User:Smably/Sandbox/Strathcona Provincial Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strathcona Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, and the largest on Vancouver Island. Founded in 1911, the park was named for Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, a wealthy philanthropist and railroad pioneer.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
At almost 2,500 square kilometres in area, Strathcona Park is the largest park on Vancouver Island, occupying much of the island's mountainous interior.
The park's terrain is mountainous and rugged; many of Vancouver Island's highest peaks are found in the park. Some notable mountains located within the park boundaries include:
- The Golden Hinde (2198 m)
- Elkhorn Mountain (2166 m)
- Mount Coloner Foster (2129 m)
- Mount Albert Edward (2093 m)
Strathcona Park is also known for its lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers. Buttle Lake is a popular destination for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Also located in the park is Della Falls which, at 440 m in height, is the highest waterfall in Canada.
[edit] Conservation
- Sub-alpine ecosystem: Western Redcedar, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Amabilis Fir, Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock and creeping juniper
- Wildlife: Roosevelt elk, Vancouver Island Marmot, Vancouver Island wolf, and the coastal Black-tailed Deer
- Birds: Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren and kinglet, Gray Jay, Steller's Jay, Blue Grouse, Ruffed Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan
[edit] Recreation
The park is a popular destination for hikers and mountain climbers, as well as swimmers, canoeists, and kayakers. There is an extensive network of hiking trails in the park; visitor facilities are located at Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau.
[edit] See also
- List of British Columbia Provincial Parks
- List of Canadian provincial parks
- List of Canadian national parks
