- Dunn Peak massif
-
Dunn Peak massif
Matterhorn Peak in the Dunn Peak massifElevation 2,636 m (8,648 ft) Prominence 1,531 m (5,023 ft) Parent peak Hallam Peak Location Coordinates 51°26′14″N 119°57′17″W / 51.43722°N 119.95472°WCoordinates: 51°26′14″N 119°57′17″W / 51.43722°N 119.95472°W[1] The Dunn Peak massif (sometimes known locally as the Dunn Peaks) is a group of peaks in the central Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its most prominent summit, Matterhorn Peak, rises to 2,636 metres (8,648 ft), making it the highest point in the Shuswap Highland.[2]
Contents
Geography
Though technically part of the Columbia Mountains to the north and east, the Dunn massif is isolated from other ranges by the Interior Plateau and the Shuwswap Highland.[3] The group is bounded by the North Thompson River to the west and north, Harper Creek to the east, and the Barriere River to the south. The nearest towns and cities are Barriere, Clearwater, and Kamloops. As there are no roads in the provincial park, access to the alpine area is by trail via the Harper Creek Forest Service road.
Matterhorn Peak is the 92nd most prominent peak in British Columbia.[4]
Ecology
The protected area surrounding the peaks contains old-growth forest, including stands of Engelmann spruce and interior Douglas fir. The park also contains significant wildlife populations, including wolf, cougar, marten, river otter, black bear, mule deer and mountain goat. Several protected avian species are present, such as the Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle.[5]
History
James Dunn was a gold prospector in the region who left for California in 1888 after falling sick. He had mined gold with a "rocker" near ChuChua, on the western slopes of Dunn Peak.[6] Nearby Baldy Mountain was the site of the Windpass gold mine from 1916 until 1939.[7] On April 30, 1996, the massif became the central point of the new 19,353-hectare (47,820-acre) Dunn Peak Provincial Park.[8]
References
- ^ "Origin Notes and History". BCGNIS. http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/bcgn-bin/bcg10?name=15629.
- ^ "Shuswap Highland". Peakbagger. http://www.peakbagger.com/range.aspx?rid=1311. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
- ^ "Dunn Peak, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=13362.
- ^ "Peaks In British Columbia". Bivouac.com. http://www.bivouac.com/PeaksInProvince.asp?rq=ShowPage&ProvxCode=BC&Order=Prominence&MinHeight=&MaxHeight=&MinProm=500&MaxProm=&Units=meters&Columns=Short&LatLong_Format=DMS&MaxPeaks=100&EditMode=Edit.
- ^ "Dunn Peak Protected Area". Ministry of the Environment, BC Parks. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/dunn_peak/. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
- ^ "Origin Notes and History". BCGNIS. http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/bcgn-bin/bcg10?name=15629.
- ^ "Dunn Peak Protected Area, Little Fort, Yellowhead Hwy 5 BC". BritishColumbia.com. http://www.britishcolumbia.com/parks/?id=226.
- ^ "Dunn Peak Protected Area". Ministry of the Environment, BC Parks. http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/dunn_peak/. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
External links
Columbia Mountains Cariboo Major ranges Mountains Monashee Major ranges Sub-ranges BeaverdellMountains Passes Purcell Sub-ranges Farnham Group · The BugaboosMountains Glaciers TobySelkirk Major ranges Battle · Big Bend · Bonnington · Clachnacudainn · Dawson · Duncan · Kokanee · Nelson · Valhalla · ValkyrSub-ranges Mountains Passes Categories:- Mountains of British Columbia
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.