Touring Tonquin Valley

Note: Parks Canada has adjusted the closure again, you will have to contact Parks to find out more. (2022)

Wates Gibson, Tonquin Valley Adventures and Tonquin Valley Backcountry Lodges are in limbo.

This trip was a little bit of work, and lot of play. For those who don’t know this area, the photos will hopefully entice you to visit. From trail head of Edith Cavell, you get the Astoria river entrance. This year the snowfall has been light, so the travel on the river itself was not really an option, however we still manage to cross some snow bridges.

Snow was deeper in Amethyst Lake area where the cabins reside, so some digging down to the cabins were in order. We had an early start in getting the chores done before a little tour at Surprise Point, pretty close to the ACC hut “Wates Gibson”. Since that aspect was north facing, the snow was pretty light on our tour.

Getting away with only waxing the skis for the 34km tour out was a treat, glide plus kick. The day took about 7 hours, but photo opportunities and generous breaks was well worth the time out. The last time we went in and out of the Tonquin Valley, the temperature was -30 some odd degrees. This trip was pleasant hovering above zero degrees Celsius.

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