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PHOTO
CREDIT: PATTY TYACKE - BLUE
JEWEL SNOWMOBILE TOURS
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Geographic
Description
Blue River is located approximately 210
Kilometers north of Kamloops, B.C. on the
Yellowhead Highway. Avola is located 40
Kilometers south of Blue River and is
considered to be part of Area ‘B’. The
trading population of the area is
approximately 500 residents according to the
most recent Community Profile compiled by
Venture Kamloops.
Kamloops <-124 km-> Clearwater <-46 km->
Avola <-39 km-> Blue River <-105 km->
Valemount <-124 km-> Jasper
Blue River is midway between Edmonton and
Vancouver in what is known as the Columbia
Mountain System. The Monashee and Cariboo
Mountain ranges rise over 3,300 metres above
sea level.
First Nations /
First Residents
The First Nations peoples inhabited the
North Thompson Valley long before the
explorers and settlers established
communities in the region. The resilient and
creative native peoples survived on seasonal
foods of the valley which included; berries,
fish, and wild meat. Many roots added
variety and nutrition to their diet. The
first nations peoples of this valley flowing
along the North Thompson River are known as
“The Simpcw (“SEEM-kuh”) and form part of
the Secwepemc, the largest division of the
Interior Salish spread over 56,000 square
miles. ‘David Stuart first encountered the
Secwepemc of the North and south Thompson
rivers in 1811, when his search for furs
stranded him in a dim, smoky put house for
the winter months.’ *Excerpt from: BC
Historical News, Vol. 35 No. 3; Written by
Muriel Poulton Dunford. From this account,
we know that early explorers found the first
nations peoples to be well established in
the North and South Thompson regions early
on.
Pioneers
and Settlers
Founding pioneers to the areas now known as
Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD)
area ‘B’, were inspired by the unsurpassed
beauty, ruggedly rich natural environment,
and abundant wildlife. The areas of Blue
River and Avola became known as the
’Thompson Headwaters’, being located at the
‘top’ of the Thompson River Valley. The Gold
Rush Era attracted those searching for their
fortune to travel the route that we call
‘The Yellowhead in the mid 1800’s. The
‘highway’ was first used to transport goods
on foot, by cart and eventually the railway
followed it’s course across the country.
 Canadian
National Railway
The Canadian National Railway established
switching tracks and a roundhouse in Blue
River in 1916, which proved to be an ideal
location for this railway hub. In years to
come the railway would provide links between
Alberta and British Columbia’s coast that
were invaluable for transporting; furs,
timber, goods, and people from province to
province. Following World War II logging
became the prevalent industry throughout the
North Thompson region with numerous logging
camps, sawmills and logging export taking
place following the Thompson River Valley.
Highway
and Logging Development
In the 1960’s logging operations became more
concentrated in specific areas in the North
Thompson. Many of the smaller mills were
absorbed into larger company operations
creating towns around them such as; Vavenby,
Clearwater and Barriere. Soon after this
consolidation of logging mills began the
Yellowhead Highway was built, creating the
active highway that remains a major route
for trucking, tourism and transportation
today.
Climate
Blue River and Avola feature a lovely summer
climate with beautifully warm days and
evenings that cool off nicely. Winters can
be extreme with cold temperatures and over
four meters of deep powder snow falling on
the valley.
Tourism
Tourism is currently the mainstay of the
economy in Blue River due to the successful
marketing of Mike Wiegele’s Heli Ski Resort,
the proximity of the community right on the
Yellowhead Highway and the increased tourism
in neighboring Wells Gray Park. Other
supportive tourism related businesses such
as the River Safari (summer driven) and Blue
Jewel Snowmobile Tours (winter focused) also
provide additional attraction for tourism
seasonally. Tourism has become the dominant
economic stimulus in Blue River. With such
growing interest in Eco-Tourism due to the
pristine wilderness surrounding the area the
potential for further tourism development is
key to the survival of this area.
PHOTO CREDIT: LEIGH BUDGELL - BLUE RIVER
CAMPGROUND |
Surrounding Mountains
The Wiegele Heli Ski Resort is located on
the edge of Blue
River, nestled between
the majestic Cariboo and Monashee Mountains.
The extreme heli ski area encompasses 8,300
square
kilometers, over 1,000 peaks and runs, and
reaches elevations of over 3,500 metres.
Other compatible winter activities to add to
the visitor experience are; snowmobiling,
cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The
resort has become a year round destination
attracting outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Picnicking, Hiking, Fishing, Mountain
Biking, Camping, Canoeing or Climbing are
just a few of the summer activities one can
choose to take part in during their stay.
Wells
Gray Park
With the nearby access to Wells Gray Park, a
three million acre wildlife park that
stretches from Clearwater’s Wells Gray
Country to Blue River’s Murtle Lake. Blue
River offers visitors the only access to
Murtle Lake, one of North America’s largest
non motorized lakes. The park is home to
over 200 species of birds and 56 mammals.
Helmcken Falls is one of the most
photographed sites in B.C. as the fourth
tallest waterfall in Canada at 141 metres in
height. Wells Gray Park hosts five major
lakes, two large river systems, and a
multitude of waterfalls. Wells Gray Park
offers tourists the a variety of welcoming
accommodations such as; cottages, bed and
breakfasts, lodges, motels, hotels, resorts
and back country chalets for hut-to-hut
hiking.
Fishing
Blue River, Avola and other parts of the
North Thompson valley are renowned for
spectacular fishing opportunities in all
seasons. Many resorts provide boat and gear
rentals to clients with their accommodation.
Other summer activities in the region are
canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback
riding and camping.
Ideal
Snowmobiling and Skiing Conditions!
In the winter season, Blue River’s deep, dry
powder beckons to the backcountry skier and
is perfect for a day of snowmobiling with a
local club or guiding company. Wells Gray
Country and Blue River / Avola have
excellent web sites that post current snow
conditions and weather.
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PHOTO
CREDIT: PATTY TYACKE - BLUE
JEWEL SNOWMOBILE TOURS
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Local
Waterways
Located in one of the most pristine natural
environments in the world, the Blue River
and Avola area is surrounded by numerous
lakes, rivers and streams. These features,
set in a rugged wilderness, attract both
locals and visitors.
i. The North Thompson River and Great
Fishing!
The Thompson River, the largest tributary of
the Fraser, drains an area of 56,000 square
kilometres. It carries runoff from the
Columbia and Monashee mountains, through
Kamloops to the Fraser and Lytton. The North
Thompson rises in the same general area as
the Fraser, but runs south between the
mountains. Close to 50 percent of the
province's total freshwater sport fishing
occurs in the Thompson-Nicola region.
Relative to its size, the Thompson Nicola
Regional District is unsurpassed in British
Columbia for its sports fishery. The
Thompson River is an historic
salmon-spawning tributary of the Fraser
River, and includes small streams where
rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Kokanee lay
their eggs. Flowing from the Rocky
Mountains, the North Thompson passes by the
communities of Blue River, Avola, Vavenby,
Clearwater, Little Fort, Barriere and
Heffley Creek. From its junction with the
Clearwater River immediately south of Wells
Gray Provincial Park, the North Thompson
runs almost due south until it joins its
other main branch, the South Thompson, at
Kamloops. The North Thompson is a beautiful
blue-green river, weaving through heavy
forest of Cedar, Fir and Spruce. There are
some sections of wild water, but for the
most part, the North Thompson is quite tame,
allowing for some excellent drifts. Chinook
salmon and Dolly Varden are the main targets
for fishermen.
ii. Eleanor
Lake
In the centre of the community of Blue
River, Eleanor Lake offers a great beach,
swimming and fishing in summer, and
cross-country skiing and ice fishing in
winter. The Don Forsyth beach house offers
showers, washrooms, lifeguards and a
concession during the summer months.
iii. Mud
Lake
Mud Lake is located about 20 km east of the
community of Blue River. Wild West Jets
River Safari has been operating jet-boat
tours on Mud Lake and Mud River for the past
four years. The tours offer panoramic views
of the surrounding peaks as well as glimpses
of bears, moose, eagles and other wildlife.
The spectacular waterfall, Parberry Falls,
flows into Mud Lake.
PHOTO CREDIT: MERLIN BLACKWELL,
DARYL & CHRIS COWIE |
iv.
Murtle Lake
Murtle Lake is located 27 km west of the
community of Blue River. With a surface area
of 57 square kilometers, it is North
America’s largest canoe-only lake. Set in a
pristine mountain valley, the north and west
arms are approximately 20 km long, and the
lake averages three kilometres wide.
Internal combustion engines, electric
motors, pets and firearms are banned.
v. The Blue
River
The Blue River flows east out of Blue Lake,
which is located in Wells Gray Provincial
Park. After joining the North Blue River, it
runs near the community before flowing into
the North Thompson River. A Highway #5
bridge crosses right over the Blue River.
vi. Finn
Creek
Finn Creek is located 21 km south of the
community of Blue River. As well as being an
important salmon habitat, it is an excellent
place for wildlife viewing. Old hiking
trails can be found along the creek.
vii. Twin
Lakes and Mystery Lake
Twin Lakes and Mystery Lake are unmarked
lakes located northwest of Blue River. They
are great little fishing lakes.
viii. Cedar
Creek, Smoke Creek, Whitewater Creek and
Wilkins Creek
Cedar Creek, Smoke Creek, Whitewater Creek,
and Wilkins Creek are just a few of the
branches of the North Thompson River in the
Blue River and Avola area.
Parks
British Columbia has more than 800
provincial parks and protected areas,
attracting about 24 million visits every
year. Currently, these parks and protected
areas total 8.2 million hectares, which
accounts for 9.2 % of B.C.’s land base. The
picturesque parks in the Blue River and
Avola area offer world-class outdoor
recreation, while striving to protect the
diverse wildlife and environment.
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PHOTO CREDIT: MERLIN BLACKWELL,
DARYL & CHRIS COWIE
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i.
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray Park is one of British Columbia’s
largest parks, encompassing 540,000 hectares
in the Cariboo Mountains. There are six
major lakes in the park: Murtle Lake,
Clearwater Lake, Mahood Lake, Azure Lake,
Hobson Lake and Canim Lake. Murtle Lake is
the closest to Blue River and the largest
non motorized lake in North America.
ii. Murtle
Lake Park
Blue River provides access to Wells Gray
Park through Murtle Lake. With a surface
area of 57 square kilometers, Murtle Lake is
the largest canoe-only lake in North
America. It is fed by numerous streams, the
largest being the Murtle River which flows
south from glaciers in the Cariboo
Mountains. The Murtle also drains the lake,
rushing westward over seven waterfalls and
numerous rapids to meet the Clearwater
River. Murtle Lake is located 27 kilometres
west of Blue River along a winding, narrow
gravel road. The road to Murtle Lake parking
lot is accessible by high clearance
vehicles. From there, a 2.5 kilometre trail
leads to the canoe launch. Only canoes and
kayaks are allowed on the lake and there is
no vehicle access to the lakeshore. Murtle
Lake Park encompasses 6900 hectares in the
mid-section of Wells Gray Park and is noted
for Rainbow and Kokanee trout fishing. The
north arm of the lake extends fjord-like
deep into the mountains, while it’s west arm
has sandy beaches and many coves. There are
69 wilderness and canoe-in camping sites at
20 locations along the 100 kilometres of
pristine shoreline. Numerous hiking trails
include the McDougall Falls Trail, Anderson
Lake Trail, Henrietta Lake Trail, File Creek
Portage Trail and the Wavy Alpine Trail.
iii. Mud
Lake Delta Provincial Park
With an interesting mosaic of habitats on
rich floodplain wetlands, back channels,
beaver ponds, oxbow lakes, cottonwoods and
sedge meadows, this park contains a pristine
delta area suited to nature study, wildlife
viewing, fishing and hunting. Located on the
east end of Mud Lake, due east of Blue River
and 230 kms. north of Kamloops on Highway
#5, Mud Lake Delta Provincial Park is
accessible by boat via the North Thompson
and Mud Rivers. There is also an active
logging road that can be used to access
portions of the Park. The area shows early
successional stages on delta formations,
with old-growth mixed cedar, hemlock and
spruce on steep slopes on both sides. The
park is an important bull trout spawning
area and has possible Coho salmon spawning
and rearing areas. It has excellent moose
calving and year-round habitat and could
possibly be spring Grizzly range as well.
iv. Finn
Creek Provincial Park
Finn Creek Provincial Park is located on the
North Thompson River 70 km north east of
Clearwater and 21 kms. south of Blue River
off Highway 5. The 303-hectare Finn Creek
Provincial Park encompasses the lower part
of the meandering Finn Creek and several
small islands in the North Thompson River.
Surrounding vegetation includes stands of
cottonwoods, cedars, hybrid spruce and
birch. The park protects important spawning
habitat for the bull trout, Coho salmon and
Chinook salmon. It is also an excellent
year-round habitat for moose and a variety
of bird species. Past surveyors used Pinkie
Peak, adjacent to the eastern boundary of
the park, as a lookout point up and down the
valley. The Old Highway 5 passes along the
west side of the park, featuring heritage
sites and old homesteads. There are no
camping or day-use facilities provided in
the park. Rough and unmaintained trails
exist along Finn Creek.
v. North
Thompson Oxbows Manteau Park
North Thompson Oxbows Manteau Park is
located on the North Thompson River,
southwest of Valemount and 28 miles (45 km)
north of Blue River. Access is via logging
roads 4 miles (6 km) and 7.5 miles (12 km)
west of where Highway 5 crosses the North
Thompson River. The park is a wide,
meandering river system containing
floodplains, wetlands, numerous oxbow lakes,
sandbars, back channels and levees, along
the glacier-fed North Thompson River. It
encompasses 808 hectares of floodplains in
the North Thompson River lowlands (293
hectares between Lempriere and Canvas
Creeks, and 515 hectares between Canvas and
Manteau Creeks). Creeks on steep forested
slopes to the north and south sides feed the
park’s floodplains during spring runoff,
which provides important habitat for moose,
grizzly bears, wolves and beavers. The many
waterways provide habitat for Rocky Mountain
Whitefish, Rainbow Trout and Bull Trout, and
the North Thompson River is an important
spawning ground for Chinook and Coho salmon.
There are no camping or day-use facilities
provided at the park.
vi. Blue
River Black Spruce Provincial Park
The Blue River Black Spruce Provincial Park
encompasses an area of deep river meanders,
oxbows, sandbars, and uplands in the North
Thompson River. It is located beside Highway
#5, on the North Thompson River, near the
north boundary of the community of Blue
River. This park protects the southern-most
extent of black spruce into the region.
Nature study and ecological education
opportunities exist in the area. Also, the
park has river access for canoeing. No
camping or day-use facilities are provided
here. The park protects diverse wetland
habitat that includes an extensive stand of
Black Spruce, which is unique to the region.
It is noted for acidification of soils with
associated plants: Sundew, Labrador Tea,
Sphagnum Moss, and Sundew. The park also
covers moose calving, rearing and winter
habitat as well as mule deer and black bear
use in the spring. The area is important
Rainbow and Bull Trout spawning habitat, and
Chinook and Coho juvenile salmon rearing
habitat. Great Blue Herons nest high in the
trees of the park.
vii. Blue
River Pine Provincial Park
Blue River Pine Provincial Park is located
in the community of Blue River. The park
protects a combination of wetland and upland
on sandy fluvial-glacial soils along the
lower stretches of the Blue River. Dry
Lodgepole Pine forest type, uncommon in the
North Thompson Valley is represented. This
park also protects a very unusual
association of Vaccinium myrtilloides
(Velvet-Leaf Blueberry) with Lodgepole Pine.
The wild berries make this a noted summer
habitat for Black Bear. No camping or
day-use facilities are provided here,
however, locally maintained ski trails are
present and snowshoeing is a popular winter
activity in the park.
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