Clendinning

Clendinning Provincial Park protects a scenic section of the northern Selkirk Mountains in southeastern British Columbia, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Revelstoke near the community of Trout Lake. The park encompasses 134 hectares of mountainous terrain featuring old-growth western red cedar and western hemlock forest, a spectacular waterfall, and access to alpine environments. The park's centerpiece is Clendinning Creek Falls, a dramatic cascade plunging over vertical cliffs surrounded by ancient rainforest. The park provides recreation opportunities including hiking, fishing, and nature appreciation in a relatively undeveloped setting. The area's wet climate supports lush interior rainforest ecosystems with massive trees, dense undergrowth, and abundant mosses and lichens. Clendinning Provincial Park represents the interior wet belt ecosystem, distinct from both coastal rainforests and drier interior forests. Its location in the remote Lardeau Valley means it receives fewer visitors than more accessible parks, offering solitude and pristine conditions for those who make the journey.

Clendinning Provincial Park's dense forests and mountainous terrain support diverse wildlife characteristic of the interior wet belt. Grizzly bears and black bears inhabit the park, feeding on berries, plants, and occasional salmon in streams. Mountain caribou may use high-elevation portions of the park, though this critically endangered population faces severe decline. Wolverines, elusive and rarely seen, inhabit remote alpine areas. Mountain goats occupy steep cliffs and rocky slopes above treeline. The forests provide habitat for marten, fisher, and Canada lynx. Deer mice, voles, and other small mammals are abundant, supporting predators including owls and hawks. Birdlife includes varied thrushes, winter wrens, golden-crowned kinglets, and Steller's jays in the forest. Gray jays and Clark's nutcrackers inhabit higher elevations. Barred owls and great horned owls hunt at night. The creek supports bull trout and rainbow trout, though populations are sensitive to habitat degradation. Salamanders and frogs inhabit wetland areas and streams.

The park protects exceptional examples of interior rainforest dominated by massive old-growth western red cedar and western hemlock. Individual cedars can exceed 1000 years old with diameters over two meters. These giants create cathedral-like canopies over dense understories of devil's club, ferns, and mosses. Western hemlock forms the secondary canopy layer, with regeneration occurring on nurse logs and in canopy gaps. Subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce dominate higher elevations, transitioning to krummholz and alpine meadows near treeline. The understory is incredibly lush, with sword fern, lady fern, and oak fern blanketing the forest floor. Devil's club, with its large leaves and spiny stems, thrives in moist areas. Mosses cover every surface, with hanging lichens festooning branches. Wildflowers including queen's cup, bunchberry, and foam flower bloom in the forest shade. The wet climate supports exceptional epiphyte diversity including numerous moss, liverwort, and lichen species.

Clendinning Provincial Park sits within the Selkirk Mountains, part of the Columbia Mountain system formed through complex tectonic processes. The bedrock consists primarily of metamorphic rocks including schist and gneiss formed from ancient sediments subjected to intense heat and pressure during mountain building. These mountains represent part of the Cordilleran thrust belt where crustal plates collided, forcing rock layers upward. Glaciation during the Pleistocene epoch carved deep valleys, sharpened peaks, and created the dramatic relief visible today. Clendinning Creek flows through a glacially-carved valley, its waterfall likely plunging over a resistant rock layer or fault. The high precipitation in the region drives rapid erosion and weathering, continuously reshaping the landscape. Landslides and debris flows are common on steep slopes, particularly during spring snowmelt and heavy rain events. The thin, acidic soils developed slowly atop the bedrock, with organic matter accumulation creating the substrate supporting the massive trees.

Clendinning Provincial Park experiences an interior wet belt climate characterized by heavy precipitation and relatively moderate temperatures compared to drier interior regions. Annual precipitation exceeds 1200mm, with substantial snowfall during winter months. Winter snowpack in the mountains can exceed several meters. Summer temperatures are moderate, averaging 18-22°C during July and August, while winters are cold with average January temperatures around -8°C in valleys, much colder at elevation. The region receives moisture from Pacific storms that cross the Coast Mountains and dump remaining precipitation on the Selkirks. Cloud cover and fog are common throughout the year. Spring arrives late, with snowmelt typically occurring in May or June. Fall colors emerge in late September as deciduous species turn yellow and gold. Weather can change rapidly, particularly in shoulder seasons, requiring visitors to prepare for varied conditions. The abundant precipitation supports the lush forest ecosystems and maintains numerous waterfalls and streams.

The Lardeau Valley region has been part of Interior Salish territories, particularly Sinixt and Ktunaxa peoples, for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples traveled through mountain passes and used valleys for hunting, fishing, and plant gathering. The area's cedar forests provided materials for canoes, houses, and cultural items. European exploration began in the late 1800s with prospectors searching for mineral deposits. Silver and gold discoveries in the nearby Lardeau region brought mining development in the 1890s-1920s. Logging operations targeted the massive cedar and hemlock forests, with selective logging occurring through much of the Lardeau Valley. The community of Trout Lake developed as a supply center for mining and logging activities. As mining declined, the area's economy shifted toward forestry and small-scale tourism. Recognition of the ecological values of remaining old-growth forests led to conservation efforts. Provincial park establishment protected a representative example of interior rainforest from logging while providing public recreation access.

Clendinning Provincial Park was established as part of British Columbia's expansion of the provincial park system to represent diverse ecosystems and protect significant natural features. The park's establishment protected old-growth forest and the spectacular waterfall from logging. Early management focused on minimal development consistent with the park's remote location and relatively low visitation. Basic trails were established to access the waterfall and provide forest walking opportunities. The park has remained relatively undeveloped, maintaining a natural character valued by visitors seeking less-crowded destinations. Management challenges include protecting old-growth forest from windthrow following logging in adjacent areas, managing recreation impacts, and monitoring wildlife populations, particularly mountain caribou. The park's small size limits its ecological self-sufficiency, requiring cooperation with adjacent land managers to maintain habitat connectivity. Recent management has emphasized low-impact recreation and education about interior rainforest ecosystems.

The park's main attraction is Clendinning Creek Falls, accessed via a trail through magnificent old-growth forest. The trail to the falls is approximately 2 kilometers return, suitable for most fitness levels though some sections may be slippery. The waterfall is spectacular, particularly during spring runoff when flow is highest. The trail passes through exceptional old-growth cedar and hemlock forest, with interpretive opportunities to appreciate these ancient trees. Fishing in Clendinning Creek attracts anglers pursuing trout, though catch-and-release practices help maintain populations. The park serves as a trailhead for more extensive backcountry routes into the Selkirk Mountains for experienced hikers. Photography opportunities are excellent, particularly the waterfall and old-growth forest. The park offers picnic facilities near the parking area. The remote location and relatively minimal development mean visitors experience nature in a less-managed setting than more developed parks. The quiet atmosphere and impressive natural features make the park ideal for nature appreciation and contemplation.

Clendinning Provincial Park offers basic day-use facilities including a small parking area, pit toilets, and picnic tables. There are no camping facilities, visitor centers, or staff presence. The park is accessed via gravel forest roads from Highway 31, requiring approximately 50 kilometers of driving from Kaslo or a similar distance from Revelstoke via the Trout Lake area. Road conditions vary seasonally, with maintenance limited on some sections. High-clearance vehicles are recommended, though not always required depending on conditions. The nearest services are in Kaslo and Revelstoke, each approximately 50-70 kilometers away. Cell phone coverage is absent throughout most of the route and in the park. The park is typically accessible from late May through October, though exact dates depend on snowmelt and road conditions. Winter access is not maintained. Visitors should come fully prepared with food, water, emergency supplies, and appropriate outdoor clothing. Bear awareness and food storage precautions are essential.

Conservation at Clendinning Provincial Park focuses on protecting old-growth forest ecosystems and maintaining habitat connectivity for wide-ranging species. The park's small size means it functions as a fragment within a larger landscape, requiring coordination with adjacent land managers to maintain ecological integrity. Old-growth forest protection includes monitoring for windthrow, disease, and fire risk. The park provides habitat for mountain caribou, a critically endangered species requiring large areas of old-growth forest for survival. Monitoring and protecting caribou habitat is a critical management priority, though recovery faces significant challenges region-wide. Invasive species monitoring prevents establishment of non-native plants that could alter ecosystem dynamics. Trail maintenance addresses erosion and minimizes visitor impacts on sensitive areas. Climate change poses risks including altered precipitation patterns, increased wildfire risk, and potential tree disease outbreaks. The park participates in broader species at risk monitoring and habitat connectivity initiatives. Educational programs help visitors appreciate old-growth forest values and conservation needs.