The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, which covers the central region of the southern half of the Purcell Mountains, protects the massive drainages that stem from the rugged, glaciated backbone of this incredible mountain range. Like other wilderness areas in the Purcells, this region is remote, challenging, and undeveloped. In fact, this area is considered the largest intact ecosystem in southern B.C. However, visitors that are not experienced in backcountry, self-sufficient wilderness travel, can still explore the Purcell Wilderness conservancy area via several guided hiking, wildlife viewing, or hunting excursions. A popular feature of the park is the Dewar Creek Hot Springs, and popular backcountry trails include the Earl Grey Pass Trail, Fry Creek Trail, and Toby Creek to Earl Grey Pass.
Torre de Observação de Incêndios Webb Mountain
- Horseback riding and multi-day pack trips are permitted on the east side as defined by the height of land along the Purcell Mountains.
- Firearms may be carried by persons with a BC hunting licence during an open hunting season.
- The resort, which spans the easternmost slope of the Purcell Mountains, houses several iconic lodges that sit just steps from the epic alpine scenery.
- The highest peak in the Purcell Mountains is Mount Farnham, an 11,460-foot giant that crowns the impressive Farnham Towers.
- We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
In 1971 to 1972 Federal Opportunities for Youth (OFY) funds supported the efforts of area people to re-establish the trail. Although most alpine opportunities are remote the rugged back bone of the Purcell’s offers many climbing opportunities. There are refreshing swimming opportunities at this park in alpine lakes and streams. The Purcell Mountains, which extend for nearly 300 miles, is a subrange of the Columbia Mountains that sits within southeastern British Columbia, Canada on the west side of the valley of Kootenay Lake and the Duncan River. Although American geographic classifications sometimes consider the Purcell Mountains to be a subrange of the Rocky Mountains, in Canada, the Rockies sit only on the east side of the Rocky Mountain Trench. The Purcell Conservancy Park preserves a way of life as well as natural values.
With industrial logging development coming to many valleys in the area local people felt a sense of urgency to protect this spectacular area. In 1904 the Argenta mining company https://p1nup.in/ operated a compressor station about 8 kilometres up from Lardeau on the lower end of Hamill Creek that supplied air to the Argenta Mine on Lavina Ridge above it. A four-horse wagon road was constructed up the Hamill Creek canyon with portions of the road hung from the canyon wall.
Horse assisted hunting trips are allowed on the east side of the conservancy during open seasons. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Access to the east side of the park is by gravel roads leading west from Highway 93/95 along Toby Creek, Findlay Creek, Skookumchuck Creek, St. Mary’s River and Dewar Creek. In the Purcell Mountains, most of the peaks are near or above 10,000 feet in elevation. In the mid 1960’s Rod and Gun Club members from Invermere began lobbying for a Conservancy in the Purcell’s.
Assiniboine Lodge
The tallest peaks in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy area include Mount Toby, Mount Truce, and Mount Findlay. Visitors to the Purcell mountains should be experienced, self-sufficient wilderness travellers capable of interpreting topographical maps and route-finding. The wilderness recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, horseback riding (on the east side of the park only) and wildlife viewing.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
- The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy, which covers the central region of the southern half of the Purcell Mountains, protects the massive drainages that stem from the rugged, glaciated backbone of this incredible mountain range.
- Kicking Horse, which sits just 4 miles from Golden, British Columbia, is a renowned resort that houses an incredible network of alpine biking trails including over 40 miles of trail, 29 trail runs, and over 120 drops and jumps.
- Locally known as ‘the bugs,’ this incredible collection of craggy, granite spires is world-renowned for its alpine rock climbing and contains Howser Spire, Bugaboo Spire, Pigeon Spire, and Snowpatch Spire.
- In fact, professional guides are available to take visitors on backcountry excursions and ski tours every day.
- The Purcell Mountains contain many high-altitude summits, most of which reach above or near 10,000 feet in elevation.
In the 1980’s, amendments provided for application of the Park Act and Regulations and in 1995 an expanded Purcell Wilderness Conservancy became a British Columbia class A provincial park. Horseback riding and multi-day pack trips are permitted on the east side as defined by the height of land along the Purcell Mountains. Trails are unimproved, uncut and historical structures such as old bog bridges exist. Use extreme caution while crossing these structures and be prepared to cut out the trail. Firearms may be carried by persons with a BC hunting licence during an open hunting season.
The resort, which spans the easternmost slope of the Purcell Mountains, houses several iconic lodges that sit just steps from the epic alpine scenery. These lodges include the Glacier Mountaineer Lodge, Palliser ski in/ski out Lodge, and Copper Horse Lodge. There are also plenty of places to grab a bite to eat and kick back after a long day exploring the mountain. Like the other recreation areas in the Purcells, St. Mary’s Alpine Wilderness and Provincial Park is characterized by remote, rugged terrain and requires a high level of backcountry experience. Nevertheless, visitors to this region can hike to several alpine lakes and tarns, tackle rugged granite cliffs, and explore both alpine basins and enduring snowfields.
Kootenay National Park
There is not a lot of information on backcountry travel in this region, so visitors can expect to spend a considerable amount of time route-finding and bushwacking to reach their ultimate destination. Panorama offers excellent skiing, accommodations, and special events for the whole family. Known as one of the most-complete ski-in/ski-out destinations in the region, Panorama sits in the heart of the village and features epic mountain terrain that is always just a few steps away. Lodging is comfortable and easy to come by, and there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and coffee shops to hang out at throughout your stay. Open since 1990, the Purcell Mountain Lodge is a backcountry lodge located on the alpine slopes of Bald Mountain.
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Kootenai Falls Trailhead
Despite being tucked in the backcountry, the lodge is suited for all ages and abilities and offers luxury accommodations off the beaten path. In fact, professional guides are available to take visitors on backcountry excursions and ski tours every day. Advanced skiers can also ski off the alpine plateau towards the Selkirks, Beaver River Valley and Glacier National Park. There are a variety of alpine hiking trails to explore during the summer and spring, as well as a seemingly infinite amount of pristine, skiable terrain during winter months. The Purcell Mountains embrace high glaciated mountains, resplendent alpine lakes, verdant wetlands, magnificent old growth forests and rushing rivers.
Nothing came of Grey’s proposal, however, and for over half a century the trail and the mountains remained the preserve of a few trappers, outfitters, foresters, and prospectors. Because this is a wilderness conservancy, the park has no facilities or marked trails and is not regularly serviced. Visitors should be self-sufficient and proficient in backcountry travel practices. There are unimproved horse trails in each main valley and routes into many of the side valleys and over passes. Rivers may be impassable during flood season, usually until the end of July.
There are no bridges on the east side of the park and hikers will have to ford creeks. The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park embraces six large drainages flowing east to the Columbia River system and three flowing west to Kootenay Lake. All of these emanate from the rugged and glaciated backbone of the spectacular Purcell Mountain Range of southeastern British Columbia.
