Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Encyclopedia
Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is one of the oldest provincial parks in British Columbia
, established in 1922. The park has an area of 320.35 km² (123.7 sq mi) and is located in the Selkirk Mountains
in the West Kootenays
region of BC. The park has three glaciers (Kokanee, Caribou, and Woodbury) that feed over 30 alpine lakes which are the headwaters of many creeks.
There are five access roads entering the park, which were developed as mining and forestry roads along the major drainages. The nearest towns are Nelson
, Ainsworth, Kaslo and Slocan City (access is primarily from Nelson and Kaslo). Pierre Trudeau
's youngest son Michel, was killed in an avalanche
in 1998 while skiing at this park (see Kokanee Lake
).
Grays Peak
is a prominent mountain in the park. Named after Robert Hampton Gray
(VC) and his brother, John Balfour Gray, the peak is notable as the mountain featured on the label of Kokanee beer
.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, established in 1922. The park has an area of 320.35 km² (123.7 sq mi) and is located in the Selkirk Mountains
Selkirk Mountains
The Selkirk Mountains are a mountain range spanning the northern portion of the Idaho Panhandle, eastern Washington, and southeastern British Columbia. They begin at Mica Peak near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and extend approximately 320 km north from the border. The range is bounded on its west,...
in the West Kootenays
Kootenays
The Kootenay Region comprises the southeastern portion of British Columbia. It takes its name from the Kootenay River, which in turn was named for the Ktunaxa First Nation first encountered by explorer David Thompson.-Boundaries:The Kootenays are more or less defined by the Kootenay Land...
region of BC. The park has three glaciers (Kokanee, Caribou, and Woodbury) that feed over 30 alpine lakes which are the headwaters of many creeks.
There are five access roads entering the park, which were developed as mining and forestry roads along the major drainages. The nearest towns are Nelson
Nelson, British Columbia
Nelson is a city located in the Selkirk Mountains on the extreme West Arm of Kootenay Lake in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Known as "The Queen City", and acknowledged for its impressive collection of restored heritage buildings from its glory days in a regional silver rush,...
, Ainsworth, Kaslo and Slocan City (access is primarily from Nelson and Kaslo). Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
's youngest son Michel, was killed in an avalanche
Avalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
in 1998 while skiing at this park (see Kokanee Lake
Kokanee Lake
Kokanee Lake is one of over 30 alpine lakes located in British Columbia's Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. The lake is approximately 1,200 m long and 400 m wide, at an elevation of 1,981 m and located at the head of Kokanee Creek. It is fed by the Kokanee Glacier and is the headwater of Kokanee...
).
Grays Peak
Grays Peak (British Columbia)
Grays Peak is a mountain in southeast British Columbia, Canada. It is located in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park in the Kootenays, and is best-known for being the mountain pictured on the label of Kokanee beer.-Location:...
is a prominent mountain in the park. Named after Robert Hampton Gray
Robert Hampton Gray
Robert Hampton "Hammy" Gray VC, DSC was a Canadian naval officer, pilot, and recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War II, one of only two members of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to have been thus decorated in that war.Gray was born in Trail, British Columbia, Canada, but resided in...
(VC) and his brother, John Balfour Gray, the peak is notable as the mountain featured on the label of Kokanee beer
Kokanee beer
Kokanee is a beer brewed at the Columbia Brewery in Creston, British Columbia. Columbia Brewery began brewing Kokanee lager in 1959 and was purchased by the Labatt Brewing Company in 1974.-The Beer:...
.