Canada magined - Wells Gray · for their hunting ability utilizing . many travel corridors and...

The Canada

You Imagined

WELLS GRAY

The Visitor’s Guide is published by Tourism Wells Gray250.674.3530 ext. 109wellsgray.ca

Welcome to

OUR STORY

Mushbowl Falls, one of the 39 named falls

throughout Wells Gray Provincial Park

where the wild things are — free of crowds, with plenty of wide, open spaces.

Imagine a place

OUR STORY

It’s where the Murtle and Clearwater Rivers roar and wildlife sightings are as common as sunrise and sunset. There’s room to breathe and to dream.

The place you imagine is Wells Gray, comprising the mountain communities

centered around Clearwater on the North Thompson River and Wells Gray National Park — 5,250 square kilometres (3,262 square miles) of alpine wilderness, borne from volcanoes and carved by glaciers. One of the most unique landscapes in all of B.C., where your days are measured in vertical feet, wildlife sightings and the number of waterfall shots on your camera.

It’s here, among old-growth interior rainforests and soaring mountain peaks that you’ll find serenity paddling Murtle Lake, North America’s largest canoe-only lake. A place where wildlife is so accessible you can watch in wonder as bears graze just meters away, where you can be drawn into the forest by the thunder of Helmcken Falls, and hike through a kaleidoscope of colour in the wildflower meadows of the Trophy Mountains.

Clearwater is your staging ground for pure wilderness adventures… camping, hiking, white-water rafting, canoeing or touring; by car, on foot, or from high in the saddle…

... in the Canada you imagined.

You may believe that Wells Gray is nothing more than forested mountains and wondrous waterfalls, but scratch beneath the surface of our forests

and mountains and you’ll uncover a history deeply rooted in First Nation mythology and pioneering legends.

Explore the Ray and Majerus wilderness homesteads. Witness the ravages of the Great Wells Gray Fire of 1926. Search out historic log houses and barns. Follow in the wake of the first Overlanders, rafting the North Thompson River.

Our heritage is not out of reach; it surrounds you the moment you step into the park!

Step out on almost any valley trail and you’re hiking (or snowshoeing) in the footsteps of the Simpcw First Nations people. A nomadic band, they travelled river’s edges hunting, fishing and gathering berries since before time was recorded. Discover Simpcw pictographs lining the shore at Mahood Lake. Fish for salmon along the Raft River, as our First Nations have always done. Search for remnants of ancient kekulis, now fading into the earth.

OUR CULTURE

The Simpcw are a division of the Secwepemc, or Shuswap, whose traditional territory encompasses approximately 5,000,000 hectares in

the North Thompson region, an area extending from just north of McLure to the headwaters of the Fraser River near McBride, to Tête Jeune Cache, over to Jasper and south to the headwaters of the Athabasca River. Archaeological studies have identified winter home sites and underground food cache sites at a variety of locations including Finn Creek, Vavenby, Birch Island, Clearwater, Litte Fort, Chu Chua, Barriere River, Louis Creek, Tête Jeune, and Jasper. Many ancestors of present band members lived in these winter villages or camps and evidence of life in earlier times can still be found at these ancestral village sites.

The Simpcw were traditionally noted for their hunting ability utilizing many travel corridors and trails. In the summer months much of their time was spent in hunting camps in the mountains above the North Thompson and upper Fraser Rivers. They relied solely on the land for food — both river systems provided salmon, which were caught in weirs, nets and by spear, then smoked or dried and stored for future consumption. Plants were used for medicine and food and preserved for use during the winter months. Other necessities were secured through active trading with other Nations and occasionally warfare would break out over natural resources. Simpcw people continue to honour and practice their traditional knowledge while learning and working in modern society.

Simpcw FirSt NatioNPeople of the North Thompson River

With nearly 700 members in the Simpcw First Nations, their mission statement reads:

"Simpcw are a culturally proud community, valuing healthy, holistic lifestyles based

upon respect, responsibility and continuous participation in growth and education.”

Well before the park was created, pioneering families staked their claim, cleared the land and built their

homesteads in the shadow of Pyramid Mountain. Long abandoned and now being reclaimed by the forest, you can still catch a glimpse of the Ray Family Farm and the Majerus Homesteads - both a short walk from the Clearwater Valley Road. Sun dappled trails wind through the forest leading to open meadows and relics of pioneer farms. You can only imagine the strength and determination it took those pioneers to make their homes a seven-day horse ride from civilization.

Follow in the hoof prints of our earliest explorers. Cross alpine meadows painted with wildflowers. Ride into the coolness of the forest on a hot summer day. Go for a gallop with a real cowboy. Hear the local legends that colour our history. At the end of the day, bed down in an authentic pioneer log cabin. Aveley Ranch, just north of Clearwater, is one of Canada’s oldest and largest working sheep ranches and an ideal spot for a secluded retreat in their heritage log cabins. You can live the life of a rancher herding sheep, hiking the alpine, milking cattle or lambing ewes.

OUR HERITAGE

WELLS GRAY PARKVOLCANIC FEATURES

VISIBLE IN THE PARK

52.3239° N |120.1497° W

LAKES = 200+

WATERFALLS:

39

VISITORS

100,000EACH YEAR

5,250 SQUAREKILOMETRES

OF WILDERNESS

AVERAGE TEMPSUMMER/FALL WINTER/SPRING

22° -5° CELSIUS CELCIUS

SKI, BIKE, HIKE

100

OVER

KMOF GROOMED TRAILS

MURTLE LAKE = NORTH AMERICA’S

LARGEST CANOE ONLY LAKE

TROPHY MOUNTAINS

SOAR TO

2,575mABOVE THE

S H U S W A P

H I G H L A N D

WHERE THE WILDLIFE LIVES

22 VOLCANOES

THE PARK

"What you're going to get in Wells Gray Park is truly an

authentic experience. Whether you're looking for high or soft adventure, white water rafting

or a scenic canoe trip

- you're going to find it here."

100

TRAVEL STYLE

CULTURAL EXPLORERS

Living like a local is your motto on vacation. Nothing makes you happier than getting away from it all and completely immersing yourself in the culture, history and lifestyle of wherever you travel.

For the Cultural Explorer we suggest catching a glimpse of life as a homesteader by hiking through the Ray Family Farm and the Majerus Homestead.

NO HASSLEYour idea of a great vacation is simply hanging out with the people you love. You don’t need to travel for weeks at a time – short getaways are the name of your travel game.

For the No Hassle traveller we suggest donning a life vest and floating the afternoon away along the North Thompson River. Soak up the sun on the beaches of Dutch Lake or take a cruise with Clearwater Lake Tours.

AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCERS

In travel as in life, you like the “real deal”! Exploring beautiful landscapes and taking in the cultural experiences of a destination. You like to use all your senses when out exploring and really get to know the place you’re visiting.

For the Authentic Experiencer we suggest connecting with your fellow travellers and enjoy a meal right from a chuck wagon or paddle Murtle Lake and camp along its shores.

FAMILYWells Gray Park is the perfect travel destination for families – there’s fun for all ages. Create family connections while chatting around a campfire or swimming in the afternoon heat.

Discover where the wild things are and embark on a guided wilderness tour with a local wildlife expert at your side.

Choose your vacation style - are you serene or extreme?

No matter your preference there's an adventure for you in Wells Gray.

Not sure of your travel type? Take our quiz.

Download a QR code reader from your App store

EXPLORE

There’s no place on earth quite like Wells Gray Park with our volcanic fields, glacier fed lakes, wildflower-strewn meadows, jagged mountain peaks, and storybook waterfalls.

Summer or winter, the number of ways you can explore Wells Gray and Clearwater are only limited by your imagination and the time left in your vacation. Sample as much or as little as time will allow – all 5,250 square kilometres of untamed, wilderness fun.

Choose your favourite adventures then come out to play...

in the Canada you imagined.

Play

SUMMER/FALL

A HIKER’S HAVENRife with all sorts of wildlife, Wells Gray just begs to be explored on two feet with a backpack and camera in hand. From a simple stroll along the Clearwater or Murtle Rivers to multi-day treks high above the alpine, this region is a hiker’s haven offering choices for every skill level. All of our hikes are through dense wilderness trails or high alpine meadows and each has been categorized by difficulty level – be sure to learn before you go and be prepared.

WALK THROUGH HISTORYWell before the park was created, pioneering families staked their claim, cleared the land and built their homesteads in the shadow of Pyramid Mountain. Long abandoned and now being reclaimed by the forest, you can still catch a glimpse of the Ray Family Farm and the Majerus Homestead.

ALPINE MEADOWSIf you’re after something a little more challenging, try the Trophy Mountain alpine meadows, a 45-minute hike through an old growth rainforest. One moment you’re deep in the trees and the next you’re standing in a rainbow of colour surrounded by blooming wildflowers.

HUT-TO-HUTFor an alpine adventure you can only dream of, indulge in a guided hut-to-hut hiking experience for a full dose of off-the-grid splendour. Three, five and seven day excursions above the tree-line will have you climbing peaks, swimming in high-alpine lakes, napping in wildflower meadows and bedding down in wilderness cabins, making memories and friends along the way.

INTERPRETIVEYou can easily explore the park on your own, but to understand the history, geology and wildlife that make up Wells Gray, you may want to hike with a local naturalist. Learn the fascinating history of the park’s waterfalls, flower meadows, volcanic fields and mountain peaks on full and half-day treks and you’ll be inspired to head out on your own trails of discovery.

SUMMER/FALL

Watch in awe as black bears graze by the roadsides. Count vibrant red spawning salmon swimming up Bailey’s Chute waterfall every August.

Spot massive moose roaming snow-covered meadows.

Embark on guided wilderness tours to view bears, deer, wolves, beavers, and 250 species of birdlife. Our boundless wilderness and diverse ecosystem means there’s no shortage of wildlife. Enjoy all of it without admission, feeding times or fences.

We can’t predict where the wildlife will roam…they just naturally appear on the banks of the Clearwater and Murtle Rivers as you paddle past, in wildflower meadows as you climb mountain trails, or floating in thermal updrafts over lakes and campsites.

Where the Wild Things Are

SUMMER/FALL

Paddle into untouched landscapes. Glide along Murtle Lake, the largest paddle-only lake in North America, and discover its many beautiful sandy beaches. Several of the lakes in Wells Gray are ringed with small shoreline campsites with picnic tables, bear-proof food safes and outhouses: most have sandy beaches, and offer good family swimming and all the peace and quiet you crave. This is canoe camping at its best where the only sounds you’ll hear are the wind on the trees, the splash of your fishing line and the sound of dinner sizzling in your frying pan.

CANOEING & KAYAKING

WHITEWATER RAFTINGPaddle churning white water rapids. Float along a slow running river or ride a watery rollercoaster of chutes, volcanic canyons and flats. Kick back, relax and keep your eyes peeled for eagles, bears and high-jumping salmon. Experience an epic adventure that sets your pulse racing.

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SUMMER/FALL

No Ordinary Day in the Park

MOUNTAIN BIKINGMountain biking in Wells Gray is no ordinary ride in the park! We like to think we’re on the cutting-edge of old-school mountain biking, where tree roots and fallen rocks replace park rails and jams. Saddle up for a self-guided free ride or join a guided excursion on an integrated trail system.

TOP 8 MOUNTAIN RIDES IN WELLS GRAYCandle Creek Nordic trails – 32 kilometres of forest loops

Green Mountain Road – 3.6 kilometre steep climb to the lookout tower

Blackwater, Stillwater, McLeod Hill and South Murtle Trails – 30 kilometres of

muddy-tire surprises

Clearwater River Road – Beautiful mountain vistas, moderate ride

Majerus Falls – Full day of hardcore riding, topped off with waterfalls

Spahats Valley Road – Follow and old logging road deep into the mountains

Raft River Forest Road – A free ride you won’t want to end

Whitehorse Bluffs Trail – Drink in views of Clearwater River & Green Mountain

SUMMER/FALL

CHASING WATERFALLS & VOLCANOESUncover the mystical places that romantics, adventurers and photographers come here to find!

Born of volcanoes and carved by glaciers. Layered by time and the elements. Discover one of the most unique ecosystems in all of British Columbia: volcanic fields, ancient lava beds and some of the best fly-fishing in the Park. Follow the paths of receding glaciers, where Trophy Mountain’s alpine meadows now burst with colour in summer. Climb extinct volcanoes. Revel in a wilderness playground 3.5 million years in the making.

Fire and ice created the waterfalls, rivers, lakes and mountains you see today. Volcanic eruptions followed by periods of great cooling created layer upon layer of volcanic rock, some more than 150 ft above the valley floor. Retreating glaciers followed, flooding rivers and lakes, creating the adventure-fuelled playground you find today.

The park has 39 named waterfalls

Moul Falls

SUMMER/FALL

Helmcken Falls – Plunging 141 metres to the canyon below, Helmcken Falls is the fourth highest waterfall in Canada.

Spahats Creek Falls – Formed from volcanic rock deposits centuries ago, Spahats Falls plunges into a startling canyon.

Moul Falls - A one-hour hike through the forest delivers you to the top of the falls. Continue to the base to experience the waterfall from behind the rush of water.

Dawson Falls – A 10 minute hike through an old growth forest lets you watch water cascade over 200,000 year old lava beds.

Mushbowl – Just downstream from Dawson Falls, watch the

TOP 8 WATERFALLS IN WELLS GRAYMurtle River split in two as it makes its way around Cambrian rock formations. Silvertip Falls – At 168 metres, this is one of the tallest falls in Wells Gray Park, hidden under Trophy Mountain.

Sylvia Falls – A gorgeous hike from the Clearwater River Road delivers you to this upper cascade on the Mahood River.

Goodwin Falls – The same hike will deliver you to the lower cascade on the Mahood River.

Helmcken Falls Silvertip Falls

SUMMER

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the Wells GrayTop 20

Visit Helmcken Falls – the fourth highest waterfall in Canada

Hike the Trophy Mountain wildflower meadows

Adventure the easy way on a family-friendly river float down the North Thompson

Rekindle your love of nature by camping under the stars

Gear up for the river trip of a lifetime and go whitewater rafting in Wells Gray Park

Discover life above the tree line on a guided hiking expedition

Explore Murtle Lake the only way you’re allowed, by canoe (access via Blue River)

Marvel at the sight of bears feeding by the roadsides in spring

Cool off in the mist of Moul Falls

Hike with a local guide to learn about the Park’s history, geology and wild wonders

Explore Wells Gray from high in the saddle on a guided horseback adventure

Visit the Clearwater Trout Hatchery and see how they are raised and released – free

Fish for salmon and trout – drink in the glories of the great outdoors while you wait for something to bite

Visit the Clearwater Farmers Market 9am-12pm every Saturday in the summer (June-October)

Watch the returning salmon navigate the waterfall at Baileys Chute in Wells Gray Park

Discover Dawson Falls – a 10 minute hike through an old growth forest lets you watch water cascade over 200,000 year old lava beds

Lie in the fields and gaze at the vaste expanse of stars. Count the falling stars!

Take to the trails: Blackwater, Stillwater, McLeod Hill and South Murtle Trails – 30 kilometres of muddy-tire mountain biking surprises

Walk through history to the Ray Family Farm, one of our last remaining pioneer homesteads and bubbling mineral spring

Reward your efforts with local food and drink at the end of the day

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ACTIVITIES

NORTH AMERICA’SLARGEST CANOE-ONLY LAKE

OVER 75KM OF H O R S ER I D I N GT R A I L SS

KA

TIN

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k m

W H I T EW A T E R

RAFTING

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ON CLEARWATER RIVER

30 k m

MOUNTAINBIKING

N O R D I C

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35

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O V E R2 0 k mSNOWSHOEINGT R A I L S

WINTER/SPRING

WELLS GRAYAdventure

Breathe in the crisp, cold air. Feel snow crunch beneath your boots.

Listen to snowflakes fall on your jacket. Marvel at mountains and trees sparkling under a blanket of snow and a bright blue sky. It feels as though you have the whole place to yourself. This is winter in Wells Gray and Clearwater, one of our best-kept secrets.

We know winter. We should – we have six months of it! In a land created by cold and ice, we have plenty of ways to work up a sweat. Embrace the chill. Carve fresh tracks over new fallen snow. Ski tour the backcountry from hut to hut, to hut. Cosy up by a fire. Watch moose migrate through distant meadows. Savour the solitude of Wells Gray in the off-season between November and April.

Experience winter in its purest form.

WINTER/SPRING

It’s perfectly fitting that Wells Gray Park in Canada’s Great White North offers some of BC’s finest nordic skiing. We know snow, after all – we get between

three and four metres of fine white powder each year! Explore more than 100 kilometres of groomed and tracked trails, or create your own path in our untracked backcountry and conquer winter in true Canadian style.

For those that prefer a calmer experience, ski or snowshoe four different trail systems in Wells Gray. Candle Creek Trails – a 25 kilometre track-set trail, perfect for all levels. The 30 kilometre Murtle River Trail that winds along the river to the Majerus Homestead and beyond. Green Mountain’s groomed 18 kilometre trail features far-reaching scenes of Clearwater Lake, Whitehorse Bluffs and the mists of Helmcken Falls.

If adrenaline is the name of your game, gear up for an adventure that’s inaccessible to most – ski touring the park’s backcountry on a guided hut-to-hut adventure. Arrive in the legendary Trophy Mountains in pure backcountry style atop a Snowcat. Strap on your skis and take off, carving your signature into champagne powder on untouched slopes.

WINTER WILDLIFE WATCHINGOur boundless wilderness and diverse ecosystem means there’s no shortage of wildlife, even in winter. A sled-dog expedition puts you within reach of trophy size moose, coyotes, wolves and deer roaming free between snow-covered forests and vast rangelands throughout the winter. Watch in silent wonder; fill up your camera’s memory card. Realize that this wilderness adventure is reserved for those who seek a truly Canadian experience.

Canada's Great White North

TOP 10 REASONS TO SKI WELLS GRAY• Legendary snowshoeing trails on B.C. powder

• Over 100 kilometres of groomed and tracked trails – a different course each day!

• Challenge yourself skiing hut-to-hut

• Savour the serenity found above the tree line in the Trophies

• Learn how to ski the backcountry in single day clinics

• Witness wildlife

• Ski un-crowded alpine, daytime or night

• See Helmcken Falls transformed into a giant ice cone

• Enjoy incredible views, wide-open spaces and the majesty of winter

• Experience a truly Canadian winter

ACCOMMODATIONS

FULL SERVICE

RESORTS

CABINS+

CHALETS

GUEST ROOMS

397 B&B’s

296

TWO SANI- DUMPSTATIONS

HOTELS HOSTELS

2 6 4F U L L HOOK-UPS I T E S

REGISTERED CAMP & RV SITES

AMPOUT

236

RANCHESTHREE 725

PROVINCIALPARKS

2252

LAKESIDE SITES

RV

SIT

ES

784

WHERE TO STAY

The right place to stay can turn a good vacation into a great vacation. Finding a place in Wells Gray might seem easy. Making your choice is

where it gets hard.

ROADSIDE HOTELS & MOTELS

Whether it’s the midway point of your road trip or the end of a day filled with Wells Gray adventures – you’ll need to rest up before carrying on. Know that the welcome mat is always out at our roadside hotels and motels; offering comfortable, clean and affordable accommodations.

RANCH STAYSIndulge your inner-cowboy with a stay at a western guest ranch. Each ranch offers a unique experience to slip away from your workday world and into the old west. Whether you’re looking for a place to rest up after a day of discovery or seeking the full cowboy experience, there’s a ranch stay option that’s just right for you.

B&Bs/INNSStay with descendants of our earliest pioneers. Unwind with wildlife right outside your window. Share stories of your daily adventures with fellow travellers you’ll meet over breakfast. Make yourself at home at our family-owned B&Bs and country inns.

CAMPING & RVingFall asleep to the music of a rushing river. Wake-up with the sun peaking through your tent flap. Disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect with the natural world and with each other. Make camp by the river, by the lake or in the shadow of mountains. There’s no better way to experience our backyard wilderness than to pitch a tent (or park an RV) in it.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

WHERE TO EAT

Fuel your hunger exploring the wonders of Wells Gray. Feed your appetite in town. When it comes to where to eat Clearwater’s pubs, restaurants

and cafes can satisfy your cravings. Scones straight out of the oven. Deli sandwiches to eat on the trail. Indulge in traditional Kansas-style BBQ. Romantic, lakeside dinners for two. Sushi Wednesdays. Hungry yet?

Bring Your Appetite

EATS & DRINKS

RESTAURANTS8

WAFFLESTAND

SPORTS

B A R SCAFE’S & COFFEE S H O P S

TW

O

DIN

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FAST FOOD2

52

1

TREAT YOUR TASTE BUDS

Treat your taste buds to authentic Canadian fare...with more than just a little international influence. Don’t be surprised to find Schnitzel on our menus – it’s a local favourite. If it’s Wednesday and you’re craving a taste of Japan, stop by the Strawberry Moose Snackery where sushi’s just been made.

Watch water lilies floating steps away from your table. Listen to loons calling as the sun goes down. Make a reservation in advance and celebrate special occasions at the Painted Turtle Restaurant on Dutch Lake. For equally delicious fare, stop by the Hop ‘N’ Hog Tap and Smokehouse and sample a local beer.

REMOTE OUTPOSTS – DINING IN THE PARK

The park’s vast size makes dining on anything other than a campfire challenging but not impossible. The Osprey Café on the shores of Clearwater Lake serves homemade cakes and a warm “cuppa” (tea, coffee and more) to guests seasonally in the summer. You can watch the parade of hummingbirds flit and fly past your window seat while dining at Helmcken Falls Lodge, a rustic restaurant just outside the park throughout the year. And if you’re looking for a casual western BBQ then make reservations at the Black Horse Saloon, where the grill master at Wells Gray Guest Ranch serves up healthy portions of B.C. salmon and more.

PROVISIONS FOR THE PARKHow do you fuel 5,250 square kilometres of postcard worthy wilderness and adventure? You do it with amenities like restaurants, a grocery store, and a seasonal Farmers Market accessible from the nearby town of Clearwater, the Gateway to Wells Gray. Make sure you stock up before you venture into the park

wellsgray.ca

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Adventure

Canada magined - Wells Gray · for their hunting ability utilizing . many travel corridors and...

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