Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park

The park is located in the Purcell Mountains which are over 1500 million years old. Much of the weak, overlying rock has been removed by the erosive forces of water and glacial ice to reveal the solid granite spires for which the park is known.

The area has been popular with mountaineers since the days of the Palliser Expedition of 1857 to 1860. The firm rock, significant altitude and fierce weather conditions make for world-class challenges for experienced climbers and mountaineers. The early routes of pitons and bolts have been replaced with less damaging aluminum chocks for protection. The Purcells were named for Goodwin Purcell, the expedition sponsor. Although road access is reasonably easy, the few trails within the park are dangerous and demanding. Inexperienced and/or ill-equipped visitors should make arrangements to visit a more suitable area.

LOCATION

The access road begins at Brisco (27 km north of Radium Hot Springs) on Highway 95. The park entrance is 45 km west of Brisco.

PARK FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES

Camping -There are tent pads available below the Canrad Kain Hut, an overnight accomadation available for up to 50 people. Propane stoves and sleeping pads are provided. The Malloy Igloo (hut) accomodates six persons; no facilities are available here.

Hiking & Trails - Extensive trails of varying length and difficulty provide access to the parks notable features. A comprehensive guide to the Bugaboos is "A Climbers Guide" by Randall Green and Joe Bensen and "A Climbers Guide to the Interior Ranges of British Columbia" by W.L. Putnam describes the routes of the Purcells.

COMMERCIAL FACILITIES

A nearby lodge provides accomadation, meals, heli-skiing and heli-hiking services.

When in the area, the following BC Adventure Network members invite you to Adventure with them:

Purcell Lodge - We are set in a high alpine meadow in the Rockies and offer isolated luxury. Our lodge has modern accommodations, facilities, excellent cuisine and more. Enjoy spectacular scenery while hiking, snowshoeing, X-Country skiing, telemark & powder skiing.

Merry Marmot Tours - Our eco-tourism business operates in wilderness and provincial park areas of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, as well as Northeastern BC. We offer all-inclusive guided half and full day hikes, overnight and multi-day backpacking trips, wildlife viewing, bird watching, nature photography, snowshoe walks and custom tours in a small-group setting.