Two provincial parks on Christina Lake (reputed to be the warmest tree-lined lake in Canada) provide beaches, boat launches, fishing, hiking trails, camping, wildlife viewing opportunities and access to the wilderness.
Christina Lake Provincial Park is located at the south end of the lake immediately adjacent to the village. This is a popular day use area.
The park's 350m/1150ft of sandy beach hosts a shallow, buoyed swimming area that's ideal for children. Near the beach, there are plenty of tree-shaded tables for family picnics.
Boating & Fishing
No boat launch is available at Christina Lake Provincial Park, but it's easy to carry and launch canoes and kayaks on the level beach. This location at the southern end of the lake is generally very good for the use of small boats.
Gladstone (Texas Creek) Provincial Park
Gladstone Provincial Park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational and wilderness activities. Surrounding the north end of Christina Lake, it protects the unique Selkirk Foothills ecosystem. Vehicle access is via Highway 3, 12km/7.5mi north of Christina Lake.
Camping and Water Activities
The Texas Creek Campground on the eastern shore of Christina Lake is the most popular and easily accessible. It offers 63 campsites, a boat launch and beach with opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing for Kokanee, rainbow trout and bass. In the backcountry, Xenia Lake is accessible by 4x4 vehicle, while a boat is needed to get to eight rustic campsites on secluded pocket beaches.
Hiking
Serious hikers are attracted to Gladstone Park's 48km/30mi of excellent backcountry trails, mostly rated difficult because of the steep terrain. The Xenia Lake, Mt. Faith, Mt. Gladstone and Peter Lake Trails, ranging in length from 4km/2.5mi to 18.4km/11.4mi, all fall into this category. However, the 11.3km/7mi Deer Point Trail to Troy Creek is rated easy. Many more trails in the wilderness areas are unmarked and unmaintained.
Wilderness and Wildlife
With elevation changes from lakeshore to alpine, Gladstone Park contains diverse habitats unique to the Selkirk Foothills ecosystem. Don't miss the 2.4m/8ft diameter giant cedars in the low elevation old growth cedar/hemlock forest and expect to spot some wildlife. Keep an eye out for deer, elk, California bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears. In the fall, creeks entering Christina Lake in this area are great spots for viewing spawning Kokanee salmon.
First Nations Habitation and Pictographs
Aboriginal home sites and a semi-permanent village are located near traditional fishing spots in the park. Take a boat out to search for three shoreline pictographs (rock paintings), approachable only from the water on the east shore of the lake.
Heritage Sites
Heritage sites in the area include a log cabin and an old gold mine. The historic Dewdney Trail passed through this territory along with a section of the CPR rail line, important in Doukhobor history.
Practical Points
- The Monashee Mountains are habitat for both grizzly and black bears. Black bears are not uncommon even at lower elevations and definitely on the sub-alpine slopes where they feed in summer.
- When hiking in bear country, carry bear spray, make enough noise to announce your presence and be aware.
- The best time to hike in the mountains is late June through September, depending on snow conditions. Trails in the valley are accessible year-round.
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