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Close To The Edge Provincial Park and Protected Area

 
Activities Availabe At This Park Facilities Available At This Park
Activities Availabe At This Park

Park Info

Close to the Edge Provincial Park

This 702 hectare park and protected area is located approximately 160 km northeast of Prince George. There is logging road access within 5 km of the park/protected area.

The park/protected area is situated in the Dezaiko Range of the Rocky Mountains. This park protects the internationally significant Close-To-The-Edge cave, which has the deepest shaft and is the second deepest overall cave (440) in Canada/USA, and is among the 50 deepest caves in the world. The cave was discovered in 1983, but the bottom of the cave was not reached until 1986. The primary shaft drops 253 m straight down, and is about 23 m in diameter. There are also additional, smaller caves in the park.

Park Size: 702 hectares

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General Visitor Information

Close-To-The-Edge cave is particularly dangerous because of its depth and vertical shaft. It is suitable only for very experienced cavers. Access requires crossing Hedrick Creek via a hand-operated cable car.

Please bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available in the park. Drinking out of any streams or lakes is not recommended, unless the water has been filtered or treated.  There are limited water resources in the eastern half of the park near the cavel.

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Location

This park/protected area is located approximately 160 km northeast of Prince George, and is accessible via the Pass Lake forest service road to Gleason creek. The closest community, town or city is Prince George.

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Nature & Culture

  • History - The cave was discovered in 1983, but the bottom was not reached until 1986.
  • Conservation - Important habitat for caribou, moose, black and grizzly bears. Internationally significant cave features: the deepest shaft and the second deepest cave (440 m) overall in Canada/U.S.A.; cave has 5 pitches in total.
  • General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
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Activities Available At This Park

Caving

Caving

There are spelunking opportunities in the various caves in the park. Only experienced spelunkers should attempt these caves.
Hiking

Hiking

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. There is a very rough trail following Hedrick Creek and then a route to Close-To-The-Edge cave location. Hedrick Creek must be crossed via a hand operated cable car.
Hunting

Hunting

This Park is open to hunting. Please consult the Hunting and Trapping regulations for more information.
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