 Black Bear
Tom Ryan photo Chilko Lake and its watershed support significant populations of fish. The Horsefly River becomes one of BC's largest spawning channels from the end of August to early September. Walk along the Salmon Habitat Trail and view the salmon as they struggle upstream. A word or two on your excursion: - Do not disturb the wildlife
- Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and be sure to carry out your garbage
A word or two on safety: - Obey posted signs and keep to designated trails
Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park This park protects the critical breeding, lambing and winter range of the world's largest population of non-migratory bighorn sheep, an endangered species. Cliffs and hoodoos break its grassland benches. Some 500 bighorn sheep live in the area, feeding on bunchgrass. Other endangered species in the park include the prairie falcon, upland sandpiper, rubber boa and long-billed curlew. The park's range also attracts cougars, black bears, mule deer, grouse and owls. Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park is a one-hour drive southwest from Williams Lake, off Highway 20 on Farwell Canyon Road. > Junction Sheep Range Park website
Princess Royal Island BC's Central Coast is the only part of the world where the white Kermode (Spirit) bear is found. The Kermode is not an albino bear, but rather a sub-species of the black bear. A single recessive gene carried by both parents results in the animal's white colour. On Princess Royal Island, 10 per cent of the black bears are born white. The bear's name honours Frank Kermode, who first discovered the recessive gene. The largest concentrations of Kermode bears are on Princess Royal Island and adjacent islands as well as in some nearby mainland valleys. The island and surrounding waters are also home to black and grizzly bears, wolves, deer, Orca and humpback whales, Steller sea lions, sea otters and bald eagles. To catch a glimpse of the elusive Kermode bear, plan your visit during salmon-spawning season in September. This extremely remote area of BC is only accessible by boat or air. You can book a scheduled flight into the area, and charters are available from nearby communities.
Ts'il?os Provincial Park Ts'il?os (pronounced "sigh-loss") Provincial Park is part of the traditional territory of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation. Rugged peaks, clear blue lakes, alpine meadows and waterfalls dominate this stunning, remote park. No matter where you set foot, you'll witness startling contrasts. Look west and you'll see the rugged Coast Mountain peaks; gaze east and you'll catch sight of the dry Interior Plateau region. Sharing this diverse habitat are grizzly and black bears, bighorn sheep, wolverines, mule deer, moose, mountain goats, cougars as well as bald eagles. Ts'ilo?os is also home to Chilko Lake, the largest high-elevation freshwater lake in Canada. Chilko and its watershed support significant populations of sockeye and chinook salmon, bull and rainbow trout as well as steelhead. The adjacent lands are also an important habitat for such species as Vaux's swift, peregrine falcon and Townsend's big-eared bat. The best time for wildlife viewing occurs in the spring and summer months. Ts'il?os Provincial Park is a 4-6-hour (weather dependent) drive southwest from Williams Lake. Access is off of Highway 20, either from Hanceville or from Tatla Lake. > Ts'il?os Park website
Horsefly Spawning Channel The Horsefly River is one of BC's largest spawning channels from the end of August to early September. Walk along the Salmon Habitat Trail to view the salmon as they struggle upstream. The Horsefly Spawning Channel is approximately 700 km (435 mi) by water upstream from the mouth of the Fraser River at Steveston. Sockeye that elude fishing nets make this trip in about 26 days. The salmon run on a four-year cycle. During significant spawning years, the community holds the Horsefly River Salmon Festival on the Labour Day weekend. The community of Horsefly is a 45-minute drive northeast from Williams Lake, on Horsefly Road off Highway 97. |