Gwaii Haanas National Park
 
Address City
PO Box 37 Queen Charlotte
Province Country
BC Canada
Postal Code
V0T 1S0
 

Location: On the southern part of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). 640 km north of Vancouver.

Season: All Year-round

Climate: Cool & relatively dry (with the emphasis on relativly) from May to Sept. Sea fog Is common. August's average temperature is 14.4 C.

Size: 90 km. from south end to north with an overall sice of approximatley 1,470 sq. km of land.

Backpacking: There are no trails or designated campsites. Visitor services within the protected area are very limited. On the Island you camp were you please: ( The exceptions are at Tanuu Village, Ata Naa, Copper, Rankine or SganGwaii Island or Slug Islet). Ask at any of the Watchmen base-camps for advice on choosing a suitable site. The beaches are the best place to practice no trace camping. (Choose your spot well above the daily high tide mark.)

Hiking: There are no trails or designated campsites. Visitor services within the protected area are very limited.

Kayaking: Gwaii Haanas has some of the best sea kayaking in Canada but sea kayaking Gwaii Haanas is not for novices. It is made up of 138 Islands. The islands sit at the edge of the continental shelf, separated from the British Columbia mainland by the width of the notorious waters of Hecate Strait. The use of guides is common and definately encouraged. For 24 hour weather information for north coast water there is the VHF Continuous Marine Broadcast stations on: 62.40 MHz (WX2, or Weather 2), 161.65 MHz (Channel 21B), 162.55 MHz (WX1, or Weather 1), 162.47 MHz (WX3, Weather 3). You can also call the continuous marine weather broadcasts in Prince Rupert. Fog is an ever present hazard!

Nature: An estimated 750,000 seabirds nest in Gwaii Haanas. These include the rhinoceros auklet, ancient murrelet, tufted puffin, horned puffin, Cassin's auklet, and Leach's fork-tailed storm petrels, common murres, pelagic corrmorants, the bald eagle and Peale's peregrine falcon. You may also see killer whales, humpback, sei, finback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and Steller's sea lions.

Books: Burch, David. Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation (Second Edition). The Globe Pequot Press, Old Saybrook, Connecticut.1993. / Dowd, John. Sea Kayaking. Douglas and MacIntyre, Vancouver. 1988 / Hutchinson, Derek. Derek Hutchinson's Guide to Sea Kayaking. Pacific Search Press. / Canadian Hydrographic Service. Symbols and Abbreviations used on Canadian Nautical Charts.
 

Gwaii Haanas is jointly managed by the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.The park consists of 138 islands with a rich and fascinating diversity of life. The park promotes the protection of the Haida cultural legacy which has been nurtured by them for hundreds of generations. Since Gwaii Haanas is a protected area all visitors must participate in a mandatory orientation session.

The islands that make up the park are situated a good distance off British Columbia's central caost. The park is only accessible by boat or plane.

Gwaii Haanas National Park
 

 

Gwaii Haanas National Park
Address City
PO Box 37 Queen Charlotte
Province Country
BC Canada
Postal Code
V0T 1S0

Location: On the southern part of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). 640 km north of Vancouver.

Season: All Year-round

Climate: Cool & Relatively Dry From May To Sept. Sea Fog Is Common. August's Average Temp. Is 14.4 C.

Size in Hectares or Square km: 90 km. from south end to north end, and has 1,470 sq. km of land.

Backpacking: There are no trails or designated campsites. Visitor services within the protected area are very limited. On the Island you camp were you please: ( The exceptions are at Tanuu Village, Ata Naa, Copper, Rankine or SganGwaii Island or Slug Islet). Ask at any of the Watchmen base-camps for advice on choosing a suitable site. The beaches are the best place to practice no trace camping. (Choose your spot above the daily high tide mark.)

Hiking: There are no trails or designated campsites. Visitor services within the protected area are very limited.

Kayaking: Gwaii Haanas has some of the best sea kayaking in Canada but sea kayaking Gwaii Haanas is not for novices. It is made up of 138 Islands. The islands sit at the edge of the continental shelf, separated from the British Columbia mainland by the width of the notorious waters of Hecate Strait. The use of guides is common and encouraged. For 24 hour weather information for north coast water there is the VHF Continuous Marine Broadcast stations on: 62.40 MHz (WX2, or Weather 2), 161.65 MHz (Channel 21B), 162.55 MHz (WX1, or Weather 1), 162.47 MHz (WX3, Weather 3). You can also call the continuous marine weather broadcasts at 250-624-9000 in Prince Rupert.

Books: Burch, David. Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation (Second Edition). The Globe Pequot Press, Old Saybrook, Connecticut.1993. / Dowd, John. Sea Kayaking. Douglas and MacIntyre, Vancouver. 1988 / Hutchinson, Derek. Derek Hutchinson's Guide to Sea Kayaking. Pacific Search Press. / Canadian Hydrographic Service. Symbols and Abbreviations used on Canadian Nautical Charts.

Gwaii Haanas is jointly managed by the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation.The park consists of 138 islands with a rich and fascinating diversity of life. An estimated 750,000 seabirds nest in Gwaii Haanas. These include the rhinoceros auklet, ancient murrelet, tufted puffin, horned puffin, Cassin's auklet, and Leach's fork-tailed storm petrels, common murres, pelagic corrmorants, the bald eagle and Peale's peregrine falcon. You may also see killer whales, humpback, sei, finback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and Steller's sea lionsThe park also promotes the protection of the Haida cultural legacy which has been nurtured by them for hundreds of generations. Since Gwaii Haanas is a protected area all visitors must participate in a mandatory orientation session.
 
Kootenay National Park
Address City
P.O. Box 220 Radium Hot Springs
Province Country
BC Canada
Postal Code Phone
V0A 1M0 250-347-9615

Fax: 250-347-9980

Size: 1,406 sq. km

Mountain Biking: Mountain biking is permitted only on the East and West Kootenay fire roads. These routes are described in the Kootenay National Park Backcountry Guide.

Mountain Climbing: The Kootenay National Park Climber's Guide gives detailed information about climbs, ridge walks and scrambles within the park. Park Wardens may be contacted for current climbing conditions at 250-347-9361. Climbers are encouraged to use the Voluntary Registration System.

Backpacking: Many of Kootenay's trails offer overnight backcountry opportunities. There are 114 backcountry campsites. You need a Wilderness Pass to stay overnight in the backcountry. The Kootenay National Park Backcountry Trail Guide contains detailed information on the trails. To make a reservation, please call the West Gate Information Centre 250-347-9505 or fax 250-347-6307.

Hiking: There are over 200 km of trails in Kootenay National Park from short walks to full day hikes.

Backcountry and Cross Country Skiing: Nordic trails recommended have a sign depicting a cross-country skier. These trail are not groomed. There are backcountry ski trails as well but they cross dangerous avalanche areas and are designated as ski mountaineering only. For more information, get the Kootenay National Park Nordic Trail Guide.

Snowshoeing: Yes

Winter Camping: Yes

Canoeing: The Vermilion and Kootenay rivers are for experienced paddlers. Route descriptions are available at the information centers. For information on commercial canoeing and rafting operations on the Kootenay River, contact the Western Canadian River Assn. The telephone number is 403-470-0072 or the Kootenay River Runners at 250-347-9210

Kayaking: Flat Water & River, The Vermilion - Kootenay River.

Kootenay National Park is part of the Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Sites which is one of the world's largest protected wilderness areas. The park is also famous for its Radium Hot Springs.
 
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Address City
P.O. Box 350 Revelstoke
Province Country
BC Canada
Postal Code Phone
V0E 2S0 250-837-5155

Fax: 250-837-7536

Size in Hectares or Square km: 260 Square km.

Mountain Climbing: In The Rugged Columbia Mountains

Rock Climbing: Yes

Backpacking: Random Camping Is Permitted Beyond Five km From Pavement With The Exception Of Millar Lake. Campers At Eva And Jade Lakes Must Use The Tent Pads Provided.

Hiking: Mount Revelstoke Has 10 Trails Ranging From Short, Valley-Bottom Strolls, To Steep, Tough Climbs.

Backcountry and Cross Country Skiing: The Trails In The Park Are Neither Groomed Nor Packed. Deep Heavy Snow Is Normal. Light, Cross-Country Ski Equipment Is Not Suitable For These Conditions. Heavier, Ski Touring Or Ski Mountaineering Equipment And Techniques Are More Practical.

Snowshoeing: Yes

Mount Revelstoke has an old-growth forest with 800 year old cedar trees with a boardwalk running through the grove. Some of the animals you might have a chance to see in the park are: grizzly bear, mountain goat, white-tailed ptarmigan, hoary marmot, golden-mantled ground squirrel, mountain caribou and pika, pine marten, coyote, wolverine, lynx, mule deer, snowshoe hare, Columbian ground squirrel, red squirrel, porcupine, gray jay, Clark's nutcracker, and pine siskin.