Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park
About this Park
The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park embraces six large drainages flowing east to the Columbia River system and three flowing west to Kootenay Lake. All of these emanate from the rugged and glaciated backbone of the spectacular Purcell Mountain Range of southeastern British Columbia. This challenging, undeveloped mountain landscape encompasses five biogeoclimatic zones and the only intact ecosystem in southeastern B.C.
Visitors to the Purcell mountains should be experienced, self-sufficient wilderness travellers capable of interpreting topographical maps and route-finding. The wilderness recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, horseback riding (on the east side of the park only) and wildlife viewing.
A special feature also in the park is the Dewar Creek Hot Springs.
Safety information
Trail Reports
- Trail conditions report for the east end of the park [PDF]
- Trail conditions report for the west end of the park [PDF] (scroll to the Purcell entry)
Stay safe
- The park is a wilderness area without supplies or equipment of any kind. All arrangements for supplies and transportation must be made in advance.
- Weather conditions can change suddenly, and lightning storms with hail and snow are common in summer.
- Wear strong, water-proofed, lug-soled boots. Carry a day-pack with rain gear, extra clothing, and food. For overnight trips, a sleeping bag, ground pad, water-proof tent or bivouac bag, and light-weight stove are essential.
- Bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available in the park. To ensure that water from streams is safe to drink, it must be boiled for at least five minutes or treated or filtered.
- Only experienced climbers, practiced in crevasse rescue and properly roped, should venture onto snowfields.
- Loaded logging trucks and other industrial traffic may be encountered while accessing this park from British Columbia. Drive with extreme caution, and for your safety, always yield to industrial traffic.
- Public communications are not available at this park.
- The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy is home to a healthy resident grizzly bear population, so be prepared for sightings. Recognizing recent signs, maintaining clean camps and remaining alert while travelling, are import for your safety, and the safety of the bears.
- Most of the stream crossings in the park are un-bridged and must be forded. The major drainages may be in flood until the end of July and are at times not negotiable either on horse or foot. The exceptions are the three cable cars on the Hamill Creek portion of the Earl Grey Trail, the bridge over Westley Creek on the Dewar Creek trail, and the bridge over Fry Creek Canyon. Note that gloves are useful for pulling on the cable on the cable car crossings.
- Giardiasis, commonly known as “Beaver Fever” exists throughout the backcountry of British Columbia. Boil or filter water before drinking. For more information on Giardiasis, visit HealthLink BC.
- Please be extremely careful with fire. Camp stoves should be used for all cooking.
Special notes
- Historical structures exist. Please use caution.
- Please leave trails and camps as you have found them so that future visitors may enjoy them as you have. Learn more about Leave No Trace outdoor ethics in our backcountry guide.
- Firearms are prohibited except by hunters during open hunting season. Check British Columbia Hunting Regulations for dates.
- A number of guide-outfitters offer hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing multi-day excursions.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited. This includes ATVs, snowmobiles, bicycles, and aircraft.
Location notes
Access to the east side of the park is by gravel roads leading west from Highway 93/95 along Toby Creek, Findlay Creek, Skookumchuck Creek, St. Mary’s River and Dewar Creek. These roads are frequently used by industrial logging traffic. Caution is advised.
Distances vary from 35 to 75 km to the trailheads. West side trailheads at Hamill Creek and Fry Creek are accessed from Highway 31 by turning west at Meadow Creek and proceeding south along the east side of Kootenay Lake to Argenta or Johnson’s Landing. The Kootenay-Joe Road leads from near Johnson’s Landing to the height of land between the front range and the Conservancy.
The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park is a non-mechanized area, access by vehicles of any kind is prohibited and enforced.
Acquiring a backroad map book for the area is recommended.
Activities
- 9435:Pets on leash Dogs in backcountry parks must be under control at all times. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
- 9435:Hiking There are unimproved horse trails in each main valley and routes into many of the side valleys and over passes. Rivers may be impassable during flood season, usually until the end of July. There are no bridges on the east side of the park and hikers will have to ford creeks.Visitors should be able to read maps and be capable of route finding. Because this is a wilderness conservancy, the park has no facilities or marked trails and is not regularly serviced. Visitors should be self-sufficient and proficient in backcountry travel practices. For more information please see the trail information page.
- 9435:Wildlife viewing There are abundant populations of animals including elk, deer, goats, black and grizzly bears, wolverines, martin, beaver, coyotes, wolves and even the occasional caribou. There are also at least 90 species of birds. There are many wildlife viewing opportunities however, be aware that during the summer many animals take refuge at higher elevations.
- 9435:Fishing
- 9435:Climbing Although most alpine opportunities are remote the rugged back bone of the Purcell’s offers many climbing opportunities.
- 9435:Hunting The discharge and carrying of firearms is permitted in this park for the purposes of hunting during open season. Please consult the BC Government Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. Contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with any specific questions.
- 9435:Canoeing There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities in this park.
- 9435:Horseback riding Horseback riding and multi-day pack trips are permitted on the east side as defined by the height of land along the Purcell Mountains. Trails are unimproved, uncut and historical structures such as old bog bridges exist. Use extreme caution while crossing these structures and be prepared to cut out the trail. There are traditional horse camps along most trails. Please use established sites or practice no impact horse camping.Horse use guidelines [PDF]
- 9435:Winter recreation There are winter recreation opportunities for extended backcountry ski touring. Snow machines and aircraft are not allowed as the conservancy is a non-mechanized area.
- 9435:Swimming There are refreshing swimming opportunities at this park in alpine lakes and streams.
Facilities
- 9435:Hot spring For information about Dewar Creek hot springs and the access trail, visit the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy trails page.
- 9435:Campfires Campfires are allowed. For this backcountry area, use dead trees on the ground as wood supply for fires. At traditional campsites, use established fire-rings. In pristine areas, build fires on rocks or dig a hole, scatter the fire remnants and replace the sod ring when you move on. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping.
Location
50.11908, -116.48476 · Kootenay Lake
