British Columbia

Leader: Tony Greenfield

BC is one of the biggest, highest, steepest, wettest and snowiest jurisdictions in the world. In addition the landscape has been afflicted over the millennia by the old triumvirate of fire, ice and water. Volcanic eruptions, glaciation and fluvial erosion have worked hand in hand to create a wide variety of waterfall types. It is no surprise then that BC has a rich waterfall heritage.

While the 16 major waterfalls along the route will be our destinations, the itinerary will take us through the unending panorama of spectacular scenery for which BC is famous...the Fraser Valley, Harrison Lake, the Fraser Canyon, the North Thompson River, Wells Gray Provincial Park ("the waterfall park"), the Cariboo, the arid benchlands of the Fraser River east of Lilloooet, the Duffey Lake Road and the Sea to Sky Highway. Your guide will identify and interpret the landforms, forests, plants, birds and wildlife along the way.

The waterfalls will vary from the spectacular high, ribbon-like plunges of Brandywine and Spahats, to the river-wide Dawson Falls (a miniature Niagara), to the wild complexities of Shannon and Nairn, and the wonder of Helmcken (perhaps BC's premier waterfall). There will even be an opportunity for the adventurous to stand BEHIND the falling water of a major 35 metre high falls... a breathtaking experience.

The tour route is designed to maximize visiting a variety of waterfalls whilst taking advantage of BC's varied scenery. The itinerary is also based on making this tour accessible to almost everyone, as most viewpoints are via short, level, improved trails.

While BC's fall colour cannot compete with the crimson of the Eastern forests, the intensity of the golden hues of our interior is still mightily impressive and mid-October is the prime viewing season..