• A forest fire that burned an extensive area in lower Hamill Creek during the summer of 2007 has damaged several structures on the Earl Grey trail and destroyed the first cable car.  For public safety reasons, the Earl Grey Trail and Hamill Creek Drainage of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy are closed until further notice. The Toby Creek access is only open from Toby Creek Trailhead to the Earl Grey Pass summit. 
• The bridge over Westley Creek has been washed out and is unusable. Those wishing to venture to Dewar hot springs will have to ford Westley Creek and do so at their own risk. Travel to Dewar hot springs is not recommended at this time.

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

• Approved Master Plan
• Approved Management Direction Statement - East Addition
• Approved Management Direction Statement - West Addition
• Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan for Corridor

• Location Map

Access to the east side of the Park is by gravel roads leading west from Highway 93/95 along Toby Creek, Findlay Creek, Skookumchuck Creek, St. Mary’s River and Dewar Creek. These roads are frequently used by industrial logging traffic - caution is advised. Distances vary from 35 to 75 km to the trailheads. West side trailheads at Hamill Creek and Fry Creek are accessed from Highway 31 by turning west at Meadow Creek and proceeding south along the east side of Kootenay Lake to Argenta or Johnson’s Landing. The Kootenay-Joe Road leads from near Johnson’s Landing to the height of land between the front range and the Conservancy. The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park is a non-mechanized area, access by vehicles of any kind is prohibited and enforced.

Acquiring a backroad mapbook for the area is recommended.

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Park Map (625 KB PDF)
• Earl Grey East Trail Map (4 MB PDF)
• Earl Grey West Trail Map (5MB PDF)
• Earl Grey Trail Brochure (118 KB PDF)
• Fry Creek Trail Brochure (126 KB PDF)
• Location Map

• Persons visiting the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park, are reminded that the park is a wilderness area, without supplies, public shelters, improved trails, bridges or equipment of any kind. All arrangements for supplies, rescue and transportation must be made beforehand.
• All park visitors should wear strong waterproofed, lug-soled boots and carry a daypack with raingear, extra warm clothing and food. Weather conditions can change suddenly in this area and lightning storms with hail and snow are common in summer. For overnight trips a sleeping bag, groundpad, waterproof tent or bivouac bag and lightweight stove are essential. Only experienced climbers practised in crevasse rescue and properly roped, should venture onto snowfields and glaciers.
• Loaded logging trucks and other industrial traffic may be encountered while accessing this park. Drive with extreme caution and for your safety, always yield to industrial traffic.
• Public communications are not available at this park.
• The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy is home to a healthy resident grizzly bear population and visitors should be prepared for sightings. Recognizing recent signs, maintaining clean camps and remaining alert while travelling, are import for the visitor and bear safety.
• The major drainages may be in flood until the end of July and are at times not negotiable either on horse or foot.
• For hikers in the Park, five river crossings use cable cars. Note that you will require gloves for pulling cable at these crossings on the lower Hamill Creek. (West side of Earl Grey trail.)
• Historical structures exist: use caution.
• Giardiasis, commonly known as ‘Beaver Fever’ exists throughout the backcountry of British Columbia. Water should be boiled or filtered before drinking. Please read the Visitor Safety Information below for more details.
• Enjoy your visit to the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy and the Earl Grey Trail, but please leave it as you have found it so that future visitors may enjoy it as you have. Please practice no trace camping.
• Please be extremely careful with fire. Primus-type stoves should be utilized for all cooking.
• You will need a British Columbia angling licence if you plan to fish.
• Firearms are prohibited except during a valid hunting season. Please consult British Columbia Hunting Regulations for dates.

Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

	No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed year round when accessible but no facilities are provided. Travellers will come upon traditional campsites where impacts have occurred; campers are encouraged to use these locations. When toilets are not available, bury human waste at least six inches in soil and 30 metres from water. To ensure drinking water is safe it must be boiled for at least 5 minutes. Register a trip itinerary with friends, check in and check out. When practical, use impacted campsites; otherwise practice “NO TRACE” camping ethics. If you have a fire, build it on rocks, or remove sod, have fire, then replace sod. The Conservancy is a non-mechanized area.
	There are no group campsites.
	There are no day-use or picnic facilities in the park.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Be sure water is potable; boil all drinking water for 5 minutes or filter water.
	Toilets are not available; bury human waste at least six inches in soil and 30 metres from water.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Fires are allowed, however visitors should check with the Forest Service or at the park trailheads, to see if fires bans are in effect. For this backcountry area, use dead trees on the ground as wood supply for fires. At traditional campsites, use established fire-rings. In pristine areas, build fires on rocks or dig a hole, scatter the fire remnants and replace the sod ring when you move on. Please Practice No Trace camping.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	There are unimproved horse trails in each main valley and routes into many of the side valleys and over passes. Rivers may be impassable during flood season, usually until the end of July. There are no bridges on the east side of the Park; hikers will have to ford creeks. Visitors should be able to read maps and be capable of route finding. Because this is a wilderness conservancy, the park has no facilities or marked trails and is not regularly serviced. Visitors should be self-sufficient and proficient in backcountry travel practices. For more information please see the Trails Page.
	This park does not have a playground.
	There are refreshing swimming opportunities at this park in alpine lakes and streams. There are NO LIFEGUARDS on duty at provincial parks.
	There are canoeing opportunities in this park.
	This park does not have a boat launch.
	Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
	Cycling is not permitted. The Purcell’s Wilderness Conservancy Park is a non-mechanized area.
	Horseback riding and multi-day pack trips are permitted on the east side as defined by the height of land along the Purcell Mountains. Trails are unimproved, uncut and historical structures such as old bog bridges exist. Use extreme caution while crossing these structures and be prepared to cut out the trail. There are traditional horse camps along most trails. Please use established sites or practice no impact horse camping
	Dogs in backcountry parks, must be under control at all times. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
	There are abundant populations of birds and animals with elk, deer, goats, black and grizzly bears, wolverines, martin, beaver, coyotes, wolves, even the occasional caribou seen, and at least 90 species of birds. There are many wildlife viewing opportunities however, be aware that during the summer many animals take refuge at higher elevations.
	There are winter recreation opportunities for extended backcountry ski touring. Snow machines and aircraft are not allowed as the Conservancy is a non-mechanized area.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	Hunting is permitted in the park during open hunting seasons. Firearms may be carried by persons with a BC hunting license during an open hunting season. Horse assisted hunting trips are allowed on the east side of the Conservancy during open seasons.
	Although most alpine opportunities are remote the rugged back bone of the Purcell’s offers many climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges are for public use. Travellers may encounter outfitter cabins but these are privately owned and usually locked.