Caroline Peterson 11/15/24 Caroline Peterson 11/15/24

Guide to Exploring Mount Robson in the Fall and Winter Months

Mount Robson, stands as the tallest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountain range, in the Thompson Okanagan region's northernmost part. The Mount Robson Park area is unique and a true representation of the British Columbia wilderness. This guide is created to explain best how to navigate and enjoy the new trails and open sections of the park in fall and winter!

Mount Robson, stands as the tallest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountain range, in the Thompson Okanagan region's northernmost part. The Mount Robson Park area is unique and a true representation of the British Columbia wilderness. This second oldest provincial park in British Columbia, is free to enter and waiting for you to explore!

In recent years, some areas and trails within the park have experienced flooding, which has led to modifications in trail access and routes. Therefore, this guide is created to explain how best to navigate and enjoy the new trails and open sections of the park. Mount Robson Park is a large area, so sticking to these tips and tricks will ensure you experience the best parts of the park safely.

Being Prepared:

Many trails in and around Mount Robson Park are backcountry hiking routes and campsites that require some preparation before ascending upon. Here are a few recommendations to ensure a safe and memorable adventure:

Know Before You Go: Check out the Thompson Okanagan Know Before You Go, or BC Parks websites for updates and current advisories on weather and closures.

Drive BC: In the winter months be sure to have snow tires and take the proper precautions to ensure safe winter driving. To check road conditions in advance throughout the year, visit DriveBC.ca.

Carry a First-Aid Kit: Alongside water and snacks, as fresh water sources are limited in the park.

Dress for Changing Weather: In the Canadian Rockies, weather can shift rapidly. Pack layers—think rain jackets, hiking shoes, and warm coats.

Plan for Navigation: Cellphone service is unavailable in much of Mount Robson Park. Be sure to pre-download maps, bring printed versions, or use a GPS device.

Getting There:

Mount Robson Provincial Park is nestled in East-Central British Columbia within the North Thompson Valley. Access the park by following these routes:

565 km (351 mi) 5.5 hours from Kelowna on Highway 97, then Highway 5

357 km (221 mi) 4 hours from Kamloops on Highway 5

288 km (178 mi) 3 hours from Prince George on Highway 16

453 km (281 mi) 5 hours from Edmonton on Highway 16

912 km (567 mi)7 hours from Washington, USA

Travelling along the Yellowhead Highway, HWY 16 will bring you to the Mount Robson Visitor Centre, the entrance to the park. Open until the end of October, the visitor centre offers maps, information, camping reservations, and a restful stop before venturing further into the park. For those seeking a quick view and photo opportunity, a short 1 km interpretive trail loop behind the centre provides stunning, unobstructed views of Mount Robson—a perfect introduction to the area.

Exploring the Area:

Mount Robson Provincial Park is alive with wildlife, from deer, moose, and elk to black bears, grizzlies, caribou, mountain goats, and dozens of bird species. Depending on the month you visit, you are able to experience alpine flower meadows, frozen glacier fed lakes, and incredible waterfalls. Best of all, you are in the vast, biodiverse, and unique, Canadian Rockies.

Backcountry exploration is one of the main ways to explore the park. The main hiking trails are Berg Lake Trail connecting with Kinney Lake, Mount Robson Summit, and Mount Robson Corridor. These trails lead in and out of campsites, up and around lakes and rivers, and are best as multi-day hiking adventures.

Frontcountry camping is a great option for those who want to see and experience Mount Robson Provincial Park with comfort and convenience. Frontcountry is vehicle-accessible campsites that have fresh water, RV hook up, cellphone service, playgrounds, and washroom facilities. These BC Park campgrounds included Robson Meadows, Robson River, and Lucerne campgrounds. All these sites can be reserved ahead of time. Frontcountry camping provides a leisurely way to enjoy the Park’s beauty with amenities. Experience "The Crown Jewel of the Canadian Rocky Mountains" and the surrounding North Thompson Valley!

Tourism Valemount-Mount Robson-Mary Putnam-7265 (2).jpg

Credit: Tourism Valemount, Mary Putnam & Destination BC/Robert Downie

Written by Caroline Peterson

A local who went from the lower mainland to the Okanagan. As a student with a passion for tourism, she aims to highlight the Thompson Okanagan experience with a fresh, adventurous perspective.

Thompson Okanagan 10/31/19 Thompson Okanagan 10/31/19

The Science Behind the Scenery

Why is the Thompson Okanagan so beautiful in fall? Like the other three seasons, the region has a swath of lakes, mountains and vistas that are breathtaking, but in autumn the foliage really stands out. We wanted to know why, so we went to an expert.

*Professor Lyn Baldwin creates as a visual representation of the natural world.*

Lyn Baldwin is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. But she is more than a botanist; she is an award-winning teacher who focuses her scholarly work on reframing the natural environment in a way that inspires her students to have a deeper understanding of the natural world, often through drawing. In fact, she has been known to present at Tourism conferences and offers a niche workshop on creating journal entries that provide a visual memory of a trip or experience.

She is also an accomplished non-fiction essayist and artist. (Her blog can be found here.) So when I wanted to know more about why the leaves in the Okanagan create such a breathtaking autumn landscape, I went to the expert.

The three Cs of leaf function

Lyn explained that leaves are green because of chlorophyll, which gives plants their green colour and absorbs light energy. The chloroplast work to convert the light energy into sugars that can be used by cells - chlorophyll and the chloroplast function together to allow for photosynthesis to occur and absorbs sunlight. The carotenoids are responsible for the yellow and orange pigments in the plant, which become apparent when the leaves change colour.

As temperatures change and decline, the leaves of deciduous plants begin to die. These leaves have huge amounts of nutrients, so there is an exchange occurring where the nutrients from the leaves are being sucked back into the tree. As these nutrients are being returned to the tree, its unmasking the carotenoids, showing off the colours.

Colour across the spectrum

While carotenoids also help show the red pigments in trees, specific types of tree leaves will turn red, but not all. Sugar maples are common in the Thompson Okanagan and turn red, and that’s because they have anthocyanins, which are the blue, red and purple pigment found in 70 per cent of plants. There are two popular hypotheses about why leaves turn red: Red as an umbrella, and red as an alarm.

The theory that leaves turn red as an umbrella says that as the nutrients are being reabsorbed from the leaves into the tree, chlorophyll is being dismantled, and the red pigment creates a more efficient reabsorption. The theory that leaves turn red as an alarm is because in the fall many trees are attacked by insects laying their eggs; therefore, the red pigment of the leaves warns the insect that this tree is well protected and that it shouldn’t bother laying its eggs. It’s the ecological equivalent of a skull and crossbones. You can read the scientific literature here.

Pretty as a picture

One of the most beautiful parts of autumn is seeing the leaves change colour. There are specific areas in the world that are well-known for fall foliage, including the eastern United States and Canada. But the Thompson Okanagan is made up mostly coniferous trees, like pine, spruce, fir and cedar. Most coniferous plants don’t change colour during the fall. (you can tell the difference between coniferous and deciduous--trees that lose their leaves after they change colour--because they have needles instead of leaves and use cones instead of flowers to spread their seeds) And yet, some of the most spectacular fall scenery can be seen in the Okanagan. We have maples that change from green to yellow to orange, and we have Golden larches, which are deciduous conifers--a very special type of tree.

So now you know why a tree changes colour in the fall - it is preparing itself for winter, where it lies dormant and waits for spring! And, you’ll be pleased to know that the Nature Conservancy of Canada now says to leave the leaves on the ground!