Hosting 5 major lakes, 2 large river systems, 3 front-country camping areas, 12 backcountry campsites, and numerous small lakes, streams, waterfalls, and river rapids, Wells Gray Provincial Park is an adventurer’s dream destination. With the diverse landscape, climate and terrain, it suits the most demanding backpacker, mountaineer, climber, paddler, and campers.
Since 1986, BC Parks has maintained and improved the Clearwater Corridor, named the “Road to Adventure” by BC Parks themselves. The “Road to Adventure” is described as the “all-season jumping-off place for trips into more remote parts of Wells Gray.” boasting 68-kilometers of joy for any outdoor enthusiast.
Over the last 40 years, BC Parks has implemented extensive systems, resources, and planning to ensure Wells Gray is equipped to host outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. A few notable benchmark systems and policies include hosting the world’s largest non-motorized lake, 200+ kilometers of maintained hiking trails, and zoning 85% of the park for wilderness management. To facilitate ongoing adventure in the park, BC Parks has continued to improve front-country and backcountry trail systems leading to various adventure opportunities and points of interest including waterfalls, river systems, and huts to provide accommodations for hikers. An example of this is the trail systems leading to Helmcken Falls, the park’s most iconic and famous falls.
By maintaining trails throughout the year, visitors are able to view the falls by a short hike from the parking lot. More experienced adventurers can hike behind the falls year-round depending on weather and trail conditions.
When the park first opened, in order to access activities in the northern parts of the park, visitors had to travel west towards 100 Mile House and then access the park via a gravel road; even then, access to the more northern parts of this wilderness wonderland was not available by vehicle, but rather foot, horseback or boat ride in. One of the main improvements by BC Parks has been installing and maintaining a bridge over what is known as the Mushbowl. This installment allows for visitors to arrive at the park faster, and access more activities for everyone.
In addition to maintaining trails and building infrastructure, BC Parks has developed many trailheads, and smaller trails leading to water adventure. The most notable, and largest, is the boat launch at Clearwater Lake, however, access is only available here in the summer as the road gets gated off and unmaintained past the Helmcken Falls parking lot. Many other smaller trails to river access for white water kayakers and rafters have been developed in the southern parts of the park, allowing access year-round. While just about every class of moving water can be found in the park, it is a playground for the most experienced adventurer and those who pay guides to take them to tame the white water. By allowing guiding outfitters to operate in the park, BC Parks has made the rivers more accessible to outdoor enthusiasts.
Right: A class 3 rapid beside the launch spot provided by BC Parks
Through maintaining trails, building infrastructure, and partnering with local guiding outfitters, BC Parks has done a fantastic job at allowing, and enticing adventurers to explore this park. The more that these facilities and systems are used by visitors, the harder BC Parks will work to maintain and improve them for future generations to use.