Formed by volcanic activity and carved by ancient glacial meltwaters, Chasm Provincial Park features a brilliant display of red, brown, orange, pink and purple colours set in steep, lava-layered canyon walls. This is matched in age and mystique by the hoodoos of Farwell Canyon - ancient, pillar-like sandstone formations. The colour theme continues with the dramatic Rainbow Range of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, a volcanic mountain range where peaks of eroded lava and fragmented rock reveal an astonishing spectrum of vivid red, orange, lavender and yellow colours.
Chasm Provincial Park
Formed by volcanic activity and carved by ancient glacial meltwaters, the park's namesake chasm is approximately 8km (5 miles) long, 600m (1,970ft) wide and 300m (985ft) deep. It was created 10,000 years ago - at the end of the last ice age - when water from the melting glaciers carried so much silt that it carved a great abyss.
Today, the area offers a brilliant display of red, brown, orange, pink and purple colours set in the steep, lava-layered canyon walls.
Take in the park's spectacular setting on an informal hiking trail that often follows old roads through a dramatic landscape. Exercise caution: the park has many steep cliffs and fences are provided only near the parking area and lookout. Look for bighorn sheep along the canyon walls. Keep an eye out for moose, mule deer, black bear and coyotes as well.
Chasm is located off Highway 97, about a 20-minute drive north from Clinton.
> Chasm Park website
Farwell Canyon
Cut from the Chilcotin River and carved by time, Farwell Canyon provides an unforgettable experience. The canyon is surrounded by ancient, pillar-like sandstone formations called hoodoos. Look for ancient pictographs. From the road, see if you can spot part of one of the largest shifting sand dunes in Canada.
Farwell Canyon is found off Highway 20 on Farwell Canyon Road, a one-hour drive southwest from Williams Lake.
Rainbow Range
Tweedsmuir Provincial Park spans 981,000 ha (2.4 million acres), enchanting visitors with its dramatic Rainbow Range volcanic mountains. Over the ages, erosion has revealed domes of worn-down lava and fragmented rock, creating an astonishing spectrum of vivid red, orange, lavender and yellow colours.
Hiking into the park is the best way to appreciate the range's magnitude. The area is accessible on foot or horseback. Local outfitters offer guided single and multi-day tours.
Get a closer view of the mountains' breathtaking hues along the Rainbow Range Trail. This 14km (8.7-mile) route passes stands of pine and fir before reaching open alpine and a small lake. Start at Highway 20 near the park's east entrance and Heckman Pass; plan on 4-5 hours roundtrip.
A limited view of the range is also seen while driving through Tweedsmuir Park along Highway 20. Flight-seeing trips are available for an aerial view.
Caribou, wolves, mountain goats and grizzly bears share their habitat with backcountry hikers. The area's sub-alpine forest is home to one of BC's largest herds of caribou.
Visiting Tweedsmuir Provincial Park: - Approximate time required: 4 hours - several days
> Tweedsmuir Park website