St. Mary's Alpine Provincial Park
About This Park
St. Mary’s Alpine Park is a wilderness paradise for the experienced backcountry traveller. Numerous lakes and tarns are tucked against rugged granite cliffs and surrounded by tundra and lingering snowfields. Seven creeks drain the lakes, resulting in numerous waterfalls and cataracts, some as much as 150 metres in height. Experienced hikers, willing to expend considerable effort in bushwhacking and route finding should visit this protected area where few if any people will be encountered.
Park Size: 9146 hectares
Stay Safe:
- Persons visiting St. Mary’s Alpine Provincial Park are reminded that the park is a wilderness area, without supplies or equipment of any kind. All arrangements for supplies and transportation must be made beforehand.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
- Bring a portable stove for cooking. Fires are not allowed except in emergency situations.
- 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 practiced 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.
Location and Maps
Between Kimberley and the town of Marysville, take the St. Mary's Lake Road and follow it west and north to the junction of the Dewar Creek Road and the St. Mary’s West Fork Road. The Manson Col trailhead is accessed by an old mining road between the 7 and 8 km off the Dewar Creek Road ( 4x4 high clearance vehicles only). The Motar and Pestle trailhead is accessed by a logging road leading east at the 16 km on the Dewar Creek Road.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
- Park Map (pdf)
Management Planning
Management Planning Information
- The Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan for this park is now available online.
Activities Available at this Park
Climbing
Climbing in the park is remote and offers many opportunities for well equipped and experienced parties.
Cycling
Fishing
Fishing opportunities exist in Spade Lake and the lower reaches of White Creek, accessed via the White Creek FSR, motorized use is not allowed in the park. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
Hunting
Pets on Leash
Winter Recreation
There are winter recreation opportunities for extended backcountry ski touring. Snow machines and aircraft are not allowed in St. Mary’s Alpine Provincial Park.
Facilities Available at this Park
Campfires
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 “Leave No Trace” camping.
