
The viewing platform at Helmcken Falls, near Clearwater. (Photo via Tourism Wells Gray)
The viewing platform at Helmcken Falls in Wells Gray Provincial Park will be closed to visitors in May and June because of construction work.
Claire Hanna, the Executive Director of Tourism Wells Gray, says BC Parks is spending about $2-million to build a new accessible platform at the popular tourist attraction.
“Its just ongoing maintenance basically for park structures but it does mean that they are able to tweak the designs from what we currently have,” Hanna said. “So there won’t be stairs involved, there will be ramps. It will be more accessible so that more people can come out and enjoy it regardless of their mobility.”
“[The new platform] will be made with FireSmart materials so that it will stand the test of time for a significantly longer period of time than what we currently have.”
In a statement, BC Parks says road access to Helmcken Falls will also be closed at the junction with the Clearwater Valley Road “for safety reasons” while construction is underway.
It says the project “has been carefully assessed and planned in a way to minimize impact to the public, local tourism, and the local community” and that “construction will be expedited as much as possible to reduce disruption to services and avoid an extended closure.”
“We appreciate your patience while we repair and improve this area for future visitors,” the statement said.
Hanna says while some tourists to Wells Gray Provincial Park may be disappointed they won’t get a glimpse of Helmcken Falls because of construction, she says there are a number of others waterfalls they’ll still be able to enjoy.
“Luckily, Wells Gray Park is home to 41 other waterfalls,” Hanna said, on NL Newsday. “We do have in that main park corridor Spahats Falls that is still going to be open this spring for people to go in and view because they’re not rebuilding that viewing platform until next spring.”
“We also have Dawson Falls, which is available for people to go and view again, a really short walk from the parking lot.”
Hanna also says tourists who have a bit more time can head to Moul Falls, where new metal stairs that take people to the base – and possibly behind the waterfalls – were installed last year.
“Typically our peak traffic to Wells Gray occurs from July, August, and September,” Hanna said, when asked about the timing of the construction work at Helmcken Falls.
“May and June are a little quieter months, so we don’t anticipate that there will be too many upsets to people’s travel plans, but like I said, there is lots to see in that main park corridor.”