Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

IUCN Category II - National Park

Upper Joffre Lake

The Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is located about 30 kilometers east of Pemberton in British Columbia, Canada. The park is located in the Coast Mountains and is accessible via Highway 99. The total area of the park is approximately 1487 hectares and is located in the Squamish - Lillooet Regional District.

In the park is a protected area category II (National Park).

The Lakes

The Joffre Lakes consist of the Lower Lake, Middle Lake and Upper Lake. The latter is situated at 1564 m altitude. A century ago the Upper Lake was completely covered by the ice of the Matier Glacier. Today you have a good view of the glacier from the Upper Lake from. The three lakes are connected by a 5.5 km long, uneven path that overcomes 370 meters. The striking thing about the Joffre Lakes is the particular color produced by silt from the Ice Age. The silt is also known as rock flour, or glacial flour. It is included in the water and reflects the sunlight, creating a greenish- blue color is produced.

History

The park was established on January 7, 1988. In 1997 its area was then expanded to 1,460 ha in 2004 and again to today's 1,487 ha. Also, it should change its legal form in the course of time, since it was set up originally as a recreation area ( Recreation Area ) before it was protected in 1997 as a Class A park.

As with almost all provincial parks in British Columbia also applies to this, he, hunting and fishing territory of different tribes of First Nations was long before the area populated by immigrants or she was part of a park.

Flora and Fauna

Within the ecosystem of British Columbia, the park area is allocated on the basis of its location different zones of the Interior Douglas - fir zone, the Englemann Spruce - Subalpine fir zone and the Alpine tundra zone.

In the park area grow mainly West American hemlock, Douglas fir, coastal pines, Nootka false cypress and Sitka spruce, but grows in the park and the Subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, and purple - fir.

The park and surrounding area are home to many small and large mammal species, such as mountain goats, mule deer, and Pikas. The park and its hinterland but also live black bears and grizzly bears.

Activities in the park

The Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is ideal for hiking, fishing and camping. Also, the glacier and the surrounding mountains are a destination for climbers.

In the park, in the Upper Lake, 24 so-called Walk-In/Wilderness camp sites with the simplest of sanitary facilities.

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