Cape Scott Provincial Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Cape Scott Provincial Park
iucn_category =

---

caption = Location of "Cape Scott Provincial Park" in British Columbia
locator_x = 93
locator_y = 204
location = British Columbia, Canada
nearest_city = Holberg
lat_degrees = 50
lat_minutes = 46
lat_seconds = 57
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 128
long_minutes = 25
long_seconds = 33
long_direction = W
area = 222.94 km²
established = 1973
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = BC Parks

Cape Scott Provincial Park is a provincial park located at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Geography

The park is known for its old growth forest and sandy beaches. The terrain is rugged and the area is known for its heavy rain and violent storms.

The park's highest point is Mt. St. Patrick, 422 meters above sea level. The park's largest lake is Eric Lake, at 44 hectares.

History

From 1897 until 1910, Danish settlers tried to establish a fishing community near San Josef Bay. Due to the harsh climate and lack of governmental support, the community failed and most settlers left the area. Following that, another attempt was made at Hansen Lagoon, similarly failing by 1917. Alfred Spencer, the last resident, left in 1956.

Some artifacts can still be seen in the park, including a three-metre-tall granite tombstone, several corduroy roads, many ruins (that look like anonymous mossy mounds), and rusty farming implements.

A lighthouse was built on the cape in 1960 and is still in operation. Despite its remote location, it is still manned by a lighthouse keeper [http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/cape.html Ministry of Environment - Cape Scott Marine Provincial Park ] ] , and is one of the few lighthouses that has not been automated. The light-house is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard and is technically outside of the park boundary.

Recreation

The park is a popular destination for backpackers during the less rainy summer season. Though there is a road to the southern end of the park, most of the area is accessible only by foot. There are designated campsites at Eric Lake, Fisherman's River, and Nels Bight with pit toilets, food caches, and wooden tent platforms. The trip out to Nels Bight, the beautiful beach at the end of the Cape Scott trail, usually takes relaxed hikers about three days to complete, round trip. For those hikers looking for a shorter trail, there is a path out to San Josef Bay, which makes a nice hike for a day trip and lunch on beautiful beach.

ee also

*List of British Columbia Provincial Parks
*List of Canadian provincial parks

References

External links

* [http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/cape.html Cape Scott Provincial Park at BC Parks]
* [http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/cape_sct/capescott_brochuremap.pdf Official park map] (PDF)http://www.portalice.ca/capescott.htm