Strathcona
Provincial Park is a beautiful mountain wilderness that encompasses
more than 210,000 hectares and is the oldest of British Columbia's parks.
The park was named for the Canadian pioneer Donald Alexander Smith,
First Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal.
Living
in the forest of
western red cedar, Douglas fir, grand fir, and western hemlock is a
large deer population as well as elk, wolves, cougars and other smaller
mammals. Birdlife
is abundant and includes the chesnut-backed chickadee, red-breasted
nuthatch, winter wren, Stellar jays, pigeons and the ruffed grouse.
Buttle Lake is just one of the parks many waterways where the avid fisherman
may try his luck for Dolly
Varden, cutthroat and rainbow trout.
A road
winds its way throughout Strathcona Provincial Park past cataracts,
creeks and falls. Signs point to the areas more prominent peaks including
Mount McBride, Marble Peak, Mount Philips and Mount Myra. The Buttle
Lake area and Forbidden Plateau have visitor-oriented development. To
see and enjoy the parks scenic beauty one can hike and backpack into
the alpine regions.
LOCATION
The main
access routes to Strathcona Provincial Park are:
1. Highway
28, which connects with Gold River, passes through the northern part
of the park providing access to Buttle Lake.
2. To Paradise
Meadows in the Forbidden Plateau follow Highway 19 to the Mt. Washington
Ski Resort road. Travel for 25 km and turn left on Nordic Lodge Road
for 1.5 km to the parking lot.
3. To Wood
Mountain follow Highway 19 to the Forbidden Plateau Road for 19 km to
the Forbidden Plateau ski area.
PARK
FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES
Camping
- There are two campgrounds within Strathcona Provincial Park, Buttle
Lake (85 sites) and Ralph River (76 sites). Both provide water, toilets
and firewood. There are marine back-country camping sites on the western
shores of Buttle Lake and one on Rainbow Island.
Fishing
and Boating - Two boat launching areas are located on Buttle Lake. Angling
for Dolly Varden, cutthroat and rainbow trout may prove productive.
Waterskiing is permitted on Buttle Lake.
Hiking
and Trails - An extensive trail system leads through Strathcona Provincial
Park to the areas scenic features. A park interpreter is available during
July and August.There are excellent cross-country skiing, ski-mountaineering
and snowshoeing oppurtunities here during the winter months.
COMMERCIAL
FACILITIES
The nearby
cities of Campbell River, Gold
River, Courtenay and Comox
offer most necessary visitor facilities. A wilderness skills training
program is available from a centre at Buttle Lake.
Information & Services
If you would like to have your business listed, please Click Here.
