| Oliver
Lake Park and Trail , Prince
Rupert, BC, Canada: A peaceful, serene environment, naturally
left on its own, south of the community of Prince Rupert, BC.
The park was named after John Oliver, who served as Premier of
BC from 1918-1927.
Oliver Lake is home to the exotic
Bonsai Tree reported to be over 125 years old. These are trees
stunted by climate... bent and twisted by the seasons and poor
soil. From the parking lot a gravel trail leads to the picnic
tables, the lakefront and to the trailhead of the Oliver
Lake Dwarf Forest Trail.
The trail system is a mix-match of gravel trails,
boardwalk and unimproved trails (little maintenance). The loop
trail system follows the lake shoreline leading into forests filled
with Shore Pine, Red & Yellow Cedar, Spruce, Juniper and Hemlock
trees plus... sphagnum moss, salal and bog blueberry and cranberry
bushes.
The area is a popular destination for hikers, but
also for wildlife. Visiting Oliver Lake and hiking
the Dwarf Forest Trail provides a good opportunity
to view Bald Eagles and Ravens. Also living in the area but are
harder to catch a glimpse of are Black Bears, Wolves, Porcupines
and Beavers.
A muskeg eco-system surrounds the Oliver
Lake trail system. Muskeg is a Canadian First Nation
word referring to bogs, streams and exposed rock and shrub forests.
Muskeg regions are high in acidic soil and black nutrients therefore
stunting the growth of the areas vegetation, hence Bonsai Trees.
The trail interpretive sign in the parking lot
highlights the historical importance of the land to the First
Nation People. Much of the land, at one time, was used for medicinal
purposes such as cultivating plants like Labrador Tea, Sphagnum
Moss and Sundew.
Contact information for
the local Prince Rupert, BC accommodations, tours, guides,
golf courses, attractions, eco activities, artists, transportation
companies, realtors, etc. are posted under the links listed
to your right. |
How to
Get to Oliver
Lake Park and Trail :
Travel towards Prince Rupert, B.C. on Highway 16 (Yellowhead
Hwy). Before reaching Prince Rupert, you will see a road veering
off to the left pointing to Port
Edwards. Do not take it, stay on course to Prince
Rupert, over the bridge driving past Ridley Island Rd. The Oliver
Lake parking Lot is seen from Hwy 16 on your left in-between Port
Edward turn-off and Prince Rupert, BC, Canada.
|
Oliver Lake
Prince Rupert