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On Two
Feet...
Wells
Gray is the sort of place which rewards those who get out on their
own two feet to explore what’s around the next corner. This might be
anything from a short stroll in the forest to a multi-day expedition
to high alpine peaks: the incentives of good exercise and an
outstanding natural experience are much the same!
This page
covers the following:
The
trail-guide adds more information on individual routes:
we have also included
topographic maps
to show the routes, which tie-in with maps at the trailheads and parking-areas
throughout the Park, and other information available at the
info-centre.
Please
note that some trails
and access-roads are of variable quality: the
info-centre is always able to provide more details.
A Walk
in the Park
There are numerous easy trails within the Park, the majority of
which are kept in good condition. These range in length from a few
hundred metres to around 5km (3 miles), and take from a few minutes
to several hours to cover. Most are fairly level and have few or no
obstacles, but you should be prepared to encounter ‘blowdown’ (trees
which have fallen as the result of loading by wind or snow),
particularly in spring and early summer.
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Hiking
the Hills
If you’re after something a tad more challenging, there are many
trails which will take up to a full day to complete. Some of these
loop through the forests, such as the Blackwater, Stillwater and
Murtle River Trails, but most head into the high country. Popular
hikes wind up Raft Peak, the Trophy Range, Table Mountain, 52 Ridge
and Battle Mountain in the east, and onto Grizzly and Clearwater
Peaks in the west. Wilderness campsites allow these to be tackled as
overnight trips, and businesses also offer guided hikes. Several
great routes start from the shores of Murtle Lake: some find their
way to remote lakes, others head high into the hills, including the
Wavy Range and Central Mountain.
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The
Beginning of Beyond
Those seeking the solitude and adventure of a true wilderness
expedition are drawn further into the back country, and will
probably spend several nights on a trip. This might be in the
comfort of a guided hut-to- hut traverse of the Trophies and Fight
Lake area, or doing it the hard way with a big pack. One route
climbs steeply from the 4½ Mile camp-site on Azure Lake to Huntley
Col, and then to Garnet Peak (at 2,860m the highest in the Park) or
the Buchanan Ridge. Or there’s the stiff climb up through the bush
from Clearwater Lake to Zodiak, Azure and the Goat Peaks to the
east: if heavy-duty bushwhacking appeals, try the Kostal Route to
Murtle Lake. Please note that these are all extremely arduous, and
should not be attempted without suitable experience and planning.
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Wilderness Advisory
In much
of Wells Gray Country, the back-country starts right at the roadside
or parking-lot. The longer the trip you are planning, and the
further it is from human habitation, the greater the preparation
required to minimise risks.
Please only attempt routes which suit the levels of experience,
fitness and equipment of every member of your group, and to match
current and forecast weather and trail conditions.
You should be sure to carry sufficient clothing and food,
with some way of providing shelter and warmth, for
situations worse than any which you expect. On anything
other than a short walk along a marked trail, you should
take a good map and compass, and know how to use them. Note
that GPS will often work only intermittently in thick
forests.
Before starting on a longer trip, you should leave details of your
group and route, with instructions for for what to do if you do not
return by a certain time. Staff at the
Info-Centre are happy to help
with this. |
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