Bella Coola Valley Trail Guide Experience the Adventure! www.bellacoola.ca ® Bella Coola Valley Trail Guide Bear & Cougar Awareness Trail Heritage bears, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, moose, cougars and mule deer isitors to the Bella Coola Valley can expect to see a bear Each encounter is unique, and it is advisable to consult other all inhabit the area. Extensive hiking trails are located in the colourful, ANYWHERE, most often in spring, feeding on the first publications dealing with bear and cougar awareness. James Taylor James Taylor rails are an important part of the heritage of the Bella Coola volcanic Rainbow Range, the area of Hunlen Falls (one of Canada’s green shoots on the Valley floor, and again, starting in late A special note about cougars (mountain lions) Valley, beginning with the development by First Nations highest waterfalls) and in the Highway 20 corridor in the Valley. VJuly and well into the fall, feeding on the spawning salmon in the Keep a pet on a leash and keep small children close to you. If you peoples of the “grease” trail trade routes over which eulachon Among these trails is one that leads the hiker from the Bella rivers and streams. see a cougar, stand tall, be fierce, and back away. NEVER turn your Tgrease and other products were carried between the Valley and the Coola Valley floor at the Park’s western boundary on a day hike While seeing a bear can be one of the most memorable experiences back on a cougar. Chilcotin Plateau. One of these trails led Alexander Mackenzie to over a section of the famous Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail/Alexander of a wilderness vacation, it is the responsibility of humans to respect the Pacific in 1793, and subsequently, gold seekers and settlers used Mackenzie Heritage Trail, with a shorter version looping back down. the bear in its habitat. Hiking Safety and Trail Etiquette these routes to travel between the Interior and the coast in the 1800’s. Here, the hiker is in the footsteps of Alexander Mackenzie who Some tips: Hunters and trappers cut trails into the side valleys, where loggers named the spectacular mountain directly ahead “Stupendous” as it > In a roadside bear sighting, if you linger for a photo opportunity, > Always tell a responsible person where you are going and when you followed in the early 1900s, leaving logging roads, some of which have loomed into his view on his transcontinental trek in 1793. stay in your vehicle. plan to return. been regenerated as hiking trails of today. Park visitors can also take a flight-seeing trip above the Rainbow > NEVER feed a bear. Do not risk your safety or the bear’s by > Don’t hike alone or at night. A mountaineering boom was triggered in 1937 with the first ascent Range and Hunlen Falls or paddle a canoe along Turner Lake. For habituating it to human presence. > Be prepared with extra clothing, a first-aid kit, water, insect of Mt. Stupendous by the famed husband/wife team of Don and detailed information, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/ > Obey bear warning signs. repellent, and footwear with good ankle support. Phyl Mundy. This boom began to fade in the early 1950’s when other parkpgs/tweedsmu.html > Keep children and pets close. > On active logging roads, drive carefully. prominent peaks, including Mt. Saugstad, were first ascended. NOTE: Only well-equipped, expert backpackers or those on > Make noise, and louder noise when you are near a stream or > Because trails are maintained by volunteers, please do your part by Surprisingly, besides Bella Coola Valley resident Frank Cook, an a guided excursion should attempt to experience the park’s back- waterfall or where you cannot see the path ahead. picking up any litter and removing fallen branches and debris from accomplished local climber during that era, Valley residents have not country wonders. > Watch for tracks, droppings, diggings, scratch marks, and the trails. been attracted by the mountaineering possibilities. However, while no For maps of the less demanding trails in this magnificent park, torn-apart logs. > Park well off the roads, don’t constrain traffic, and don’t block established trails lead to the mountain peaks which require expertise see pp. 18-21. > Don’t leave garbage or food scraps. driveways or boat launches. in technical climbing, there are countless opportunities for the > Learn how to use bear spray and carry it. > Take only pictures and leave only footprints. experienced mountaineer. NOTE: Check with the Visitor Information Booth > Avoid animal and fish carcasses or injured animals. > Don’t build fires except at designated camping or picnic sites, and The mix of ancient and more recently established trails described (1-866-799-5202) or your accommodator for road accessibility or > Avoid scented deodorants and foods with strong odors. check locally or with the Coastal Fire Centre regarding any in this Guide offers a wide variety of experiences and sights, from trail status. > Don’t leave packs or food unattended. campfire bans. strolling through lush old-growth river-bottom forests to spectacular Damaging, destroying, or removing any natural resource or > Because dogs may attract bears or cougars, always keep your dog on > Phone: 1-250-951-4222 alpine adventures of easy to moderate difficulty. property within Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is illegal. a leash or leave it at home. Legend to > Use binoculars, a spotting scope, or a telephoto lens to view wildlife More Rigourous Venturing from a safe and unobtrusive distance. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park EMERGENCY CONTACTS: Trail Maps Forest Fire ...................................................*5555 or 1-800-663-5555 > If you encounter a bear or a cougar, don’t panic or run. Move away in a non-threatening manner. he gem in the crown of the Bella Coola Valley park scene Police ...........................................................................1-250-799-5363 > Report troublesome or dead animals to the Conservation Officer. Doug Baker is Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, straddling the eastern end Ambulance .................................................................1-800-461-9911 > Phone: 1-877-952-7277 or on-line at www.bcwildfire.ca of the Bella Coola Valley. Standing on the doorstep to the Conservation Officer ................................................1-877-952-7277 Tprovince’s largest wilderness park is guaranteed to make the outdoor enthusiast itch to take off. With 981,000 hectares (2.4 million Don’t be Fooled acres) of wilderness, this is backcountry as good as it gets. The park any bears, particularly in the upper Valley and the Atnarko encompasses gorgeous meadows, hidden lakes, fast-flowing rivers and are accustomed to people, and show little concern when high alpine regions with glaciated mountain ranges. Grizzly and black humans are near. Don’t let this fool you into trying to get Mcloser or believing that all bears act this way. 2 | Call toll free 1-866-799-5202 or visit www.bellacoola.ca Call toll free 1-866-799-5202 or visit www.bellacoola.ca | 3 North Bentinck Lookout trail is between the first two camping sites above Blue Jay Lake. 2. M Gurr Lake 1. Grey Jay / Blue Jay North Distance: 1 km to lake, additional 1.7 km to ridge top viewpoint Bentinck Elevation change: 60 m to lake, 215 m to viewpoint Lookout Difficulty:Easy to moderate to lake, moderate to viewpoint Description: This is an easy access trail that winds through stunted sub-alpine forest to a crystal clear, emerald jewel alpine lake. You may 2. M. Gurr want to go for a quick swim, although the neighbouring pond east of M Gurr Lake trail Lake the lake is warmer. Wildflowers are abundant and provide a colourful Doug Baker bloom in July and August. 200 m. Drive slowly and steadily to minimize road disturbance on Beyond the lake the trail is not as distinct, but still easy to follow. the hills. This road has been deactivated with numerous water bars or Once on the rocky part of the ridge, pick your own way to the highest cross ditches for water maintenance. A high clearance 4 X 4 vehicle is point. The viewpoint above the lake provides awesome views of the recommended. The trailhead is about 17 km from the start of Clayton Coast Mountain peaks rimming North and South Bentinck Arms, Falls Forest Road. Park adjacent to the large boulder, just below the Burke Channel and the upper Clayton Falls Valley. last switchback. The trailhead is just ahead on the opposite side of the How to get there: To access the trail, drive west beyond the switchback. Before leaving, make sure to continue 200 m up the road government wharf onto the North Bentinck Forest Service Road. At beyond the M Gurr Lake Trailhead to the summit pass – a great place 1.5 km, take the Clayton Falls Forest Road to the left. Although there to take in the great panoramic view. Even if you choose not to hike, 1. Grey Jay / Blue Jay North Bentinck Arms. It offers a nice stroll and on return there is the option for a are a number of steep sections along this road, the steepest is the first the drive alone is spectacular! Lookout refreshing swim in Blue Jay Lake. Views of the Coast Mountains are spectacular, although somewhat limited compared to the ridge above Distance: 2 km (one way) to lookout M Gurr Lake. Alpine flowers are abundant in the summer. Blue Jay Elevation change: 80 m Lake is much warmer than M Gurr Lake and surprisingly, contains Difficulty: Easy to moderate trout. There is a rustic campsite in this picturesque spot. How to get there: Take the Clayton Falls Forest Service Road as Description: This trail and boardwalk wind through alpine forest described to access the M Gurr Lake Trail.