McDougall Lake
Encyclopedia
McDougall Lake is a lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park
in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It drains through File Creek into Murtle Lake
.
on the Murtle River
were named for Pete McDougal who homesteaded in the Clearwater River Valley
from 1913 to 1936. The different spelling of these names has evolved over the years.
trail from Clearwater Lake
is also overgrown and seldom maintained; east of Kostal Lake, the route is cross-country over the lava flows from Kostal Volcano. Float planes and helicopters are allowed to land at McDougall Lake with a permit from B.C. Parks.
Canoes and kayaks can be portaged from Murtle Lake around some outlet rapids on File Creek, then one can paddle 4 km (2.5 mi) upstream. The creek is impassable at a log jam, and a flagged route starts here. The hike to McDougall Lake is 6 km (3.7 mi) and takes about 3 hours.
Wells Gray Provincial Park
Wells Gray Provincial Park is a large wilderness park located in east-central British Columbia, Canada. The park protects most of the southern, and highest, regions of the Cariboo Mountains and covers 5,250 square kilometres...
in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It drains through File Creek into Murtle Lake
Murtle Lake
Murtle Lake is a lava dammed lake located in Wells Gray Provincial Park, east-central British Columbia, Canada. It is fed primarily by the Murtle River which rises from a large unnamed glacier in the Cariboo Mountains at an elevation of and flows southwest for to the lake. The Murtle River also...
.
Naming
McDougall Lake and McDougall FallsMcDougall Falls
McDougall Falls is a waterfall on the Murtle River in Wells Gray Provincial Park, east-central British Columbia, Canada.McDougall Falls is located 5 km downstream from the Diamond Lagoon of Murtle Lake. It is 14 m high. A hiking trail follows the south shore of the Murtle River from the lagoon...
on the Murtle River
Murtle River
The Murtle River is a river in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It rises from a large unnamed glacier in the Cariboo Mountains at an elevation of and flows southwest for to the head of gigantic Murtle Lake. The river also drains Murtle Lake then flows southwest for into the Clearwater...
were named for Pete McDougal who homesteaded in the Clearwater River Valley
Clearwater River (British Columbia)
The Clearwater River is the largest tributary of the North Thompson River, joining it at the community of Clearwater, British Columbia. The Clearwater rises from glaciers in the Cariboo Mountains and flows in a mostly southerly direction for to the North Thompson. Its entire course, except the...
from 1913 to 1936. The different spelling of these names has evolved over the years.
Access
There is no road or trail to McDougall Lake. Some maps show a trail from Murtle Lake up File Creek, but it is now overgrown and impassable. The Kostal LakeKostal Lake
Kostal Lake is a lake located in Wells Gray Provincial Park, east-central British Columbia, Canada. It is located west of Murtle Lake and east of Clearwater Lake.-Naming:...
trail from Clearwater Lake
Clearwater Lake (British Columbia)
Clearwater Lake is one of six large lakes in Wells Gray Provincial Park, east-central British Columbia, Canada. It is an expansion of the Clearwater River, downstream from Hobson Lake.-Formation:...
is also overgrown and seldom maintained; east of Kostal Lake, the route is cross-country over the lava flows from Kostal Volcano. Float planes and helicopters are allowed to land at McDougall Lake with a permit from B.C. Parks.
Canoes and kayaks can be portaged from Murtle Lake around some outlet rapids on File Creek, then one can paddle 4 km (2.5 mi) upstream. The creek is impassable at a log jam, and a flagged route starts here. The hike to McDougall Lake is 6 km (3.7 mi) and takes about 3 hours.