The park contains nationally significant cultural values which
include three shoreline pictograph sites and other evidence of
First Nations habitation. There are historic home sites, a semi-permanent
village, historic trails used by the First Nations, and a resource
utilization site where fish may have been caught, stored and processed.
The Dewdney Trail passed through the park as did an old section
of CPR which was important history related to Doukhobor ethnicity
and settlement. There is also a historic cabin on Benniger Creek
and an old gold mine.
The park contains the
elevational gradient from lakeshore to alpine, capturing a diversity
of habitats in the Selkirk Foothills ecosection which are captured
nowhere else. It also protects low-elevation dry interior cedar-hemlock
forest communities with some old growth, important winter ranges
for deer and elk, and high-value spawning areas for kokanee. With
the exception of the privately owned D.L. 1188, the park protects
the entire drainage of Sandner Creek which provides critical spawning
habitat for kokanee and rainbow trout. Seventy percent of the stream-spawning
kokanee from Christina Lake use Sandner Creek.
Trails
in the backcountry areas of the park are unmarked and unmaintained.
They may not meet BC Parks standards. Most are suitable for hiking
and horseback riding. All trails are closed to motor vehicles including
ATVs.
Deer
Point Trail to Troy Creek-11.3 km; easy with some steep sections.
The trail starts out steep to traverse semi-open forest high
above Christina Lake but levels off, rolling gently up and down
along
the shoreline to Deer Point. Huge cedar trees and a sandy beach
await at the north end of the lake. At 8 km, take the Troy Creek
Trail to get to the head of the lake or descent to Deer Point
camping area on the lake.
Xenia
Lake Trail- 4km; difficult (steep descent). The Forest Service
maintained a recreation site at the lake at one time
making this
a good weekend trip. The trail comes out at the north end of
Christina Lake and joins up with Troy Creek Trail for a longer
loop. A 4WD
vehicle is required to access Xenia Lake. From Xenia Lake,
the trail goes east and descends to Christina Lake.
Sandner Creek Trail-9 km. A historic trail extends along Sandner
Creek up past the Benninger property.
Mt.
Faith Trail - 18.4; difficult. This moderately steep, difficult
route extends from the Lynch Creek trailhead, up Morrell
Creek to Mt. Faith.
Mt.
Gladstone Trail - 6 km; difficult. This steep trail
ascends Mt. Gladstone from the abandoned CPR railway
north of Paulson.
Peter
Lake Trail - This trail is currently inaccessible.
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.
