| Birkenhead
Lake - A remote adventure destination
suited for all. The old growth and Lodgepole Pine forest, the turquoise
lake, the rivers, the snow capped mountains all compliment the valley
where Birkenhead Lake rests. The lake is over 6 Km long. The Birkenhead
Lake Provincial Park is 9,755 hectares in size. The Birkenhead Provincial
Park and lake combine to create a playground for mountain bikers,
hikers, campers, RVs and boating enthusiasts.
The mountain biking and hiking trails accessible from Birkenhead
Lake are varied- some short while others are long haul. There are
two easy grade trails on the west side of the lake that lead to
wilderness campgrounds and some unofficial picnic sites. The Lakeshore
Trail is 1.5 Km to the wilderness campsites and the Sockeye Creek
Trail is 2 Km.
Another short trail with lake views is the Goat Trail. It is a
steep but short 1 Km trail on the south end of the campground that
offers views over looking the lake and park. The trail is ideal
for wildlife viewing in the spring or fall seasons as it is a gathering
place for mountain goats exploring, feeding on the surrounding hills.
The Lake Shore Trail extends past the recreation wilderness campsites
and continues to follow the entire west side of the lake for 8 Km.
While the Bear Trail travels the east side of the lake but parts
are unserviceable. The long haul Lake Shore Trail is part of the
Birkenhead Loop Mountain Biking Trail which is part of the larger
Sea to Sky Trail.
The main parking lot fronts the shores of the
lake and looks straight into the eyes of the mountain range. An
ideal setting for a day on the beach and for swimming in the turquoise
lake. The roped off swimming area is separated from the boat launch
and a wooden pier ideal for canoes and small craft boats.
Fishing is said to be good in the early summer
and fall. Trolling is the trick on this lake so to get a hook into
some of the local fish like a rainbow, dolly varden or kokanee.
Some say the fishing is good near the mouth of the Sockeye and Phelix
Creek.
The park is a protected area established in 1963 to ensure the
habitat and the local wildlife stay protected. It is possible to
view spotted owls, moose, black bears, grizzlies, bobcat, deer and
river otter. Just prior to entering
the provincial park is another smaller lake worth a visit named
Blackwater Lake.
The drive in main camping area services RVs and tenters without
a hike. There are picnic tables, fire pits, outhouses and fresh
water in main camping area.
Park & Lake Access - Travel east of Pemberton,
BC, Canada on Hwy 99 (Sea to Sky Highway) towards Mt. Currie. Look
for the directional signs near Mt. Currie pointing to the community
of D'Arcy and the Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park. Continue towards
D'Arcy until you reach Blackwater Lake Rd. Turn west following the
17 Km gravel road until you reach the park and lake. The entire
trip from Pemberton is 55 Km and from Whistler it is 147 Km.
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