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Strathcona Provincial Park is the oldest park on Vancouver Island and a wild treasure for many Islanders. At 231,434 ha (571,880 acres) this rugged mountain wilderness presides over the heart of the island.
This central jewel of Vancouver Island holds some of the last remaining
rainforests on an island that has been ravaged by logging. Laced with
lakes and rivers, it also contains unusual limestone
formations that feature caves and sinkholes, and one of the tallest waterfalls
in the world. Sometimes called "Little Switzerland" the park contains
6 of the 7 highest peaks on the island, as well as Comox Glacier,
Vancouver Island's last remaining icefield.
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"This
larger more expanded protected area will hopefully provide the range
and diversity of habitat the wildlife need in order to continue
to evolve and adapt."
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Strathcona Park is located in the center of Vancouver Island, west
of Courtenay, and southwest of Campbell River. Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau are the areas
of most interest
for day use. To get to the Buttle Lake area of the park, take Highway
28 from Campbell River, which passes through the northern section of the park before branching off. The southern branch provides access to Buttle Lake and
the park's headquarters. Two areas, Paradise Meadows (Mount Washington) and Forbidden
Plateau (Wood Mountain), provide easy access to the high country. To reach these entrances
follow Highway 19 north from Comox or south from
Campbell River, and then follow the signs.
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 Click on the map to view an enlargement
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Strathcona contains prime examples of ancient rainforests of Douglas-fir, western
red cedar, grand and amabilis fir, and western hemlock. At higher
elevations sub-alpine fir, and mountain hemlock are found. The wildlife
here have evolved a little differently from their mainland relatives,
and many, including the Vancouver Island marmot, Vancouver Island wolf,
Roosevelt elk, and black-tailed deer, are unique to Vancouver Island.
Strathcona's abundant birdlife includes red-breasted nuthatch, kinglet, Stellar's
jay, and band-tailed pigeon, chestnut-backed chickadee, winter wren,
ruffed grouse, and blue grouse. The park is also home to a small number
of unique Vancouver Island white-tailed ptarmigans.
The connection of Strathcona Park with the newly
formed Clayoquot Biosphere Reserve area is based on the
Conservation Biology principle of connectivity. This larger
protected area will hopefully provide
the range and diversity of habitat that wildlife needs in order to continue
to evolve, adapt, and thrive.
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"The wildlife
here have evolved a little differently from their mainland relatives,
and many, including the Vancouver Island marmot, Vancouver Island wolf,
Roosevelt elk, and black-tailed deer, are unique to Vancouver Island."
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Although there are a few developed facilities in the park, most of
Strathcona is remote wilderness. Situated conveniently close to urban
centers, it is a popular playground for islanders as well as visitors fom afar.
From seaside to snowcapped mountains,
Strathcona offers a wide variety of outdoor experiences for all ages,
including canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, camping, hiking, mountain
climbing, swimming, and skiing. A park interpreter is available during
July and August. 
Accommodation
Strathcona has two campgrounds: Buttle Lake with 85 campsites and
Ralph River with 76 sites. Both these sites are located at Buttle
Lake and can be accessed by Hwy 28. The campsites have
firewood, water, and toilets. There are also some marine backcountry
sites on Rainbow Island and the western shores of Buttle Lake.
Instead of camping, many visitors choose to stay at Strathcona Park
Lodge, situated on the shores of Upper Campbell Lake, and just outside
the park's eastern boundary.
Hiking
Strathcona has 104 km (65 mi) of trails leading to sites throughout the park
and showing off its most scenic features.
These trails in the park will satisfy a range of hikers from the experienced
backcountry enthusiasts to families with young children. Many local outdoor clubs also
offer excellent trips. All trails in Strathcona Provincial
Park are closed to mountain bikes and horses, and pets are to be kept
out of backcountry areas because of potential wildlife conflicts.
For more detailed information on specific trails in the park click
here.
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"There are trails in the park to satisfy all people,
from the experienced
backcountry enthusiasts to families with young children."
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Mountain Climbing
Rock climbing
is a popular activity in the park. Mountaineers will find a variety
of peaks for all levels including the highest peak on Vancouver Island,
the 2200 m (7219 ft) Golden Hinde. The Crest Creek Crags area has
over 100 climbing routes.
Water Sports
Buttle Lake, 32 km (20 mi) long, is the main waterway in the park, and has two boat
launches. Strathcona has several other tranquil lakes and
rivers on which to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or swimming. Angling for Dolly Varden,
cutthroat and rainbow trout is often excellent in any of the lakes.
Winter Activities
Strathcona's heavy snowfall and superb views make it a winter paradise.
The Forbidden Plateau/Mount Washington area is considered to be the number
one alpine and nordic skiing destination on Vancouver Island. Over
30 km (19 mi) of groomed trails provide stunning views
of glaciers and mountain peaks, rolling farmland, and dense forests
as far as the Strait of Georgia.
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Established
in 1911, Strathcona was the first provincial park created in BC. Now
dear to the hearts of many islanders, Strathcona is still the largest
park on the island. The park was named after Donald Alexander Smith,
First Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, a Canadian pioneer and of
the major backers of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was he
who drove the last spike into the rail line that linked the young
nation of Canada from sea to sea.
Strathcona seemed remote in the early days, but after WWII when
vehicles first made long distances accessible, Strathcona began to
attract public attention.
At one time the government hoped that Strathcona would become as popular
as Banff National Park. That never materialized and thankfully much
of Strathcona still remains wild.
Unfortunately in the 1960s the government approved a proposal to
build a mine in the park. Buttle Lake, in the center of the park, was
dammed to create energy to power the mine, and a highway was built
right through the heartland. This was met by great resentment and bitterness
from the public and was one of the factors that led to the beginning of BC's wilderness
movement. In the late 1980s when the mining company wanted
to expand its operations, and explore further claims in the park,
public outcry and blockades resulted in those
claims eventually being retired.
The highly viable logging threats that currently face Strathcona Park along its perimeter
are but another chapter in the
story of the struggle to avoid destruction in this wilderness by the modern world. Hopefully citizen involvement and activism will ensure that this potential disaster will be avoided. Following the completion of the Clayoquot Sound Land-Use Decision discussions in 1995, the Megin-Talbot addition was added to Strathcona Provincial Park. This 27,390 hectares (26,877 ha upland, 513 ha foreshore) addition includes the entire watersheds of both the Megin and Talbot Rivers, and links the interior portion of Strathcona Park to the Clayoquot Sound region of the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The Megin watershed is especially significant, as it is the largest remaining undisturbed watershed on Vancouver Island. The Megin-Talbot area contains interesting karst limestone topography (which features caves), numerous rare plants as well as notable old-growth spruce, fir and cedar forests.
Other, smaller additions have also resulted from the Vancouver Island Land-Use Planning Process, including the Divers Lake Addition (1,034 ha/2,550 acre) and the McBride Creek Addition (3,750 ha/9,300 acre).
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