|
Marble
Canyon
Marble Canyon Provincial Park is located 40 km (25 miles) north-west
of Cache
Creek and 50 km (31 miles) north-east of Lillooet
on Hwy 99.
Travelling
Here
To get here from the Lower Mainland or Whistler,
you have to travel on Hwy 99 via Duffy Lake to Lillooet, then cross
the Fraser River and continue on Hwy 99 to the park. If you are
coming from northern BC or the Okanagan, travel on Hwy 97 towards
Cache Creek and take the exit for Hwy 99 which is located 11 km
(7 miles) north of the community on Hwy 97.
Park
Highlights
Two main features stand out at Marble Canyon Provincial Park; one
being the limestone rock formations carved out of the Pavilion Mountain
Range; the other is the intense colours of Turquoise and Crown Lakes
which are on either side of the campground and the larger Pavilion
Lake located towards the West.
Campground
The campground at Marble Canyon Provincial Park is comprised of
30, not very private high-density vehicle-accessible campsites,
available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unfortunately, reservations
are not accepted at Marble Canyon Provincial Park so if you want
to stay here, try and arrive early for the best choice of campsite.
Park
Facilities
The facilities found at Marble Canyon Provincial Park campground
are quite limited with only one hand pump available for water and
pit toilets. Some of these sites are set up more for tenting and
are a short distance from the parking area. There is a small sandy
beach situated on Crown Lake but the water is usually quite cold
and not the best for swimming. The picnic area is on the edge of
the campground and is quite sparse.
Rainbow
Trout Fishing
The three lakes - Pavilion, Turquoise and Crown - have Rainbow trout
fishing available. Please obtain the proper licence for this jurisdiciton.
Lots of people in the area are known to ice fish in the winter.
Rock
Climbing
Marble Canyon, because of uniqueness of the limestone formations,
is also a destination point for rock climbers in British Columbia.
Several spots are very popular for climbing, including an icefall
and can be accessed from the park. For more information on the routes
and access points to areas with names such as the Great Gully, Chimney
Rock (known locally by the Fountain Band First Nations as Coyote
Rock) and Headwall, obtain the book by Lyle Knight called, "Central
B.C. Rock."
Pavilion
Lake
Pavilion Lake, which is conveniently located only a few km (miles)
towards Lillooet, is much larger than Turquoise and Crown, offering
more recreational activities including scuba diving, canoeing and
kayaking. Pavilion Lake is groundwater spring-fed and slightly alkaline,
producing a crystal-clear turquoise hue to the water colour and
creating a unique phenomenon with the growth of Stromatolites in
the water.
Stromatolites
Only present in a very few places in the world is the growth of
Stromatolites - a prehistoric life organism that is found in the
three lakes of Marble Canyon Provincial Park, especially in the
larger Pavilion Lake.
Ts'kw'aylaxw
First Nations
Similar
to a type of coral found in tropical waters, the Stromatolites have
now been protected by the creation of a park zone covering the lake
bottom and, by the Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nations, the local stewards
and traditional people of the Marble Canyon.
Turquoise
Lake Waterfall
For more exploring around Marble Canyon Provincial Park, try visiting
the waterfall situated at the far side of Turquoise Lake. The waterfall,
which has taken its turn at eroding the limestone walls is very
interesting, and well worth the visit to view the power of water
pressure.
Bear
and Wildlife Safety
If you are walking or hiking in the area, just remember that black
bears and cougars are often seen in the immediate area. Please practise
proper wildlife and bear-safety procedures.
Sky
Blue Water Resort
The only commercial business on Pavilion Lake is at Sky Blue Water
Resort owned and operated by the Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation. Cabins,
RV and tent sites are all available. If you would like to explore
the lake canoes, motor and paddle boats can also be rented.
Graymont
Pavilion Plant
The Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation also lease lands to the Graymont Pavilion
Plant, a limestone mining operation on the edge of Marble Canyon
for the creation of lime for pulp mills.
BC
Parks
Information
on Marble Mountain Range
|
