| Mount
Revelstoke National Park is
an adventure destination exploring Revelstoke Mountain in the
community of Revelstoke, BC in the Kootenay region of British
Columbia, Canada. The park trails lead to lakes, summits and
alpine meadows. The park viewpoints provide views of mountain
ranges, the Thompson River and the community of Revelstoke.
The 260 square kilometre mountain park protects
the Columbia Mountains Natural Region. The road climbing up
the mountain and leading to the viewpoints and trailheads is
aptly named the Meadows in the Sky Parkway. The 26 kilometre
paved road is the only access road into the park.
The Meadow in the Sky Parkway is a toll road
and requires a paid park pass to access. During the year the
road is opened up in stages depending on the elevation of the
snowline. There are no buses or trailers permitted on the parkway.
.
The protected park is home to the Clachnacudainn
Icefield, old growth forests, flowering alpine meadows, towering
snow-capped peaks, wetlands, wildlife and avalanche chutes.
Within the park there are many towering mountains. The mountains
include the Dickey (2515 m), Coursier (2637 m), Inverness (2637
m), Klotz (2637 m), Williamson (2362) and St. Cyr (2606 m).
Many of which can be viewed from the trails in the park.
The Mt. Revelstoke National Park was established
in 1914. One of the most popular tales in the park involves
a Norwegian named Nels Nelson. In 1916 he set a new world ski
jumping record on what was - then and still is now - the largest
natural ski jump ever created in Canada.
The mountain park is a day use destination
as well as a multi day backpacking destination. There are short
and long day hikes in the park. Each trail is well maintained,
well marked with trail signs and interpretive billboards.
The wildlife in the mountain park include Mountain
Caribou, Grizzly Bears, elk, cougars, Black Bears and more.
Birding is also in the park. Some of the birds in the park include
owls, grouse and eagles.
The main day hiking routes in the park include
the Inspiration Woods, Lindmark, Meadows in the Sky, Giant Cedars
and Skunk Cabbage Trails. The longer trail routes, multi-day
trips, include backcountry shelters and designated wilderness
campgrounds. The 5.5 kilometre Miller Lake Trail, 6.0 kilometre
Eva Lake Trail and the 9 kilometre Jade Lakes Trail are a few
of the backpack wilderness trails. Of the 6 long haul backpacking
hikes there are campsites at Jade and Eva Lake.
Inspiration Woods Hiking
Trail is a short 3 kilometre loop hiking
route located in the Mt. Revelstoke National Park. The trail
explores the lower slopes of Revelstoke Mountain. The trailhead
is on the first corner up the mountain on the Meadows in the
Sky Parkway. The interpretive path is a single track hiking
trail with an elevation of 610 metres. The trail should take
no longer than 1 to 2 hours to complete. Some of the wildlife
in area include the Black Bear, Varied Thrush, Great Horned
Owl, Hemlock Looper, Stellar's Jay, Pileated Woodpecker and
the Coeur D'Alene Salamander.
Lindmark Hiking Trail
is an 8 kilometre one-way hike leading to Balsam
Lake and a picnic shelter. The trailhead is located across from
the Monashee Lookout in the Mount Revelstoke National Park.
The trailhead is about 5 kilometres from the park gates located
at the base of the mountain. The Lindmark Trail meanders through
forests and alpine meadows with an elevation of 875 - 1830 metres.
The hike is moderately difficult with plenty of exposed tree
roots, boulders and slippery sections. The one way hike should
take 3-4 hours to reach Balsam Lake. Wildlife in the area include
Black Bears, caribou and elk.
Monashee Lookout is
a deluxe picnic and viewing area located in the Mount Revelstoke
National Park. A paved short path leads to a lookout which provides
expansive views of the valley below and the surrounding mountain
ranges. Interpretive signs at the main lookout area explain
the expansive views. From the lookout one can see Mount Begbie,
Mt. Tilley, Mt. Macpherson and Mount Boulder. Below one can
see the valley and the Columbia River. The monashee Lookout
area includes picnic tables, a fire pit circle, picnic shelter,
pit toilets and viewing benches. Across the road is the trailhead
to the Lindmark Hiking Trail.
How to Get to Mount
Revelstoke National Park:
Travel to the community of Revelstoke, BC.
From the community continue to travel east on Highway #1 for
0.8 Kilometres to the turn off on your right leading to the
park entrance. The park is well signed on the highway. |
