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History
The small town of Iskut, situated in Northern British
Columbia, has historically been populated by the Tahltan
First Nations People. The Tahltan People have lived on
the banks of the Stikine River for centuries, surviving
from their hunting and trapping skills. In 1958, when a
lighting fire struck Iskut causing great devastation, many
locals appropriately nicknamed the town ‘Barrage
Burn’. Today Iskut residents claim the huckleberry
bushes which cover the burn constitute the largest patch
in the province. These days Iskut is known for its superb
outdoor recreation opportunities and its breathtaking location,
situated between Mount Edizza Park and Spatsizi Plateau
Park.
Location
Iskut is located on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway 37 in
Northern British Columbia, 65km (40 mi) south of Dease
Lake.
Places to See
- Spatsizi Plateau Provincial Park
This nearby vast park is the second largest in the province
and is extremely popular amongst hikers, paddlers and wilderness
campers. To access the park, turn east off Highway 37 onto
the Ealue Lake Road at Tatogga Lake, follow the road for
22 km, crossing over the Klappan River. Continue down the
gravel road for 112km, the road is rough but accessible
for most vehicles. From here the only way to continue into
the park is on foot, horseback or canoe. While walk-in
camping is permitted the park provides limited facilities
so visitors must come prepared. At Cold Fish Lake, in the
park, there are 6 cabins for use, which are on a first
come basis. Spatsizi Plateau Provincial Park has over 160
km (99 mi) of trails for hikers to explore and boasts a
wide variety of wildlife including moose, grizzly and black
bears, beavers and more than 140 species of birds.
- Mount Edizia Provincial Park
Mount Edizia Provincial Park is incredibly remote and
inaccessible. This magnificent park has vast volcanic landscapes
and an elevation of over 2,790 meters. The scenery is stunning
and awe inspiring for those who make the adventurous journey
into the park. The park has no vehicle access and is typically
accessed by horseback, floatplane or helicopter. Anyone
wishing to enter the park by these means must obtain a
letter of authority from the district office in Smithers.
There are overland hikes into the park, however unless
you are an experienced backcountry hiker, most people will
go accompanied with an experienced guide. Wilderness camping
is allowed although no facilities are provided, those who
camp must be prepared to be self sufficient.
- Stikine River Provincial Park
The Stikine River has historically provided the Tahltan
First Nations People with their livelihood, centred on
the rich ecosystem of the river. This narrow park hugs
the Stikine River and has over 80 km (50 mi) of steep-walled
canyon, which has formed after years of river erosion.
While kayaking and canoeing are popular activities on the
upper Stikine River, it is not permitted in the Grand Canyon
of the Stikine unless you are with an experienced guide
as this area is extremely dangerous. Many of the Iskut
aboriginal people use their wilderness skills as guides
for raft trips down the Stikine River. Fishing and wildlife
viewing are also popular; visitors can often see wolves,
bears, hoary marmots and mountain goats.
- Iskut River Hot Springs
Situated about 100km (62 mi) south of Iskut is the Iskut
River Hot Springs Provincial Park. This protected park,
with several hot springs, is only accessible by boat or
helicopter; the trails are limited which makes foot access
challenging.
- British Columbia’s Largest Huckleberry
Patch
Iskut is proud to have the largest huckleberry patch in
British Columbia as a result of the huge fire, which devastated
the region almost fifty years ago. The local bears can
frequently be spotted digging into a huckleberry feast,
preparing for their winter hibernation!
Things To Do
- Rafting / Canoeing / Kayaking
Iskut
is well known for its many rivers and lakes, which provide
excellent paddling conditions for both whitewater
rafting, canoeing and kayaking. There are a number of river
rafting companies who offer treks through Iskut’s
vast wilderness. Experienced paddlers enjoy the challenge
of the Stikine River, although some parts do require a
local guide. Spatsizi Provincial Park also has a number
of lakes, which are perfect for canoeing or kayaking.
- Camping
Due to its scenic location, Iskut has many remote
and beautiful places that are ideal for wilderness camping.
While camping is permitted anywhere along the roadside
in Iskut, the Kinaskan Lake Provincial Park is a fantastic
place to experience camping in northern BC. With awe inspiring
vistas, stretching across the Kinaskan Lake to Mount Edziza
Park, the park has fifty vehicle/tent campsites. Fees are
required during the summer months (May to September) and
during the off-season, campers must be prepared to be self-sufficient.
- Hiking
There are many hiking opportunities in the area surrounding
Iskut. The Spatsizi Provincial Park has over 160 km (99
mi) of hiking trails and the Stikine River Provincial Park
is also popular amongst hiking enthusiasts. However foot
access to the Mount Edizia Provincial Park is limited and
requires the expertise of a local wilderness guide.
- Wildlife Viewing
Iskut and the surrounding area are known for their abundance
of magnificent wildlife. Visitors have the opportunity
to view many animals in their natural habitats, such as
grizzly and black bears, moose, caribou, wolves, beavers
and over 140 species of birds. This is a must see for wildlife
enthusiasts!
Events
- Stikine Valley Gospel Music Festival|
Every
June the Stikine Canyon Ranch hosts this three day event
which includes music and local cooking. For more
information please contact Willie or Grace Williams 250-771-4301.
Contact Information
Northern BC Tourism Association
PO Box 2373
Prince George, BC
Canada
V2N 2S6
Physical Location:
1274 5th Avenue
Prince George, BC
Toll Free: 800.663.8843
Phone: 250.561.0432
Fax: 250.561.0450
Email: info@nbctourism.com
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