Tonquin Valley

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The Tonquin Valley is located in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. This majestic valley sits next to the border of the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia an area which is also the continental divide, running along the peaks of the South Jasper Range (Ramparts subrange) which rise above Amethyst Lake. Tonquin Creek drains Moat Lake and flows west into Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia, and empties into the Fraser River. The Astoria River drains south and east into the Athabasca River. Technically, the Tonquin Valley is not actually a valley, but rather a 5-kilometre (3 mi) long mountain pass which cradles the Amythyst Lakes at its crest beneath the 1,000-metre (3,300 ft) Precambrian quartzite wall of the Ramparts^[1]. The valley was named after the Pacific Fur Company ship Tonquin, destroyed in Clayoquot Sound in 1811.

Contents 1 Recreation 2 Wildlife 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External links

[edit] Recreation

Within the valley there is the scenic Amethyst Lake and Moat Lake. It is a popular destination for back-country hikers, ski touring and horseback trips to the two outfitters camps on the shores of Amethyst Lake. There are also a number of backcountry campgrounds and an Alpine Club of Canada hut.

Two trails into the valley are utilized by outfitters, skiers and hikers alike. There is the Portal Creek access, and the Astoria River access trails. Unbeknownst to many is the older and unused access via the Meadow Creek trail. This trail is considered impassable as it has not been maintained for decades. Some portions of the trail are visible in Google Earth.

[edit] Wildlife

The valley is a frequent local for grizzly bears during the summer months as well as mountain caribou, and other Rocky Mountain Wildlife. The lakes are home to an introduced, and stable populations of rainbow trout and brook trout.

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Copeland, Kathy & Craig (2004). Don't Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies: The Opinionated Hiking Guide, 5th ed, Hikingcamping.com. ISBN 0968941974. 
• Corbett, Bill (2004). 11,000ers of the Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountain Books. ISBN 1894765435. 
• Gadd, Ben (1996). Handbook of the Canadian Rockies, 2Rev Ed, Corax Press. ISBN 0969263112. 
• Haberl, Keith (1997). Alpine Huts: A guide to the facilities of the Alpine Club of Canada, 2nd ed, The Alpine Club of Canada, pp. 69-72. ISBN 0920330320. 
• Scott, Chic (1998). Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountain Books. ISBN 0921102135. 

[edit] External links

• Jasper National Park at Parks Canada
• Public avalanche bulletins from the Canadian Avalanche Centre
• Wates-Gibson hut at The Alpine Club of Canada
• Weather forecasts from Environment Canada
• Google Earth

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