Three provincial parks protect a wide diversity of ecosystems and terrain in the Lumby area. The Mabel Lake, Echo Lake and Monashee parks provide recreational opportunities like swimming, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing and hiking. Several species of birds, mammals, fish and reptiles can be spotted in the parks.
Mabel Lake Provincial Park is perfectly situated for a lesson in transition zone ecology. On the west side of the lake, the drier slopes of the Okanagan Highland, neighbouring on the Okanagan Valley, are covered in ponderosa pine.
On the eastern shore, a dense forest of hemlock, cedar and birch trees surrounds the park as the steep, wet slopes of the Shuswap Highlands range back to the Monashee Mountains.
Water Activities on Mabel Lake
Located 37km/23mi northeast of Lumby, the park features 2,100m/6,890ft of sandy beach on 35km/22mi long Mabel Lake, a concrete boat launch and large wooden dock with bumpers and pilings. Lay out a family picnic, swim in the summer-warm waters or launch a boat for fishing, waterskiing, canoeing or kayaking. Boat rentals and fishing supplies are available at the South Mabel Marina and General Store next to the park.
Changing Rainforest Interpretive Trail
An adventure playground with wood and plastic structures and volleyball net are located near the day-use parking lot. The 1km/0.6mi self-guided Changing Rainforest interpretive trail is an easy walk in the second growth forest. Many squirrels live around the park's 81 campsites. Look for painted turtles at Taylor Creek and keep an eye out for other wildlife such as deer and occasionally bears and moose.
Echo Lake Provincial Park
Call out and listen for the echo in the secluded Echo Lake Provincial Park, on the shores of Echo Lake, 22km/14mi southeast of Lumby. Steep, forested mountainsides drop straight into the water almost all the way around this emerald green spring-fed lake that reaches depths of 481m/1,575ft, but the park offers a sandy beach for swimming and sunning.
Fishing in Echo Lake
Fishing is the major activity on Echo Lake. Stocked annually with 20,000 fish, even the most inept anglers have a chance to catch trout, gerards and Kokanee. With a 10hp motor restriction, this is an excellent spot for canoeing and kayaking. Boat rentals and fishing supplies are available at Echo Lake Fishing Resort at the north end of the lake.
Monashee Provincial Park
Ideal territory for experienced backcountry hikers, Monashee Provincial Park is a wilderness area surrounded by the snowcapped peaks of the Monashee Mountains and featuring some of the oldest rock formations in Western Canada.
Peters, Margie & Spectrum Lakes
Beneath 2697m/8,848ft Mount Fosthall, the highest peak in the park, Peters, Margie and Spectrum lakes invite anglers to cast a line for rainbow trout. Two platforms on the shores of Spectrum Creek provide different views of impressive Rainbow Falls.
Climbing Mt Fosthall
Rock climbers and scramblers tackle the faces of Fosthall and Slate mountains. Access the wilderness on 30km/18.6mi of good trails that are best suited to experienced hikers capable of handling steep terrain on trails with names like S.O.B. Gulch and Belly Up Canyon. There are some options for beginners and some trails are suitable for horseback riding.
Lower elevation trails showcase the cool, dense growth of the interior rainforest, while alpine meadows blaze with the colours of lupine, daisies, monkey flowers, columbine and a host of other wildflowers.
Wildlife Watching
Wildlife sightings are common. Expect to spot deer, squirrels and marmots. Sightings of moose, mountain goats, pica, marten, cougar, black bears and grizzlies are less common. Get really lucky and spot a rare wolverine or mountain caribou.
The park offers 10 walk-in wilderness campsites at Big Peters Lake and 16 sites around the shores of Spectrum Lake.
Practical Points
- Black bears are not uncommon even at lower elevations and definitely on the sub-alpine slopes where they feed in summer.
- The wilderness area of the Monashee Mountains is grizzly bear habitat.
- 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.
Show Less