A Grizzly Paradise
The Central Coast of British Columbia is a grizzly paradise. The winds of the Pacific Ocean bring moisture laden air across a number of islands, and up through a maze of channels and inlets.
One of these, Burke Channel, cuts into the Coastal Mountains, dividing into North and South Bentinck Arms. At the head of North Bentinck Arm, approximately 140 kilometres from the open waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, is the lush green estuary at the mouth of the Bella Coola River.
Ancient glacial carving and thousands of years of river flow have cut a deep U-shaped trough into the Interior Plateau. The Valley bottom is approximately 65 kilometres long and no more than 5 kilometres at its widest point.
The Atnarko River drains the Fraser Plateau via Charlotte Lake, and then into Lonesome Lake. Young Creek and the Hotnarko River add to the Atnarko as it flows to its confluence with the glacial fed Talchako River. It is here, where these two rivers meet, that the mighty Bella Coola River is formed.
“It’s just like a mother to the people, that river. She feeds us, she gives us everything.”
~ Nuxalkmc elder Herb Edgar Sr
Historical Timeline
1793
Alexander Mackenzie
Scottish explorer Alexander Mackenzie becomes the first European to journey overland to the Pacific Ocean, guided by Nuxalk and Ulkatcho First Nations along the ancient ‘grease trail’. He preceded Lewis & Clark by twelve years.
Featured Books
River of the Angry Moon
written by Mark Hume
with Harvey Thommasen
One River Two Cultures
A History of the Bella Coola Valley
written by Paula Wild
Bella Coola Country
written by Leslie Kopas
The Great Bear Rainforest Today
Today conservation/preservation initiatives are attempting to protect what remains of temperate Coastal ecosystems, First Nations traditional ways, wild Pacific salmon, Spirit (Kermode) bears & grizzly bear populations. This is the Great Bear Rainforest.
The Bella Coola Valley is the gateway to a ‘new’ eco-tourism economy beginning to thrive in British Columbia. At the Great Bear Chalet, we know that to be truly economically responsible, the health of the ecology is essential.
It is time for a paradigm shift – take care of the asset (natural systems) & life, along with man-made economies, will flourish.
Related Topic: Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
Experience Living History
If you seek an authentic wilderness experience, then come be at home in this grizzly kingdom.
At the Great Bear Chalet, we forge extraordinary memories to empower your story.
Questions? Email us & ask
greatbearchalet@xplornet.com