Helmcken Falls, one of the country’s most magnificent waterfalls, is tucked away in BC’s Cariboo Mountains, Canada. Here is all you need to know about this stunning waterfall before visiting.
1. How long is Helmcken Falls?
Within Canada’s Wells Gray Provincial Park, on the Murtle River, stands the 141-meter (463-foot) Helmcken Falls.
2. How did the waterfalls create?
Over the Murtle Plateau’s volcanic terrain, Helmcken Falls plunge. Over 200,000 years ago, a massive lava deposit filled the broad Clearwater River valley. A plateau was eventually created by new lava layers.
Helmcken Canyon, meantime, was created by meltwater during the most recent ice age, about 10,000 years ago. The Murtle River is also home to seven waterfalls, including Helmcken Falls.
3. Where does the name “Helmcken” come from?
Robert Lee, a land surveyor for the Canadian government, made the discovery of Helmcken Falls in July 1913. He suggested Sir Richard McBride, the former premier of British Columbia, be honored by having the falls and river named after him.
Despite being flattered, McBride declined the distinction and proposed that it be given to Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, who played a key role in the early administration of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
4. What are things you can do at the waterfall?
The region around the waterfall offers a variety of activities year-round, including ice climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing in the winter and hiking, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding in the summer.
5. When is the best time to visit Helmcken Falls?
The ice cone at the waterfall develops to a height of 50 meters or more during the colder winters. Thus, a visit in the winter is also recommended. However, most people visit Helmcken Fall in the summer. Between late January and late February is when you may view the ice cone at its best.
Make sure you are aware of and follow the park’s safety regulations if you choose to visit during the winter. Use tire chains if there is a chance that there will be a lot of snow or ice on the roads.
6. How to get to Helmcken Falls
An easily accessible paved side road leads to the waterfall. It leads to a viewing area with the best vantage point for the falls and canyon.
A couple more hiking trails also lead to other viewpoints of the falls if you’re ready to exert a little more effort.
- Brink Trail: This 4-kilometer trail starts at Dawson Falls and travels along the Murtle River’s south bank until it reaches Helmcken Falls‘ brink. The views at the end of the route are well worth the little over an hour it takes to complete.
- Helmcken Canyon: From the main viewpoint, you can reach the rim of Helmcken Canyon by taking a 30-minute stroll to the west. The confluence of the Murtle and Clearwater rivers is seen from there, 250 meters (820 feet) below.
- Gattling Gorge trail: The Clearwater River’s narrowest section, the Gattling Gorge path, is roughly 20 meters (66 feet) wide. It is situated at the Helmcken Canyon’s apex. Since there aren’t many indications, it could be difficult to discern the gorge from the Helmcken Falls main viewpoint. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to climb one way.
7. Other waterfalls closeby
Within five kilometers of Helmcken Falls, there are several waterfalls:
- Cougar Falls
- The Mushbowl
- Dawson Falls
- Goodwin Falls
- Sylvia Falls
