A great BC park to visit

[garyhaupt]

If you happen to be sitting there wondering to yourself..."where in BC haven't I gone to?" I was in your shoes a couple weeks ago..and somewhere I heard the words..'Wells Gray Prov Park'...huh..I knew the name but not the actual location..or why one would go there. So..some research and away I went. You should see the waterfalls!!! And...you can...I made the FB pix public. Go look. The park is open year round, office is now closed, and the campgrounds are left open..Pyramid seems to be the popular one. Road is paved to the 45k mark..and that is where the sights are, for the most part.

https://www.facebook.com/gwhaupt/posts/10212494716316476?pnref=story


Gary Haupt

[garyhaupt]

I am home now...I will say to anyone who is listening...the drive alongside the River Pend Orille...between Newport Wa., and Ione Wash..Highways 22/31? Man...so gorgeous. And yes..those pix can be seen on my FB page because I have made them public. Or the Blog..of course.

Gary Haupt

[GeeWillakers]

We camped at Wells Gray two years ago. Aside from the five waterfalls there is the lake where you can have dinner at the headwaters, and you can paddle up to the second lake (Azure) to the marine campsites. Also, on the way back you can drive north on a side road up a mountain and then hike about 6km almost to a campsite by a lake. Stunning view of sheer drop off on one side and way up the mountain on the other. Definitely a place to go back to again and again. Waitress said about 70% of visitors are from Europe. Would like to see more from NA (we tip better). Looking forward to Idaho, Utah and Colorado.

[ReneeG]

Yes, hot springs everywhere to be found and free. Some you have to hike to and others as are close as the highway.

[garyhaupt]

Rats..wish I'd known about the sub research station. I have made my way to Kettle Falls. One of my tasks is to pop into as many craft beer places as I cam find. Kettle Falls is my next to last..tomorrow is Republic.

Talking to a guy in Sandpoint this mor ing..tell me that Idaho has more hot springs then Wa., Or. and Nevada put together. I am gonna have to look into that.

I want to put it out there..if anyone wants a heart stoppingly beautiful fall drive..the W #2/20 from Priest up to Colville is that. There are some pix on FB to be seen.

Gary Haupt

[ReneeG]

Not sure where you are heading next Gary, but we've stayed at a couple of nice Idaho State Parks up there - Priest Lake, not sure it's open this time of year and Farragut, just south of you near Athol. GREAT State park with full hookups and very interesting to visit. It was once a Naval Training Camp and there is a submarine research station in the town of Bayview.

[garyhaupt]

Yes..it's not something that is advertised I suppose. Although the staff and the tourist office was very helpful..ohh...right...was closed when you went by? They let anyone that calls or stops in know that the camp ground at Pyramid is good to go. Plus, there was lots of evidence of overnighting in non-camping places...left over fire bits n pieces.

I gotta say...I have enjoyed these two weeks wandering around. I am now in Idaho..Sandpoint..for Thursday night..the temps are mild and although that could change quickly, the whole two weeks has been really nice.

In case anyone is wondering? The only dump station I have found open after I lieft Wells Gray was in Cranbrook. Man..I was beginning to wonder about that!


Gary Haupt

[Harvey51]

Last time we went there, October 2015, we didn't camp in the park because there were closed signs on the campsites. We camped overnight in the village of Clearwater near the turnoff to the park. In the morning we learned at the tourist info that it is "understood" camping is allowed at one of the park campsites free all winter.

Indeed a canoe or kayak is a great asset there. We rented a canoe on a long lake there years ago.

[garyhaupt]

I don't if how many might care, but I am still rolling about BC...till tomorrow anyway, when I drop into Idaho and then head west along 20. Anyway...I have made all the FB pictures Public.

Gary Haupt

[Paoli]

Fall colours are great at Mahood Lake. I drove there from 100 Mile House, west side of the park.

[rbrand]

We visited several years ago and took the the boat tour. Beautiful. Very memorable.

[DaveG39]

Was there last summer. Nice Park.

[romore]

It is a beautiful park although road access is limited. I wish we could have taken a canoe trip up the lake.

[garyhaupt]

ReneeG wrote:
Wells Gray Provincial Park is beautiful. We went there years ago and stayed at the KOA nearby which was really nice.

Glad you enjoyed it.


Gary

[garyhaupt]

hedge wrote:
I've been meaning to get there, thanks for the reminder I think I know my top destination for next year.

I hope you go..and I think fall is the best...colours, etc.

Gary