Mount Edziza Park

Mount Edziza Park encompasses over 230,000 hectares of the Tahltan Highlands in northwestern British Columbia. This remote park showcases a spectacular volcanic landscape that includes lava flows, basalt plateaus, cinder fields and cinder cones.

Mount Edziza itself, (peak elevation 2,787 m) is a composite volcano consisting of thin basalt flows and a central dome of andesite, dacite and rhyolite with a glaciated crater nearly 2,500 m in diameter. The eruption that built the mountain and its central cone began approximately four million years ago. 

Successive lava flows raised the dome above the encircling plateau and spread lava over an area 65 km by 25 km. The last basalt flow occurred only 10,000 years ago, at which time it solidified in place and plugged the central vent.

In the years since Mount Edziza became dormant, numerous small eruptions have taken place around it, creating more than 30 cinder cones. Perfectly symmetrical Eve Cone rises 150 meters above the plateau, as do Coffee and Cocoa craters, aptly named for their deep colours. It is estimated that these cones were formed no more than 1,300 years ago and are basically unaltered by erosion.

There are also five lakes of significant size within the park. Mowdade, Mowchilla, Kakiddi and Nuttlude form a chain along the eastern boundary, while Buckley Lake is on the northern border. All the lakes except Mowdade drain north into the Klastline River, a tributary of the Stikine.

To the south, Raspberry Pass separates the Edziza area from the Spectrum Range. Formed from lava flows, these mountains are named for their brilliant red, yellow, white and purple rock. This altered rhyolite resulted from staining by sulphurous mineral waters. Subsequent erosion has resulted in the combination of many hues, giving the landscape the appearance of a vast water colour. 

There is no vehicle access to Mount Edziza Park, and there are only a very few basic facilities. This isolated wilderness area, accessible by hiking trails or a float plane, offers wilderness camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, nature study, and wildlife viewing.

Carry proper equipment

• Satellite communication devices are recommended as it will allow you to alert others to an emergency situation or if you are overdue at your destination. This equipment is an essential part of your survival kit and should be compatible with your activities and location.
• This is an isolated wilderness area with no facilities. Suitable clothing offering protection from wind, cold and rain are essential, as well as equipment for outdoor living.
• Travelers should be equipped with a compass and topographic maps for the routes they plan to travel. It should be noted that on the plateau, magnetic properties in the rocks may affect the accuracy of your compass.

Park access

• Access trails into Mount Edziza Park are not maintained and are overgrown in sections. Creek crossings may not have bridges, so use caution.

Conditions

• Summer is short and snow lingers year-round on Mount Edziza itself. Although temperatures may hit the 30°C range in mid-summer during the day, it can drop below freezing that same night. Snow and freezing rain are possible any day of the year. Generally, weather suitable for backpacking occurs between July 1 and September 15. Be prepared for adverse weather conditions that can include white-outs and high winds. Be sure to factor weather into your trip plans.
• Snow packs can obscure the trail on the plateau and cause the creeks to rise suddenly on warm days. Always use extreme caution when crossing creeks.
• If you have questions or can provide information about current conditions or hazards within the Stikine Area, please contact the BC Parks Stikine Area office, at 250-771-4591. Thank you for your cooperation.

Stay on the trail

• Hiking or taking shortcuts through the lava fields is not recommended because it is very difficult and potentially unsafe.
• The volcanic cinder cones on Edziza Plateau are delicate and subject to surface scarring from foot traffic. If you must climb Eve’s Cone or other cinder cones, please stay on established routes. A designated route has been established on the north-east ridge of Eve’s Cone. 
   

Stay safe in bear country

• Store all food and attractants in a personal bear-proof container or in a bear-cache if provided. (Caches currently only exist at Mowdade and Buckley Lakes)
• Food/attractants must be stored properly anytime you are away from your campsite and during the night
• Cook meals and store food/attractants at least 50m away from your tent
• Carry and know how to properly use bear deterrents, such as bear spray and bear bangers
• Never approach or feed bears. Stay at least 200m away at all times
• Report ALL bear sightings and encounters to BC Parks Stikine Area (250-771-4591) or via the RAPP Line (1-877-952-7277)

Aircraft

• Please reference Section 27 (1) and (2) as well as Schedule A of the Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulations.
• Private aircraft are permitted to land within the park, with the exception of the lava flows (on the Kitsu Plateau situated south-southwest of Raspberry Pass) at Mount Edziza Park, from an elevation of 5,500 feet or higher. A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for landing on Buckley Lake, Mowchilla Lake, Little Ball Lake and Little Arctic Lake. To obtain an LOA, please contact the BC Parks Stikine Senior Park Ranger at 250 771-4591 ext.2 or Michael.Janzen@gov.bc.ca
  • Mount Edziza prohibited aircraft take off and landing zone [JPG]
  • Mount Edziza prohibited aircraft take off and landing zone [KMZ]
• Any commercial air charter must hold a valid Park Use Permit to land (on water or grounds) within BC Parks.
• Only permitted air charter companies are authorized to fly into Mount Edziza Park.
  • Alpine Lakes Air Ltd.
  • BC Yukon Air
• BC Parks requests that extreme care be taken to preserve the extraordinary landscape and ecosystem within Mt. Edziza. In an effort to minimize disturbance to wildlife, please maintain a distance of more than 1,500m line of sight/500m vertical from all wildlife and use terrain masking techniques where the weather conditions make this impossible. Take offs/landings are not permitted on sensitive areas (i.e. lava flows, calcite deposits, hot springs etc.) and volcanic cones/features throughout the park. Park visitors should report any obvious signs of aircraft disregard or damage (i.e. tire tracks, skid tracks, rotor wash damage etc.) to sensitive areas and volcanic cones/features. Observations and/or photos can be submitted to the BC Parks Stikine Area office on Telegraph Creek Road, or via telephone at 250 771-4591.

• Motorized vehicles are not permitted within this park for the protection of the very sensitive landscapes, plants and animals of the area.
• Any visitors wishing to fish or angle in BC Parks on the Highway 37 corridor should strongly consider obtaining a BC Freshwater Fishing Licence while they have access to internet and a printer, there are very limited opportunities to obtain a fishing licence on the Highway 37 corridor.
• A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for visitors who wish to use horses within Mount Edziza Park. See the Horseback riding section for details.

National Topographic Series Map Sheets 104G/7/8W/9W/1014E/15E/15W and 16W, all at a scale of 1:50,000, cover the Mount Edziza area. These maps are available from most map retailers in British Columbia. 

Access to Mount Edziza Park comes via several overland hiking routes or through one of the air charter companies that service the area. Overland routes are not regularly maintained, and knowledge of the area is required to safely use these routes. Contact the Stikine Area BC Parks office at 250-771-4591 for up-to-date information.