Raft Mountain
Encyclopedia
Raft Mountain is a mountain in east-central British Columbia, Canada, located north-east of Clearwater
and just outside the south boundary of Wells Gray Provincial Park
. The Clearwater River
flows to the west, Raft River to the east, Spahats Creek to the north, and North Thompson River to the south. Raft Mountain is part of the Shuswap Highland
. There are four summits in the group and the highest is 2450 m (8,038 ft). Trophy Mountain
is the closest summit to the north.
The north face of Raft Mountain can be reached via Spahats Creek Road which turns east off Clearwater Valley Road (also called Wells Gray Park Road). Good clearance but not four-wheel drive is needed. A rough trail leads from the pass into Caligata Lake Provincial Park
below the north face. A hiking and scrambling route goes from the lake into the Cirque of Tarns and up to Raft's east ridge and third summit.
Road and hiking directions for both routes are essential and can be found in Exploring Wells Gray Park (5th edition).
Groomed cross-country ski trails are located on the lower slopes of Raft Mountain and are maintained by the Wells Gray Outdoors Club.
A network of snowmobile trails on Raft Mountain is maintained by the Clearwater Sno-Drifters Club. The group also operates two warming huts near treeline.
rafted down the North Thompson River in 1862. When they arrived at the mouth of the Clearwater River, they noticed this prominent peak and named it for their rafts. They also named the Clearwater River for its distinct clarity compared to the muddy North Thompson and the nearby Raft River.
Clearwater, British Columbia
Clearwater is a district municipality in the North Thompson River valley in British Columbia, Canada, north of Kamloops. The largest community in the valley, with a population of 4,960, Clearwater is predominantly employed by the forestry industry. Tourism is also a major industry, with Wells Gray...
and just outside the south boundary of Wells Gray Provincial Park
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...
. The Clearwater River
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...
flows to the west, Raft River to the east, Spahats Creek to the north, and North Thompson River to the south. Raft Mountain is part of the Shuswap Highland
Shuswap Highland
The Shuswap Highland is a plateau-like hilly area of in British Columbia, Canada. It spans the upland area between the Bonaparte and Thompson Plateaus from the area of Mahood Lake, at the southeast corner of the Cariboo Plateau, southeast towards the lower Shuswap River east of Vernon in the...
. There are four summits in the group and the highest is 2450 m (8,038 ft). Trophy Mountain
Trophy Mountain
Trophy Mountain is a mountain in east-central British Columbia, Canada, located in the south-east region of Wells Gray Provincial Park. The Clearwater River flows to the west, Raft River to the east and Spahats Creek to the south. Trophy Mountain is part of the Shuswap Highland...
is the closest summit to the north.
Access
The Raft River Forest Service Road and other industrial roads provide access to the south side of the mountain. Check in advance for logging activity. Some sections of this road require four-wheel drive and high clearance. It is nearly 22 km (13.7 mi) to the end of the road at 1865 m (6,119 ft). A hike of about 3 hours goes up the meadows to the west ridge, then to the summit.The north face of Raft Mountain can be reached via Spahats Creek Road which turns east off Clearwater Valley Road (also called Wells Gray Park Road). Good clearance but not four-wheel drive is needed. A rough trail leads from the pass into Caligata Lake Provincial Park
Caligata Lake Provincial Park
Caligata Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located northeast of Clearwater. The lake occupies a cirque below the north face of Raft Mountain...
below the north face. A hiking and scrambling route goes from the lake into the Cirque of Tarns and up to Raft's east ridge and third summit.
Road and hiking directions for both routes are essential and can be found in Exploring Wells Gray Park (5th edition).
Groomed cross-country ski trails are located on the lower slopes of Raft Mountain and are maintained by the Wells Gray Outdoors Club.
A network of snowmobile trails on Raft Mountain is maintained by the Clearwater Sno-Drifters Club. The group also operates two warming huts near treeline.
Naming
The Overlanders expedition to the Cariboo goldfieldsCariboo Gold Rush
The Cariboo Gold Rush was a gold rush in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Although the first gold discovery was made in 1859 at Horsefly Creek, followed by more strikes at Keithley Creek and Antler Horns lake in 1860, the actual rush did not begin until 1861, when these discoveries were...
rafted down the North Thompson River in 1862. When they arrived at the mouth of the Clearwater River, they noticed this prominent peak and named it for their rafts. They also named the Clearwater River for its distinct clarity compared to the muddy North Thompson and the nearby Raft River.