Schoen Lake

Schoen Lake Provincial Park is a spectacular wilderness park covering 8,775 hectares in northeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, located east of Woss Lake and southwest of Sayward. The park protects old-growth forests, glaciers, alpine meadows, pristine waterways, and Schoen Lake itself, a stunning 5-kilometer-long waterbody with depths averaging 77 meters. Established as a Class A park on October 28, 1977, it safeguards representative natural features of the Insular Mountains Natural Region including critical habitat for Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, and numerous other species. The park features Kiwi Falls, a 475-meter horsetail waterfall ranking as the 8th tallest in British Columbia and the tallest on Vancouver Island. Schoen Lake is considered one of Vancouver Island's most beautiful parks, offering exceptional wilderness experiences in a remote mountain setting.

The park supports diverse Vancouver Island wildlife including black bears, cougars, Roosevelt elk, wolves, and Columbian black-tailed deer that utilize the varied habitats from valley bottoms to alpine areas. The Adams River herd of Roosevelt elk uses valley bottoms, wetlands, and avalanche chutes as summer range, with the spectacular fall rut frequently observed in Nisnak Meadows. Mountain goats inhabit higher elevations and rocky slopes, while smaller mammals including martens, fishers, mink, and various rodents thrive throughout the park. Bird diversity includes waterfowl on lakes, forest songbirds, and raptors such as bald eagles and ospreys. Schoen Lake contains fish populations including cutthroat trout and potentially other species supporting both aquatic food webs and recreational fishing.

The park protects magnificent old-growth forests including ancient Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock, some reaching enormous sizes in the fertile valley bottoms. Subalpine areas feature mountain hemlock, subalpine fir, and yellow cedar giving way to alpine meadows dominated by heathers, sedges, wildflowers, and hardy shrubs. Avalanche chutes create natural openings supporting diverse vegetation including willows, alders, berry-producing shrubs, and herbaceous plants important for elk and other wildlife. Wetlands contain sedges, mosses, and water-loving plants providing critical ecological functions. The vegetation mosaic from valley forests through subalpine to alpine creates exceptional biodiversity and scenic beauty while supporting complex food webs and ecosystem processes.

The park's dramatic landscape was shaped by multiple geological processes including volcanic activity, mountain building, glaciation, and ongoing erosion. The underlying bedrock consists of volcanic rocks from the Insular Mountains formation, with evidence of ancient volcanic processes visible in some areas. Pleistocene glaciation carved the deep lake basin, sculpted U-shaped valleys, and created cirques and other alpine features still visible today. Small glaciers persist in high elevations, representing remnants of more extensive ice coverage and continuing to shape the landscape through erosion and meltwater processes. Kiwi Falls cascades 475 meters down steep mountain faces, demonstrating the extreme relief and erosional power of water in this mountainous terrain.

The park experiences a maritime mountain climate with mild, very wet winters and cool, relatively dry summers moderated by Pacific Ocean influences. Annual precipitation is extremely high, often exceeding 2,500mm, with most falling as rain in valley bottoms and snow at higher elevations. Summer temperatures range from 12-22°C in valleys with much cooler conditions at elevation, while winter temperatures typically stay near freezing in valleys with substantial snowpack accumulating in subalpine and alpine zones. Weather can change rapidly in mountains with fog, rain, and wind possible year-round. The high precipitation supports lush forests and maintains glaciers, streams, and lakes while creating challenging conditions for backcountry travelers.

The region has been utilized by Indigenous peoples including the Kwakwaka'wakw and related groups for thousands of years, with the Nimpkish Valley providing important resources including salmon runs, game, plant foods, and materials. Traditional use involved seasonal movements following resource availability, with detailed knowledge of travel routes, resource locations, and sustainable harvesting practices. European contact brought significant changes including logging, mining exploration, and establishment of settlements in coastal and valley areas. The area's magnificent forests attracted intense logging interest, with conservation advocates eventually succeeding in protecting Schoen Lake as a provincial park. Indigenous communities maintain cultural connections to traditional territories and continue practicing traditional activities while partnering with BC Parks on management.

Schoen Lake Provincial Park was officially established on October 28, 1977 as a Class A park following conservation efforts to protect its old-growth forests, wilderness values, and ecological significance. Park creation aimed to preserve representative examples of Insular Mountains ecosystems while protecting critical wildlife habitat and providing wilderness recreation opportunities. Development has been deliberately minimal to maintain wilderness character, with basic campsites and access but no extensive facilities or trail systems. Since 2010, the park has been operated by Namgis First Nation through a partnership with BC Parks, representing important Indigenous involvement in protected area management. The park serves as a wilderness refuge within Vancouver Island's heavily logged landscapes, protecting irreplaceable old-growth and intact ecosystems.

Schoen Lake itself is the park's centerpiece, offering pristine wilderness waters for paddling, fishing, and lakeside camping among spectacular mountain scenery. Kiwi Falls, the 475-meter waterfall cascading from mountains southeast of the lake, provides a stunning natural spectacle visible from various viewpoints. Nisnak Meadows offers exceptional opportunities to observe Roosevelt elk, particularly during the fall rut when bulls bugle and compete for mates. Mount Schoen, at 1,802 meters elevation, challenges climbers with a rewarding summit providing panoramic vistas of the lake and surrounding wilderness. Rugged unmarked routes including Schoen Creek Trail and Nisnak Lake Trail allow experienced backcountry travelers to explore the park's diverse landscapes from forests to alpine zones.

The park offers 9 vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis located near the lakeshore, with pit toilets but no other developed facilities. Access requires traveling approximately 140 kilometers north of Campbell River on Highway 19, then 12 kilometers on gravel Davie Road past Sayward to reach the park gate. The park is open from April 1 to October 31, with the access road closed during winter months. Camping fees are $11 per party per night, with senior discounts available during shoulder seasons. No reservations are accepted, requiring flexible planning especially during peak summer periods. Visitors must be self-sufficient, bringing all necessary equipment, supplies, and being prepared for wilderness conditions and potentially challenging weather.

The park protects critical old-growth forest ecosystems increasingly rare on Vancouver Island, providing refugia for species dependent on these complex habitats. Roosevelt elk habitat including wetlands, meadows, and avalanche chutes receives special management attention given the importance of the Adams River herd. Water quality monitoring ensures Schoen Lake and tributaries remain pristine, supporting healthy fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. Small glaciers are monitored as indicators of climate change impacts on high-elevation environments. The partnership between BC Parks and Namgis First Nation incorporates Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into management decisions. Conservation challenges include managing recreation impacts, protecting sensitive wildlife areas, addressing invasive species, and adapting to climate change effects including altered precipitation patterns, warming temperatures, and potential impacts on glaciers and snowpack.