10. June 2022
Day 7: Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Today was our first of two full days at the Wells Gray Provincial Park. As the weather was good in the morning, our host recommended that we start with the green mountain viewing tower, as you get a nice overview of the park from there.
A nice Surprise
Shortly after we left the Blue Grouse Country Inn property, we spotted a bear on a nearby meadow directly from the road. He was just chilling there and eating grass?!
![Bear on the Meadow](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_DSC00097.webp)
Bear on the Meadow
Green Mountain Viewing Tower
To access the tower you have to leave the main road and drive on a gravel road for around 4 km. This was the first time we were thankful for our SUV with a bit higher clearance and all wheel drive.
From the top you get some nice views into all directions, which consists of mostly forests and some alpine peaks.
![View from the Green Mountain Viewing Tower](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2877.webp)
View from the Green Mountain Viewing Tower
There was also a short hike to the Foot Lake which we did.
![Foot Lake](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2880.webp)
Foot Lake
Clearwater Lake
After the Viewing Tower, we decided to first drive all the way north to the Clearwater Lake and then “work” backwards and checkout the different stops & hikes.
3km before the end of the road is a stop where there is a campground and coffee. We did a break there and had Tea and Cake. Filled with new powers we started the hike to the end of the road and then back to the campground.
The trail was mostly flat and following the Clearwater River, for the way back we just took the gravel road.
![Clearwater River Hike](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2886.webp)
Clearwater River Hike
Bailey’s Chute
Next stop was Bailey’s Chute, a place where the power of the Clearwater river was impressively shown. During fall this is also a spot where you can see the Salmon that try to get up the river.
![Bailey’s Chute](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2895.webp)
Bailey’s Chute
The Trail led into a loop hike around West Lake, which we also did.
![Hike around West Lake](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2903.webp)
Hike around West Lake
Helmcken Falls
This is one of the most famous Waterfalls at the Park, you realize that as soon as you enter the parking lot which has a dedicated section for Buses…
![Helmcken Falls](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2906.webp)
Helmcken Falls
The Fall itself is impressive and there is a Rim Trail which leads pretty close to the top of it. We plan to do it tomorrow, as there is not enough time left today.
Dinner
Our host recommend us the Wells Gray Guest Ranch for dinner, is only 2 km from our place. This sounded nice compared to the ~24km drive to Clearwater. Funnily enough, the ranch is run by two Swiss people, which got it around 5 years ago. They served some really good burgers and we could even sit outside in the sun.
![Burger at Wells Gray Guest Ranch](https://cdn.richardstrnad.ch/travel/min_IMG_2911.webp)
Burger at Wells Gray Guest Ranch
Pictures
Another picture of the Bear
Squirrel
Helmcken Falls
Gravel road in the park
View of the Valley behind Helmcken Falls
Activities
Hike: Clearwater Lake Loop Hike: Bailey’s Chute & West Lake Loop Hike: Foot Lake Run: Around Blue Grouse Country Inn