where they finally lay and die.
A great day with some spectacular waterfalls.