Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area

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Purcell Wilderness Conservancy
Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area
LeaningTowersPWCPPPA.jpg
The Leaning Towers Group
Location Purcells, Columbia Mountains
Nearest city Argenta, British Columbia, Invermere, British Columbia
Coordinates 50°09′00″N116°32′00″W / 50.15000°N 116.53333°W / 50.15000; -116.53333 Coordinates: 50°09′00″N116°32′00″W / 50.15000°N 116.53333°W / 50.15000; -116.53333
Area202,709 hectares (500,900 acres)
Established1974
Governing bodyProvince of British Coulumbia

The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy (full name Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area) is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It was established in 1974, and encompasses six large drainages in the Purcell Mountains in the southeast of the province. [2] It contains high peaks, alpine meadows and ridges, deep creek and river valleys, and hot springs at Dewar Creek. [3]

Contents

History

The northern part of the park covers an important historical trade and transportation route used by First Nations people for centuries, linking the Rocky Mountain Trench and Kootenay Lake via Toby Pass. Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey, Governor General of Canada, traveled the trail in 1908, after which it was named in his honour. Grey was impressed by the area and built a cabin on Toby Creek. He also approached Premier Richard McBride about protecting the area within a park, but the plans did not come about. [4]

The region saw periods of mining activity, including the Argenta Mine near Hamill Peak. It operated for only one year in 1904 and 1905. Some of the equipment is still found inside the park. By the 1960s, logging had reached further into the Purcells. [4] Area residents, outdoor clubs, and conservation groups lobbied the Provincial and Federal Governments for a park in the region. In 1974, the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy (PWC) was established, protecting 131,500 hectares (325,000 acres). The 9,164-hectare (22,640-acre) St. Mary's Alpine Provincial Park, adjacent to the southern boundary of the PWC, was established in the same year. The PWC was one of the first areas in Canada conserved because of citizen activism. [4] In 1995, the PWC expanded to its current size and was named a Class A Provincial Park by the government. [4]

Geography

The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy covers the central region of the southern half of the Purcell Range in the south east of the province, often referred to as the Kootenays. The nearest settlements are Argenta, to the west, and Invermere to the east.

The park encompasses several large drainages in their entirety, and contains the headwaters of several other large streams and rivers. On the western side of the park, Hamill, Fry, and Carney Creeks flow into Kootenay Lake and the Kootenay River system. On the eastern side, Toby, Dutch, and Finlay Creeks flow into the Columbia River. St. Mary's River and Skookumchuck Creek flow from the south of the park, also into the Kootenay drainage. [5] The mountainous park has many peaks and glaciers. The tallest peaks are Mount Hamill (3,274 metres (10,741 ft)), [6] Mount Toby (3,222 metres (10,571 ft)), [7] and Mount Truce (3,250 metres (10,660 ft)) [8] in the north, and Mount Findlay (3,162 metres (10,374 ft)), [9] near the centre of the park. The Toby Glacier (123 square kilometres (47 sq mi)) is in the north of the park, and forms the headwaters for Toby Creek. [10]

Geology

The PWC region is composed of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rock, and contains some of the oldest rock in the province. [8] Fossils can be found within the park. The oldest rock layer is from the Proterozoic period; this is interspersed with granitic intrusions, or batholiths, similar to the Bugaboos to the north. Some of the high peaks are a mix of granite or quartzite; these features are usually more massive and rounded. Other peaks are more pointed and abrupt, these are formed from slate rock. Much of the park shows the effects of glaciation. [3] Hot springs are also present alongside Dewar Creek in the south of the park. [11]

Flora and fauna

The PWC contains five of British Columbia's biogeoclimatic zones. The wetter western portion of the park has Interior Cedar—Hemlock forests, while the drier eastern valleys feature both Ponderosa Pine and Interior Douglas-fir. The higher slopes are dominated by Engelmann Spruce—Subalpine Fir, which give way to the Alpine Tundra biome at the highest altitudes that support life. [3] [8]

Many large mammals are present in the park, including grizzly and black bears, mule and whitetail deer, moose, mountain caribou, and mountain goats. Biologists have identified 90 bird species within the park. The streams and rivers support Dolly Varden, rainbow and cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish. [3]

Conservation

The PWC is preserved in its natural state; there are no roads or facilities beyond rough campgrounds within the park. Mechanized access, including helicopters, is prohibited. It is considered the largest intact ecosystem in southeastern B.C. [2]

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Toby Glacier is a glacier in the Purcell Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. It covers an area of 123 square kilometres (47 sq mi). Its main drainage basin is Toby Creek. It is located within Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area.

Dunn Peak

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Foster Peak

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Archduke Mountain

Archduke Mountain is a 3,135-metre (10,285-foot) mountain summit located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 43 km (27 mi) north of Kaslo, on the northern boundary of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. The nearest peak is Emperor Peak, 1 km (0.62 mi) to the west. These two peaks make up the double summit of the Archduke-Emperor massif. The mountain's name was officially adopted June 20, 1972, when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The mountain's name was submitted by climber Dr. Curt Wagner for Beethoven's Archduke Trio, which was dedicated to Archduke Rudolf of Austria.

Emperor Peak

Emperor Peak is a 3,127-metre (10,259-foot) mountain summit located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 43 km (27 mi) north of Kaslo, on the northern boundary of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. The nearest higher peak is Archduke Mountain, 1 km (0.62 mi) to the east. These two peaks make up the double summit of the Archduke-Emperor massif. The mountain's name was officially adopted June 20, 1972, when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The peak was named for its regal appearance, and for Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, as submitted by climber Curt Wagner who had climbed the mountain in 1967.

Truce Mountain

Truce Mountain is a 3,262-metre (10,702-foot) glaciated mountain summit located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 46 km (29 mi) north of Kaslo, on the northern boundary of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. The nearest higher peak is Mount Hamill, 11 km (6.8 mi) to the southeast. Other nearby peaks include Mount Macbeth, 11 km (6.8 mi) to the northwest, and Archduke Mountain, 6 km (3.7 mi) to the west. The first ascent of Truce Mountain was made August 9, 1916, by Conrad Kain, H. Otto Frind, Elise Hopkins, Albert H. MacCarthy, Elizabeth MacCarthy, Margaret Stone, Winthrop E. Stone, Mrs. George E. Vincent, and John Vincent. The mountain's name was officially adopted June 9, 1960, when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Mount Earl Grey

Mount Earl Grey is a 3,149-metre (10,331-foot) mountain summit located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 42 km (26 mi) southwest of Invermere, and 52 km (32 mi) north-northeast of Kaslo, on the northern boundary of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. Nearby peaks include Truce Mountain, 12 km (7.5 mi) to the west, Redtop Mountain, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to the southwest, and Jumbo Mountain, 8.5 km (5.3 mi) to the north. The mountain was named in 1915 in association with Earl Grey Pass which is 8 km (5.0 mi) south of the mountain. In turn, the pass was named for Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey (1851-1917), the Governor General of Canada from 1904 through 1911, who visited this pass during horseback camping trips in 1907 and 1908. The mountain's name was officially adopted March 31, 1924, when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The first ascent of Mount Earl Grey was made July 16, 1928, by E. Cromwell, J. G. Hillhouse, J. Monroe Thorington, and Conrad Kain.

Redtop Mountain Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Redtop Mountain is a 3,156-metre (10,354-foot) mountain summit located in the Purcell Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated 44 km (27 mi) southwest of Invermere, and 49 km (30 mi) north-northeast of Kaslo, on the northern boundary of Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. Nearby peaks include Truce Mountain, 10 km (6.2 mi) to the west, Mount Earl Grey, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) to the northeast, and Jumbo Mountain, 10 km (6.2 mi) to the north. The first ascent of Redtop Mountain was made August 11, 1916, by Albert H. MacCarthy, Elizabeth MacCarthy, and Conrad Kain. Albert MacCarthy would go on to lead the 1925 first ascent of Mount Logan, Canada's highest mountain. The mountain's name was officially adopted June 9, 1960, when approved by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

References

  1. ↑ "Protected Planet | Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. 1 2 "Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area". BC Parks - Government of British Columbia. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Paquet, Maggie (1990). Parks of British Columbia and the Yukon. North Vancouver, B.C.: Maia Publishing. pp. 188–189. ISBN   9780969456803.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "History and Cultural Heritage". Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. BC Parks - Government of British Columbia. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Park Map" (PDF). Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park and Protected Area. BCParks - Government of British Columbia. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  6. ↑ "Mount Hamill". Bivouac.com.
  7. ↑ "Mount Toby". Bivouac.com.
  8. 1 2 3 British Columbia. Ministry of Parks, Southern Interior Region. (1991). Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Parks master plan (PDF). Victoria.B.C.: BC Parks. pp. 5, 6. ISBN   0772612919.
  9. ↑ "Mount Findlay". Bivouac.com.
  10. ↑ "Toby Glacier". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  11. ↑ Strong, Janice (2011). Mountain footsteps : hikes in the East Kootenay of southwestern British Columbia. Calgary, AB: Rocky Mountain Books. pp. 90, 91. ISBN   978-1926855295.

"Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park And Protected Area". BC Geographical Names .

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