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British Columbia | Wells Gray Provincial Park

Posted on: February 12th, 2012

Wells Gray and Clearwater

This is one of the most unique areas you will ever visit! Wells Gray Provincial Park is over 5000 km2, hosts 56 species of mammals, 219 species of bird and 700 species of flowering plants!

Add this to the fascinating volcanic history of the area, and the result is a bid for the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Status!

Not only that, but Wells Gray is home to Canada’s most extensive alpine flower meadows, several of BC’s most beautiful waterfalls, including the world famous Helmcken Falls, and the world’s largest non-motorized lakes — Murtle Lake.

All-in-all, Wells Gray is the best combination of wilderness and outdoor activities you will find on your holiday.

Wells Gray and Clearwater is located on Highway #5, south of Jasper and north of Kamloops.

Watch the mouth watering videos we’re presenting you here, let’s call it your next experience!

 

Want to know more: www.WellsGray.ca

Wells Gray history

The human history of Wells Gray Country is often seen as two tales. The first being the tale of the First Nations who lived here for thousands of years. The other being the European settlers who arrived within the past century. The combination of these two influences has shaped much of what is seen here today.

First Nations, Ancient Ways
Wells Gray Country was, for some 10,000 years, home primarily to the Simpcw First Nations of the Secwepemc (or Shuswap) Nation. Their semi-nomadic ways of hunting, fishing and gathering had evolved to match the annual rhythms of nature by moving with the seasons and the timing of caribou and salmon migration.

Like so many ancient cultures, their values and lifestyle recognised their dependency on their natural surroundings, and taught a deep respect for their environment and the ways in which it provided for their people.

 

Winter settlements were based on the keekwilli, a round pit-house with an earth-covered roof. This made a warm, secure home through the cold weather. Signs of these may be found throughout the area, most particularly in the North Thompson River Provincial Park. During the hot summers, woven reed-mats were used to build cool and airy lodges. Over 50 archaeological sites have been found in the area, including pictographs on the shores of Mahood Lake.

The first European surveyors, trappers, and prospectors arrived in the early 1800s. Many of these were positive meetings, others much less so. The newcomers introduced foreign diseases, and many First Nation people died of smallpox, measles and other illnesses. They also traded goods which were later to be seen as unwelcome, such as firearms and whiskey.

One of the most damaging influences was the way in which foreign values and standards were imposed on an ancient, enduring and entirely sustainable First Nation lifestyle.

Despite these pressures, the Secwepemc people preserve a vibrant and thriving culture, and remain a unique and important presence in the North Thompson.

Overlanders & Pioneers

The first Europeans to arrive in the area were fur-trappers in the early 19th century. They traveled up the North Thompson River from the outpost at Kamloops, interacting with the native Secwepemc as they travelled.

These first European explorers noted the point where a river with very clear water flowed into the sediment-laden North Thompson as Fourche de l’Eau Claire. This tributary subsequently became known as the Clearwater River.

Later, in the mid-1800s, large numbers of prospectors arrived, lured by the promise of riches from the Cariboo Gold-Rush. In 1862 a group known as ‘The Overlanders’ passed through the area on their way to the Cariboo, having journeyed from Ontario by way of Winnipeg and Edmonton. At Tete Jaune Cache, some of the party continued down the Fraser River. The remainder (including pregnant women and young children) made the extraordinarily arduous journey by wooden raft down the wild North Thompson River to “Fort Kamloops”.

The first European settlement was established in the early 1900s, and known initially as Raft River. Birch Island was a busy centre for some time due to the location being the northern most navigable limit for steamers used for the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway. This was an age of trappers, prospectors and homesteaders, signs may still be seen in the form of small log cabins falling slowly into ruin. However, several farms established in this era are still thriving today. An example is the Aveley Ranch in Vavenby, now one of the largest sheep-farms in Canada.

In time, the villages of Clearwater, Vavenby, and Birch Island became well-established, based mainly on income from logging and lumber. In recent years, a more diverse economy has evolved, with tourism now playing an important role.

Volcanoes | Wells Gray Country is home to some internationally significant volcanic features.

Some of the features were formed underneath icecaps during the last ice age, giving them unique geological properties. The incredible amounts of melt-water given off by the receding glaciers at the end of the last ice-age cut deep valleys in the lava beds and formed stunning waterfalls throughout the area. There is a movement afoot to recognize the incredible geology and volcanic landscape of the area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field began forming approximately 3,500,000 years ago and has grown steadily since then. The tectonic causes of volcanism that have produced the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field is not yet clear, and are therefore a matter of ongoing research.

Most of the Wells Gray-Clearwater volcanic field is encompassed within Wells Gray Provincial Park. This 540,000 ha (1,334,369 acre) park was established in 1939 because of the volcanic field’s beauty. A single road enters the park, but from it, a number of the field’s volcanic features can be viewed. Short hikes lead to several volcanic features, however there are some areas accessible only by aircraft.

Want to know more about Wells Gray and Clearwater: www.WellsGray.ca
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Wells Gray Provincial Park now featured

Posted on: February 12th, 2012

We’ve just added a new page to Experience The Mountain Parks website: Wells Gray and Clearwater, British Columbia.

Wells_Gray_Screenshot

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Ice walk at the Columbia Icefield

Posted on: February 6th, 2012

Want to try something else? As stated on Ice Walk website you’ll be welcome to a world where snow and ice, rock and sky, dominate the land. A world where nature rules, where humans look in awe!
Read More

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Talking about crazy Canucks eh!?

Posted on: February 3rd, 2012

As they put it: “A crew of four brave souls, two motorcycles and support, battle the elements, and their own wits, as they cross northern Canada to Tuktoyaktuk. 10,000 kilometres of winter conditions, ice roads and mind numbing adventure. This is: The North.”
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Kanada, Albertas Schönste Nationalparks | Canada – Alberta’s most beautiful “national” parks

Posted on: January 28th, 2012

The video we’re showing you here is the one Bob “tweeted” about on January 25, 2012.This is a 27 min. on Alberta Parks (not all nationals though, as they are highlighting Alberta Provincial Parks as well) from south to north. It was aired on ARD a premium German TV Channel on January 15, 2012.

Sorry, we don’t have the English translation, but the storyline says: “When you hear the name Banff and Jasper you think imposing mountains, turquoise lakes and on gigantic glaciers. Every year it attracts thousands of people in the finest National Parks of Canada. They come to hike, to rafting, cruising with their bikes or just to enjoy the incredible vastness and silence of the Rocky Mountains.”
Enjoy!!

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Send us your best shot of Will & Kate, the Royal Couple and you could win a $200 gift certificate!

Posted on: January 27th, 2012

We’ll be awarding a Heli Tour $200 gift certificate to the best shot of Will & Kate touring Alberta in 2011. Submission deadline is February 3, 2012.

Heli_Tours_Photo

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2011/2012 Photos and Videos Contest Reminder

Posted on: January 24th, 2012

Our contest is not over yet. February 29, 2012 is the deadline!
We’ve uploaded more of your submissions and there are still submissions to be uploaded to our website here. Read More

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The Canadian Badlands

Posted on: January 23rd, 2012

Erosion has been very significant in the Drumheller Valley, effectively turning back the hands of time, allowing us to peek into the past, as it was 65–75 million years ago. It is the very reason why there have been so many fossil finds in this region; the bones have been exposed to the surface once again.

Dry_Island_Buffalo_PP
Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park

Residents have embraced their heritage, calling Drumheller the “Dinosaur Capital of the World!” A giant T. rex towers over their visitor centre. Known as the “World’s Largest Dinosaur”, the larger than life T. rex stands 86 feet tall. Open year-round, for a small admission fee, visitors can climb the giant T. rex and admire the badlands vista from inside the gaping jaws. Just remember to bring along your camera!
World_Largest_Dinosaur
World’s largest dinosaur

Drumheller (Drum) is home to 2 of the 9 sites identified on Alberta’s Fossil Trail and makes a wonderful base for your dino adventure.
Horseshoe_Canyon

Horseshoe Canyon

One of these sites is the unique Horseshoe Canyon, located 16 km west of Drum on Hwy #9. The bands of multi-coloured mudstones, coal beds and rock represent times of major climactic and environmental changes that would have greatly affected both plants and animals. For a better view, take the helicopter ride, or take a walk along the canyon trails.

The other site is the world-famous Royal Tyrrell Museum, located just 6 km northwest of Drumheller, on the north leg of The Dinosaur Trail, a 48 km loop heading northwest out of Drum. The Tyrrell`s Dinosaur Hall offers one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaur skeletons. Experience the underwater world of prehistoric creatures in the Burgess Shale and watch as staff members prepare fossils in the lab. Expect to linger here for 2-4 hours.

The Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park is located 18 km east of Huxley, on Hwy #21, about 75 minutes northwest of Drum, and to the west of the Red Deer River. It too is one of the nine sites that make up Alberta`s Fossil Trail. From early May to late October, you can get there via the Bleriot Ferry which has been in operation since 1913. Dry Island represents the northern end of the Canadian Badlands. Rangelands collide with 50-metre cliffs on the banks of the Red Deer River. Autumn landscapes are particularly stunning.

Back in Drum, explore the Fossil World Discovery Centre and Reptile World. There are many dining delights in Drumheller; if you like Greek, the Athens Restaurant will not disappoint. The Hoodoo Trail (Hwy #10) takes you southeast to several attractions including the Hoodoos (16 km) and the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site (24 km).

Next up, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best kept secrets in Canada! Dinosaur Provincial Park contains the highest concentration of late Cretaceous fossils in the world. Much of this park is only accessible with a guide, so reserve your programs in advance to avoid disappointment. Phone 403-378-4344.

Dinosaur_Provincial_Park

Dinosaur Provincial Park

From the Atlas, take Secondary Hwy #570 east through Dorothy, until it merges with Hwy #876 taking you south to Dinosaur Provincial Park. A longer route with better roads is south on Hwy #56 from Drum to Hwy #1, making your way east to Patricia.

Our next destination is Warner, Alberta, but you may want to take a side trip to Medicine Hat (The Hat) first for supplies. If you take this side trip, follow Hwy #1, and pay particular attention to the cliffs along the South Saskatchewan River in The Hat. Here, fossils from animals and plants have been found giving evidence that over the past million years, sabretoothed cats, giant sloths, mammoths, and even American lions have lived in this locale. To get to Warner from Medicine Hat, take the Crowsnest Hwy (#3) west to Taber and #36 south.

If you head directly to Warner from Dinosaur Provincial Park, get onto Hwy #36 and follow it straight south til you get there and the home of the Devil’s Coulée Dinosaur Heritage Museum. This museum contains ancient fossils, dinosaur models and a mural depicting a hadrosaur (a duck-billed dinosaur) caring for its nest.
Devils_Coulee_Museum

Devil’s Coulée Dinosaur Heritage Museum

You may wonder why hadrosaurs lived in such an arid climate, but remember millions of years ago, the prairies was covered by the Western Interior Seaway. This body of water stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean! As the water gradually receded, ancient Alberta’s balmy climate produced lush forests, wetlands and coastal plains, an environment wellsuited for a duck-billed dinosaur.

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2011 Contest Submissions

Posted on: January 23rd, 2012

If you’d like to have your photos or videos considered for our 2011 Contest, please use this form to upload your files.
Please make sure to 
get a look at our 2011/2012 submissions here.

Allow 24 to 48 hours for review and approval.
Please keep in mind your photos might be optimized according to best practices for Web display.
Please make sure you send us your photos descriptions, dates and locations. This year we’re introducing four categories; flowers and wildlife | landscapes and sunsets | friends and family | videos.

Good luck all!!

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Avalanche awareness and education website

Posted on: January 22nd, 2012

Definitely worth checking BEFORE heading to the mountains, this website is full of information on avalanches, photos and videos. Great website!!

Avalanche_Site_Thumb

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