Valhalla Provincial Park

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Valhalla Provincial Park
Snowmelt Pool in Valhalla Provincial Park.jpg
Gregorio Peak from near Gwillim Lakes
Canada British Columbia location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Location in British Columbia
Location Central Kootenay, British Columbia, Canada
Nearest town Slocan
Coordinates 49°52′57″N117°35′00″W / 49.8825°N 117.5832°W / 49.8825; -117.5832 Coordinates: 49°52′57″N117°35′00″W / 49.8825°N 117.5832°W / 49.8825; -117.5832
Area50,060 ha (193.3 sq mi)
EstablishedMarch 3, 1983
Governing body BC Parks
Website Valhalla Provincial Park

Valhalla Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It was established on March 3, 1983, in the mountains above the Western shores of Slocan Lake, in the west Kootenays. The park consists of most of the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains.

Contents

Geography

It is 49,893 hectares in size with 30 kilometres (19 mi) of shoreline along Slocan Lake. The park has limited methods of access, and is popular with climbers. [2] Colleen McCrory's Valhalla Society advocated for the creation of the park. [3]

See also

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Gladsheim Peak is a prominent 2,830-metre (9,280-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Gladsheim is the highest point in the Valhalla Ranges. It is situated in the southern part of Valhalla Provincial Park, 2.7 km (1.7 mi) northeast of Gimli Peak, and 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The name "Valhalla Mountains" first appeared in George Mercer Dawson's Geological Survey of Canada map published in 1890. Dawson applied names derived from Scandinavian mythology to several of the mountain ranges and peaks in Southern Kootenay. Gladsheim is the magnificent meeting hall containing thirteen council seats where, according to Norse mythology, Odin presided over all the realms. In keeping with the Valhalla theme, this peak's name was submitted in 1900 by R. W. Brock to the Geological Survey of Canada for consideration, and it was officially adopted March 31, 1924, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Gregorio Peak

Gregorio Peak is a 2,605-metre (8,547-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the southwestern border of Valhalla Provincial Park, 8.7 km (5.4 mi) west of Gladsheim Peak, and 19 km (12 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The mountain's name commemorates Michael Gregory, a resident of the Slocan area known to his friends as Gregorio, who drowned in a canoeing accident on Slocan Lake in 1971 returning from a climb of nearby Devils Couch. This peak's name was submitted by Anthony Eweson of New Denver for consideration, and it was officially adopted March 4, 1974, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Devils Couch

Devils Couch is a 2,749-metre (9,019-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is situated in Valhalla Provincial Park, 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Gladsheim Peak, 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Slocan Lake, and 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Slocan. The mountain's descriptive name refers to its shape. It was first called "The Toboggan Slide" by early miners who arrived in the area in the 1890s. It was later called "King Tuts Couch" in the 1920s, coinciding with the archaeological discovery in Egypt. This peak's current name was officially adopted July 22, 1964, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The peak is located in Devils Range, which is a compact subrange of the Valhallas. The names of the neighboring peaks have a devil-related theme: Black Prince Mountain, Lucifer Peak, Mount Mephistopheles, Devils Dome, Mount Diablo, Satan Peak, and Devils Spire.

Mount Denver Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Denver is a 2,746-metre (9,009-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is situated in northern Valhalla Provincial Park, 9 km (5.6 mi) west of Slocan Lake, and 11 km (6.8 mi) west-southwest of New Denver. The mountain takes its name from New Denver, which in turn is named after Denver, Colorado. This mountain's name was officially adopted March 31, 1924, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Asgard Peak

Asgard Peak is a 2,825-metre (9,268-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Asgard Peak is the second-highest point in the Valhalla Ranges, with the highest being Gladsheim Peak, 2.1 km (1.3 mi) to the east. It is situated in the southern part of Valhalla Provincial Park, 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Devils Couch, and 13 km (8.1 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The name "Valhalla Mountains" first appeared in George Mercer Dawson's Geological Survey of Canada map published in 1890. Dawson applied names derived from Scandinavian mythology to several of the mountain ranges and peaks in Southern Kootenay. In keeping with the Valhalla theme, this peak's name was submitted February 1970 by Robert Dean of the Kootenay Mountaineering Club for consideration, and it was officially adopted March 3, 1971, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. Asgard, according to Norse mythology, is the section of Valhalla where the twelve gods dwell. Based on the Köppen climate classification, Asgard Peak has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. This climate supports a small glacier on the peak's north slope. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Slocan River.

Midgard Peak

Midgard Peak is a 2,807-metre (9,209-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Midgard Peak is the third-highest point in the Valhalla Ranges, with the highest being Gladsheim Peak, 2.9 km (1.8 mi) to the east-northeast. Its nearest higher peak is Asgard Peak, 0.9 km (0.56 mi) to the northeast. It is situated on the southern border of Valhalla Provincial Park, 1.1 km (0.68 mi) northwest of Gimli Peak, and 14 km (8.7 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The name "Valhalla Mountains" first appeared in George Mercer Dawson's Geological Survey of Canada map published in 1890. Dawson applied names derived from Scandinavian mythology to several of the mountain ranges and peaks in Southern Kootenay. In keeping with the Valhalla theme, this peak's name was submitted February 1970 by Robert Dean of the Kootenay Mountaineering Club for consideration, and it was officially adopted March 3, 1971, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. According to Norse mythology, Midgard is the home of earth dwellers. Based on the Köppen climate classification, Midgard Peak has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Slocan River.

Mount Prestley Mountain in British Columbia, Canada

Mount Prestley is a 2,732-metre (8,963-foot) triple-summit mountain located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Mount Prestley is the eighth-highest point in the Valhalla Ranges, with the highest being Gladsheim Peak, 4.6 km (2.9 mi) to the east-northeast. Its nearest higher peak is Midgard Peak, 1.8 km (1.1 mi) to the east. It is situated on the southern border of Valhalla Provincial Park, and 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The mountain's name was officially adopted January 24, 1962, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. It honors Canadian Army Private Michael Thomas Patrick Prestley, from Nelson, BC. He was serving with The Black Watch of Canada when he was killed in World War II action July 22, 1944, at age 21.

Drinnan Peak

Drinnan Peak is a 2,584-metre (8,478-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the southwestern border of Valhalla Provincial Park, 2.8 km (1.7 mi) southeast of Gregorio Peak, and 18 km (11 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The mountain is named for Bill Drinnan who trapped in the vicinity in the 1920s and 1930s. Drinnon Peak was adopted in 1976 in association with Drinnon Lake. To conform with the correct spelling of the family name, the spelling was changed to Drinnan Peak, and officially adopted February 3, 1986, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Lucifer Peak

Lucifer Peak is a 2,726-metre (8,944-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is situated in western Valhalla Provincial Park, 8.8 km (5.5 mi) west-northwest of Gladsheim Peak, 18 km (11 mi) west of Slocan Lake, and 20 km (12 mi) west-northwest of Slocan. This peak's name was officially adopted July 26, 1977, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. The peak is located in Devils Range, which is a subrange of the Valhallas. The names of the peaks of this small compact range have a devil-related theme: Black Prince Mountain, Mount Mephistopheles, Devils Dome, Mount Diablo, Satan Peak, Devils Spire, and Devils Couch. Based on the Köppen climate classification, Lucifer Peak has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Gwillim Creek and Evans Creek, both tributaries of the Slocan River. The first ascent of the peak was made August 24, 1970, by Bob Dean and Howie Ridge via the east ridge.

Devils Dome

Devils Dome is a 2,769-metre (9,085-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is situated in western Valhalla Provincial Park, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) east of Lucifer Peak, 5 km (3.1 mi) west of Devils Couch, and 18 km (11 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The peak is located in Devils Range, which is a subrange of the Valhallas. Devils Dome has a subpeak, unofficially called Dark Prince, 100 m (328 ft) to the west. The names of the peaks of this small compact range have a devil-related theme: Black Prince Mountain, Lucifer Peak, Mount Mephistopheles, Mount Diablo, Satan Peak, Devils Spire, and Devils Couch. This peak's name was submitted by Pat Ridge of the Kootenay Mountaineering Club and officially adopted July 27, 1977, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.

Black Prince Mountain

Black Prince Mountain is a 2,742-metre (8,996-foot) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is situated in western Valhalla Provincial Park, 1 km (0.62 mi) west-northwest of Lucifer Peak, 19 km (12 mi) west of Slocan Lake, and 21 km (13 mi) west-northwest of Slocan. This peak's name refers to the Prince of Darkness and has not been officially adopted. The peak is located in Devils Range, which is a subrange of the Valhallas. The names of the peaks of this small compact range have a devil-related theme: Lucifer Peak, Mount Mephistopheles, Devils Dome, Mount Diablo, Satan Peak, Devils Spire, and Devils Couch.

Gimli Peak

Gimli Peak is a 2,806-metre (9,206 ft) mountain summit located in the Valhalla Ranges of the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada. Gimli Peak is the fourth-highest point in the Valhalla Ranges, with the highest being Gladsheim Peak, 2.7 km (1.7 mi) to the north. Its nearest higher peak is Midgard Peak, 1.8 km (1.1 mi) to the northwest. It is situated in southern Valhalla Provincial Park, immediately southwest of Mulvey Lakes, and 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Slocan and Slocan Lake. The name "Valhalla Mountains" first appeared in George Mercer Dawson's Geological Survey of Canada map published in 1890. Dawson applied names derived from Scandinavian mythology to several of the mountain ranges and peaks in Southern Kootenay. In keeping with the Valhalla theme, this peak was originally labelled "Mount Gimli" on a 1900 Geological Survey of Canada publication, and it was officially adopted April 29, 1998, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada as Gimli Peak. According to Norse mythology, Gimli is the place where the righteous survivors of Ragnarök are foretold to live. Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gimli Peak has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Slocan River.

References

  1. "Protected Planet | Valhalla Park". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  2. Landers, Rich (28 August 1988). "Valhalla The Making of a Park". The Spokesman-Review . Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  3. Mouat, Lucia (7 June 1992). "Colleen McCrory Battles To Save Canada's Forests". The Christian Science Monitor . The Daily Gazette . Retrieved 2 June 2014.

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