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38-600: The Ulkatchotʼen or Ulkatchos or Ulkatcho people are a First Nations people in the Chilcotin District of the Canadian province of British Columbia. They are a subgroup of the Dakelh (Carrier) but reside alongside and share governmental institutions with neighbouring communities of Tsilhqotʼin as well as other Dakelh. Notable Ulkatcho include Carey Price , hockey player, whose mother, Lynda Price

76-713: A First Nations eccentric-cum-spirit person, Lilly Skinner, and Nemaia: the Unconquered Country by Terry Glavin , which recounts the story of the Chilcotin War of 1864 and the flavour of the Nemaia Valley today (the Nemaia is the main residence of the Xeni Gwetin, who were the main instigators of the war). Edwards's cabin, and the trumpeter habitat, are world heritage sites although his cabin

114-477: A deep canyon that makes measurement difficult. The largest towns in the Chilcotin are Alexis Creek , Anahim Lake and Hanceville , which are all First Nations communities. Other communities in the Chilcotin are Towdystan , Nimpo Lake , Nemaiah Valley , Tatla Lake , and Tatlayoko Lake, though settlers (usually small ranchers and owners and staff of small resorts) are scattered across the backcountry. There

152-632: A distinct identity from the Cariboo District. It is, nonetheless, part of the Cariboo Regional District which is a municipal-level body governing some aspects of infrastructure and land-used planning. The vast majority of the population are First Nations people, members of the Tsilhqot'in and Dakelh peoples, while others are settlers and ranchers. The Chilcotin district is mostly a wide, high plateau, stretching from

190-658: A few at risk species in this park. For the Nuxalk people, salmon from South Tweedsmuir's waterways have had significant cultural and economic importance. Salmon served, and continues to serve, as a reliable, important food source. In 2005-2015, sockeye salmon spawners in South Tweedsmuir's Atnarko River diminished in numbers from 30,000 to 2,500. In a recovery plan, made by the Nuxalk Nation, three key recovery strategies were suggested: improve general knowledge of

228-475: A historic footpath used by local First Nations for trade and travel between the coast and the interior . This trail would later be used by British explorer Alexander Mackenzie to become the first European to transit the continent by land and see the Pacific Ocean . A portion of the trail transits the park via Heckman Pass and Burnt Bridge Creek. With such a vast area the climate varies throughout

266-459: A noted Vancouver journalist. St. Pierre's writing encapsulated Chilcotin folklore and daily life and are written in a crisp, ironic and often humorous style; the best-known is Smith and Other Events and Cariboo Cowboy , while Stowe's writings focus on the wildlife of the area on the western rim of the district, adjacent to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park . His Crusoe of Lonesome Lake is about early settler Ralph Edwards and his work protecting

304-626: Is a Canadian Forces artillery and tactics range on the eastern edge of the plateau, in the vicinity of old Fort Chilcotin (this land was originally set aside for military purposes following the Chilcotin War). Also of major importance in the Chilcotin is the Gang Ranch , once the world's largest and still among the major beef suppliers in British Columbia . "The Gang" dates from the 1860s and covers nearly all terrain south of

342-520: Is a provincial park covering parts of the eastern Kitimat Ranges , northern Pacific Ranges , and the Rainbow Range in British Columbia , Canada . It was established on May 21, 1938 in the western interior of the province, to protect its important natural features. The park hosts a variety of recreation activities for visitors. This park encompasses a range of diverse species in this park including bears, moose, and various fish. There are also

380-492: Is accessed by Highway 20 , which runs from the port town of Bella Coola , at the head of South Bentinck Arm , a coastal fjord piercing into the heart of the Coast Mountains , across the mountains and plateau to the city of Williams Lake , the principal town of the south Cariboo . Near Highway 20 in the southern end of Tweedsmuir Park is Hunlen Falls , at 1226 feet (373.7 m) one of Canada's highest, plunging into

418-919: Is known as the Brittany Triangle and is currently under hot dispute between preservationists and logging interests. East of the Tsʼilʔos Provincial Park is Big Creek Provincial Park and the Churn Creek Protected Area , while to the southeast is the Spruce Lake Protected Area aka "the South Chilcotin", which despite its nickname is mostly in the Bridge River Country , part of the Lillooet Country and not part of

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456-746: Is the chief of the Ulkatcho First Nation , the band government of the Ulkachot'en. This British Columbia -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This First Nations in Canada –related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Chilcotin District The Chilcotin district is often viewed as an extension of the Cariboo region, east of that river, although it has

494-645: Is the most prominent threat the area is facing. Drought conditions in the fall of 2022 significantly reduced that year's salmon population, affecting many other species depending on its survival. Floods have also been forecast, threatening drought-stricken ecosystems in BC. The park also frequently suffers mountain pine beetle infestations due to milder temperatures in winter. Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park hosts opportunities for angling , hiking , horseback riding , camping (both front-country and backcountry), and canoeing. There are two vehicle-accessible campgrounds in

532-599: The Chilcotin River and east of Taseko Lake and the Fraser River , and skirting the Bridge River Country to its south. The vast terrain of the Gang Ranch is more wilderness than pasture, with natural plateau and alpine meadowland and vast forests and swamps. The Gang verges up into the foothill area of the northeastern flank of the Coast Mountains as they approach the Fraser River from the west, meeting

570-453: The Coast Mountains and plateau between the Fraser and the spine of the Coast Mountains . The Chilcotin is also known for its large population of mustang horses , which have contributed to the bloodlines of domesticated horses in the regions, including a variety known as the cayuse pony or, in some local spellings, cayoosh (the old name for the town of Lillooet ), which lies just outside

608-590: The Fraser between the Gang Ranch's main house and the town of Lillooet . Similar ranching conditions are found from the Burns Lake and Smithers area in northwestern Interior BC all the way south to the US border, including the famous Douglas Lake Ranch south of Kamloops , but the Gang is by far the largest, and the most wild in character. Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park

646-672: The Park Act . The park covered an area of 981,000 hectares at creation, making it by far the largest provincial park in British Columbia at the time. It included most of the present day parks of Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park, Tweedsmuir North Provincial Park and Protected Area , and Entiako Provincial Park . In 1956, the park boundaries were revised so that the region around the Entiako River could be opened for resource extraction. The region would again be protected under

684-421: The trumpeter swans which migrate through the region; Edwards' own volume Ralph Edwards of Lonesome Lake parallels Stowe's account, and the book Ruffles On My Longjohns by his sister-in-law Isabel Edwards documents her tribulations as the wilderness wife of a wildlife advocate. Another notable book from more recent times are Chiwid by Sage Birchwater of Tatlayoko Lake, documenting eyewitness reminiscences of

722-486: The Chilcotin Country, which begins at the protected area's northern and northwestern borders. Despite its small population and isolation, the region has produced a small but very readable literature mixing naturalism with native and settler cultures and memoirs. The most well-known Chilcotin authors are Leland Stowe and Paul St. Pierre ; the latter was formerly Member of Parliament for Coast Chilcotin and

760-466: The Chilcotin to the southeast, near where the plateau meets the Fraser River . Still "controlled" today due to their competition for forage with cattle herds, they were once so overpopulated — even before put into competition with the feed demands of large-scale ranching — that a high bounty was set on them and they were hunted out, and nearly exterminated. They are believed to be stock brought in during gold rush times, as according to contemporary records

798-666: The Chilcotins did not have horses until then. Author and guide-outfitter Chilco Choate, however, points out that forage patterns and the adaptation of the breed to the area, it is more likely that they entered the area, already wild prior to domestication by local natives and being perhaps offshoots of the large horseherds acquired by the Okanagan and Nez Perce and other plateau peoples several decades before. Despite their controlled status, their population survives today, though imperilled by expansion of ranching and logging. The area

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836-497: The Edwards Family for the swans of lonesome lake during harsh winters in the 1920s. There are no species endemic to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. However, at least two species endemic to Canada can be found in the park. Due to the sensitivity of that information, the species cannot be disclosed publicly. Human recreation and other disturbances are threats to Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. However, climate change

874-800: The area of the lakes, in the southern part of the district, is now the Tsʼilʔos Provincial Park , also known as the Xeni Gwetʼin Wilderness after the Xeni Gwetʼin , the local subdivision of the Tsilhqotʼin people) and are also known as the Stony Chilcotin, who were also instrumental in the campaign for that area's preservation. The forested plateau area just northeast of the park, between the Chilko River and Taseko Rivers ,

912-598: The campgrounds. Wildlife viewing , specifically of grizzly bears and black bears is a focus of the park in the autumn along the Atnarko River . This occurs in September when the salmon are spawning and can be found at the Belarko Wildlife viewing platform. The main corridor through the park, along the highway, is interpreted by a series of signs developed as a partnership between BC Parks and

950-410: The higher forties during high summer. Tweedsmuir is a large provincial park that includes many different biogeoclimatic zones that include different types of trees. Due to its size, the park offers a vast variety of diverse habitats. It is made up of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, plateaus and dense forests. The Eutsuk lake is notable as it divides the park into the north Tweedsmuir park and

988-575: The more famous Lewis and Clark Expedition . In August 1937, Governor General of Canada John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir travelled extensively by float aircraft and horseback in the area of the park. He and his party were greatly impressed by the magnificence of its pristine wilderness, so much so that he encouraged the provincial government to preserve it. On May 21, 1938, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia established Tweedsmuir Provincial Park by order-in-council under

1026-496: The mountains to the Fraser River , but also includes several fjord-like lakes which verge from the plateau into the base of the mountains. The largest of the lakes in the region is Chilko Lake , which feeds the Chilko River , the main tributary of the Chilcotin River . Other major lakes are Tatlayoko Lake ( / ˈ t æ t l ə k oʊ / TAT -lə-koh ) and Taseko Lake ( / t ə ˈ s iː k oʊ / tə- SEE -koh );

1064-644: The newly established Entiako Provincial Park in 1999 and Entiako Protected Area in 2001. Due to the difficulty of operating Tweedsmuir Provincial Park as a single park unit, it was broken up into two operating units: Tweedsmuir North Provincial Park and Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park. Tweedsmuir Park is located east of the Kitimat Ranges in the western interior of British Columbia. The park covers almost one million hectares and spans four regional districts : Bulkley-Nechako , Cariboo , Central Coast , and Mount Waddington . The southern portion of

1102-505: The park is along Highway 20 , approximately 400 kilometres west of Williams Lake . Access is also possible along the Discovery Coast Passage ferry and Inside Passage from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island on BC Ferries or by float plane from Nimpo Lake , Anahim Lake or Bella Coola. Tweedsmuir Park protects the entirety of the Rainbow Range , a collection of volcanic peaks where heavy mineralization has given

1140-477: The park. However in the lower regions closer to the Bella Coola Valley the temperature is warmer with a higher annual level of rainfall. Around one fifth of their annual precipitation falls as snow. Further west as the altitude climbs the weather is generally more severe and the temperature changes throughout the summer and winter are drastic. On average ranging between the minus thirties mid winter, to

1178-574: The park. There are also four designated picnic areas within the park. There is limited vehicle-accessible winter camping as well. The Tweedsmuir Ski Club maintains a small ski hill within the boundaries of the park with a single handle tow and cross-country ski trails. Snowmobiling is permitted within the Rainbow Range designated snowmobiling area. Swimming is not recommended in the Bella Coola and Atnarko Rivers which are located at

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1216-752: The sides of some mountains. The Rainbow Mountain Range is home to mountain goats , and there are many grizzlies and black-tailed deer that live in the valley. There are also moose and black bears present in Tweedsmuir park, although there is not much information about their population sizes. Other species that have been documented are: Red squirrels , beavers , muskrats , martens , weasels , mink , otters , lynx , wolverines , wolves , coyotes , and red foxes . There are also diverse small mammals including mice , shrews , chipmunks , voles , and lemmings . Different fish are present at various times in

1254-491: The sockeye’s ecology, conduct a quality analysis of the river water, and synthesis of data from previous conservation measures. It is uncertain if these strategies are currently being implemented by the government. In 1793, British explorer Alexander Mackenzie travelled through the area of the park on his journey to the Pacific Ocean . He became the first European man to see the Pacific coast of North America, 12 years before

1292-411: The soil an array of colours. The park also protects Hunlen Falls , a 260 metre tall waterfall with one of highest unbroken drops in Canada. The park was also home to Lonesome Lake, famed for homesteader and conservationist Ralph Edwards , who worked to preserve migration habitat there for the trumpeter swan . The Alexander MacKenzie Heritage Trail is a heritage trail that follows the routing of

1330-476: The south Tweedsmuir park. The mountains on the western edge of the park, are eroded by glaciers, and the rainbow range is made up of a series of eroded lava domes that create a multicoloured hue to the viewer, as well as providing steep canyons as crucial habitat for some of the wildlife. Along the coast is a Hemlock Forest. At lower elevations, there is a forest that includes lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, and Douglas-fir. Engleman spruce and subalpine fir grow on

1368-501: The year.  Observed fish populations are steelhead trout , chinook salmon , coho , cutthroat trout and dolly varden . Fishing is a popular activity in south Tweedsmuir park. These fish are a food source for the bears that inhabit the park. Historically, Tweedsmuir Park was inhabited by the SARA-listed woodland caribou . As of October 2021, the estimated population of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) around South Tweedsmuir Park

1406-485: Was 160 individuals. The "Provincial Caribou Recovery Program" aims to reestablish populations in British-Columbia. Recent sightings around Tweedsmuir confirm their presence in the area. Due to overhunting, the trumpeter swan was near extinction in the early 20th century. The implementation of conservation efforts across North America led to the species recovery. One such example was the caretaking efforts of

1444-433: Was burned out in large forest fires in the summer of 2004. Another Chilcotin author is Ted "Chilco" Choate, a hunting guide at Gaspard Lake in the southeastern part of the district who writes about animals, hunters and the wilderness lifestyle. Choate is one of the main advocates for combining the Tweedsmuir, Tsʼilʔos, Spruce Lake/South Chilcotin, Big Creek and Churn Creek wilderness areas into one large national park spanning

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