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25-529: The park is 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) east of Gold River and 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Campbell River . At 2,458 km (949 sq mi), it contains the highest peaks of the Vancouver Island Ranges . Some notable mountains located within the park boundaries include: Strathcona Park is also known for its lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers. Buttle Lake is a popular destination for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Also located in

50-662: Is a village municipality located close to the geographic centre of Vancouver Island in British Columbia , Canada. In terms of the Island's human geography it is considered to be part of the "North Island", even though it technically is on the Island's west coast. Taking advantage of its deep water and abundant forests, Gold River developed in 1967 as a prototypical logging and pulp and paper industry community. Gold River quickly sprang into prosperity and established excellent community facilities. When shifting world markets brought

75-440: Is an extensive network of hiking trails in the park; visitor facilities are located at Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau . The park includes campgrounds, backpacking and cross-country skiing trails, and downhill skiing. There is fishing, in season, for cutthroat , rainbow , and Dolly Varden trout . Campfires are banned in all areas of the park, except in provided fire pits. Although there are no commercial tourist facilities in

100-509: Is due to the community being located inland surrounded by mountains, causing Adiabatic heating to occur giving Gold River its own microclimate. The summer months are also the driest of the year with only 55.4 mm (2.2 in) of rain in July compared to 481.9 mm (19.0 in) in November. The average rainfall all year is 2,846.7 mm (112.1 in) making the west coast of Vancouver Island

125-416: Is entirely within the larger park and comprises 1.5% of the total area. As a Class B park, it is intended to cease its existence and return to the main park when the mine eventually ceases operations. The mine is currently owned by Nyrstar and produces zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold concentrates. In the mid-1950s, 600 hectares (1,500 acres) around the shoreline of Buttle Lake was logged to accommodate

150-404: Is the current record as it stands for the village. The record low was −19 °C (−2.2 °F) recorded on January 28, 1980. Upper Campbell Lake Upper Campbell Lake is a reservoir on Vancouver Island in British Columbia , Canada . The lake was flooded in 1958 for a large hydroelectric project, which raised the water level by 30 metres (98 ft). Crest Creek and headwaters of

175-499: The 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada , Gold River had a population of 1,246 living in 610 of its 692 total private dwellings, a change of 2.8% from its 2016 population of 1,212. With a land area of 10.92 km (4.22 sq mi), it had a population density of 114.1/km (295.5/sq mi) in 2021. In 2001, a two-year-old male orca , later named Luna , was seen in Nootka Sound alone as far inland as

200-716: The Mackenzie Range . This area is the traditional territory of the Mowachaht and Muchalaht people of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations . Commander John Buttle, for whom Buttle Lake is named, first explored the area in the 1860s. In 1890, the British Columbia government conducted a survey to define the boundaries of the E&;N Railway land grant. The grant, given to Robert Dunsmuir 's company in exchange for

225-546: The Strathcona Dam from 1955 to 1958 impounded Upper Campbell Lake, raising the level by 30 metres (98 ft) and causing it to coalesce with Buttle Lake . The damming of the lake also significantly raised the level of the Elk River, another main inflow, which destroyed a large area of elk habitat and has negatively impacted the river function. The flooding removed an estimated 65% of the spawning habitat used by sport fish in

250-466: The marina at Gold River. Presumed to be an orphan separated from his pod , Luna became a local and international celebrity by his playful and curious behavior with lumber tugboats and recreational watercraft on Nootka Sound, and with people, including young children, on the Gold River dock. The popularity of Luna made Gold River an international attraction from early 2002 through March 2006 when Luna

275-561: The Elk Lake trail and mountain climbing Golden Hinde (Vancouver Island's highest peak), Crest Creek climbing crags, MV Uchuck III, and the Great Walk. Gold River also serves as a historic point, being the closest village to the famous Yuquot , or "Friendly Cove", where British explorer Captain James Cook first set ashore. There Cook met the Mowachaht native band's chief, Chief Maquinna . In

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300-622: The Heber River are diverted into the lake. Part of the lake and its watershed is located in Strathcona Provincial Park , and the Strathcona Park Lodge is located on the eastern side. Freshwater fish species in the lake include Cutthroat trout , Rainbow trout and Dolly varden . Upper Campbell Lake is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of the city of Campbell River , and 46 kilometres (29 mi) east of

325-436: The construction of the railway, extended from Muir Creek, near Sooke at the southern end of Vancouver Island , in a straight line to Crown Mountain . All of the land between that line and the east coast of Vancouver Island was included in the grant. The line that formed the west boundary of the grant became the east boundary of Strathcona Park when it was created in 1911. Although originally planned to reach Campbell River ,

350-586: The increase in water levels from the creation of the Strathcona Dam in 1955-1958, impounding Upper Campbell Lake . Strathcona Dam is one of the three hydroelectric dams built to power the John Hart Generating Station on the Campbell River . The variation in water levels in Buttle Lake periodically exposes the stumps. In 1987, the provincial government announced plans to remove large areas from

375-462: The mill closure in 1998, many of Gold River's inhabitants were forced to relocate. Since then, the village has attempted to capitalize on its idyllic setting among picturesque mountains , lakes , rivers , ocean , and forests to develop tourism and sport fishing as its main economic supports. Currently, Gold River serves as a base for such famous activities as the Nootka Island trek, hiking

400-414: The new park reserve which included the first ascent of Crown Mountain on July 29, 1910. W.W. Urquhart led a survey party, which included photographer W.R. Kent and Einar Anderson, throughout the park area in 1913 and 1914. They climbed many of the peaks and named geographic features throughout the park. The First World War caused elaborate plans for a railway and two hotels to be abandoned. As part of

425-527: The park for logging and other industrial uses. The Friends of Strathcona formed a blockade which attracted significant media attention and resulted in the arrest of 63 protesters. The government engaged Peter Larkin to conduct an independent review of the future of the park which eventually resulted in the Strathcona Park Master Plan. Most of the park is designated a conservation area under this plan. The Strathcona Park Public Advisory Committee

450-459: The park is Della Falls which, at 440 m (1,440 ft) in height, is among the highest waterfalls in Canada. The 6,500 m (21,000 ft) thick Karmutsen Formation is the most abundant rock unit in the park. It is a pile of tholeiitic pillow basalts and breccias . It is also the oldest, thickest and most widespread formation on Vancouver Island found on Triple Peak, Cat's Ears Peak and

475-543: The park itself, the nearby Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre provides outdoors education. Visitor facilities are available in the nearby communities of Campbell River and Gold River . Mount Washington Alpine Resort , which offers downhill and cross-country skiing , is located adjacent to the park. The Strathcona Park Lodge also offers weekend camps for tourists or international students with activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, etc. Gold River, British Columbia Gold River

500-511: The railway was never constructed past Courtenay . At the time of the grant, the area within the present park boundaries was considered unexplored. In 1894 and 1896, the area was explored by Reverend William W. Bolton. Bolton's explorations and federal government interest in establishing a national park led BC Premier Sir Richard McBride to set aside a park reserve in June 1910. McBride's Minister of Lands, Price Ellison, lead an expedition to explore

525-677: The village of Gold River . Its main tributaries are the Elk River , and the Tlools, Filberg, Cervis and Drum Creeks. Its only outflow is Campbell River , which also flows in from its headwaters nearby at Buttle Lake . The river flows a short distance out of Upper Campbell Lake via the Strathcona Dam into Lower Campbell Lake . Upper Campbell Lake lies in the Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone . The building of

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550-621: The war effort, there was logging in the Elk River Valley. Over the years which have followed, other industrial uses have affected the park. Mineral claims were staked in the park as early as 1911. In 1939, mining and logging became permitted in the park and in 1959 the Myra Falls Mine (originally owned by Westmin ) was opened. This mine continues to operate in a section of the park called Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park . This area

575-454: The wettest place in Canada. The record high recorded for the village was 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) recorded on July 28, 2009. That record high, however, was shattered during the 2021 Western North America heat wave . A weather station at Ray Watkins Elementary school recorded a new record high of 42.1 °C (107.8 °F) on June 27, which was blown away the next day when the temperature reached 43.7 °C (110.7 °F) on June 28 which

600-735: Was killed in an accidental collision with a tugboat propeller. Gold River has a Marine west coast climate ( Köppen climate classification Cfb ). With warm dry summers and mild rainy winters, during the winter constant Low Pressure Systems moving off of the Pacific Ocean causes winter to be the wettest season. Most precipitation falls as rain year round but snow is not uncommon in the winter months averaging 118 cm (46.5 in) but does not usually stay long. Summers are warm with an average summer temperate of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in July, although afternoon shade temperatures exceeding 30 °C (86.0 °F) are not uncommon in summer. This

625-609: Was set up at this time to provide advice to BC Parks when making management decisions concerning the park. In 1995, the McBride Creek area (37.5 km (14.5 sq mi)) and the Megin watershed (273.9 km (105.8 sq mi)) were added to the park. Later, the Divers and Rossitor Lake addition was included as well. The park is a popular destination for hikers and mountain climbers, as well as swimmers, canoeists, and kayakers. There

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