Pictures from some of our previous exciting and informative programs.
From 2009...
Greatest Salmon River on Earth
Rock Paintings of the Stein Valley
Traditional Plants of the Cascades
Manning Park Bird Blitz
Family Hike To Othello Tunnels
Spring Snowshoe
From 2008...
Simon Fraser 200th
The Heart of the Fraser
BC Rivers Day Historical Paddle
Greatest Salmon River on Earth - Sept 27, 2009
Getting ready for the day, our intrepid volunteers face a chilly morning setting up for check-in...
Kelly Pearce introducing the day's events and providing information on river safety.
Before heading down the river in canoes, kayaks and rafts, we all paused for a photo opportunity.
Mike Church and Marvin Rosenau describing what we would be seeing and learning about during the trip down the river.
We were graced with such a beautiful day in the Fraser Valley!
...and much fun was being had by all canoers, kayakers and rafters.
During stops along the way, fisheries experts demonstrated purse seining. The wind posed quite a challenge on many of the attempts! Onlookers were fascinated as the biologists examined the catch.
Fish biologists Marvin Rosenau, Jordan Rosenfeld and Mike Pearson showing a few of the species caught after
a successful seining effort.
Mike Church describing the relationship between the Fraser River's geomorphology and salmon fishery.
It was great to see so many happy faces at the end of the day.
Thanks to everyone for making this such a fun and educational program and memorable event!
Photos: D.Bradshaw, C.Davis, S.Denkers, B.Matsuda
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
Rock Paintings of the Stein Valley - August 22, 2009
Our Stein Valley program participants...
Listening to our guest speaker and pictograph researcher, Chris Arnett, at the "Asking Wall."
Chris Arnett pointing out pictographs at the Asking Wall.
Looking up the Stein Valley, the smoke was coming from a distant forest fire. Taking a break by river's edge.
Kelly Pearce points out Stein Valley features on the map largely created by Chris Arnett.
Our group at the First Nations memorial tree.
Descending a portion of the Devil's Staircase.
Chris describing interpretations of the rock wall pictographs.
Some of the many rock paintings along the wall representing spiritual animal and human figures.
Chris providing fascinating stories about the rock paintings to one of the program participants.
On the way back, stopping for a welcome break on Devil's Staircase.
At the end of the day's very instructive and enjoyable program, we wait for the tiny "Reaction Ferry" to take us across the Fraser River just above Lytton, British Columbia.
Photo credits: C.Davis, S.Denkers.
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
Traditional Plants of the Cascades - July 11, 2009
Program participants at the Sumallo Grove trail head.
The group of enthusiastic hikers and Yvette John (in orange top) ready to provide instruction on the traditional First Nation
uses of forest plants.
We looked at many different plants such as wild ginger and Oregon grape important to First Nations traditional foods,
medicine and clothing.
We took several breaks along the 15 km trail on this hot day that provided the opportunity to get to know each other.
Everyone reached the end of the trail in the Skagit Valley tired, but in great spirits and more knowledgeable in how original
cultures used the forest as an important source of food, medicine and clothing.
Photo credits: S.Denkers, B.Matsuda.
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
Manning Park Bird Blitz - June 12-14, 2009
Manning Park Bird Blitz - June 12-14, 2009
The Hope Mountain Centre was pleased and honoured to co-host the 2009 Manning Park Bird Blitz with BC Nature. This was a tremendous event with about 100 birding enthusiasts from the lower mainland, Vancouver Island and interior locations of British Columbia. Birders ranging from beginners to experts identified close to 100 bird species over the weekend. We were also treated to a delicious barbeque dinner followed by a presentation from noted author, radio personality and expert ornithologist, Dick Cannings. Outdoor fun, new and old friendships, and learning opportunities were found by all.
2009 Bird Blitz group photo...
...and a few avian and human individuals captured up close by the camera lens!
Photo credits: S.Denkers, A.Stinson, K.Taylor.
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
Family Hike To Othello Tunnels - May 30, 2009
Another beautiful day greeted participants of our Othello Tunnels program, a free event oriented to families and people of all ages. Kelly Pearce guided our group through the Tunnels and described the impressive history of bringing the railroad to Hope and engineering feat of the Tunnels. The second part of the program introduced us the area's ecosystem with a hike along a portion of the Hope-Nicola Trail as we looped back to the starting point.
Introduction and synopsis of what people are to expect during the day's program.
Inge and Kelly demonstrating technique for blasting hole drilling employed during Othello Tunnels construction. First tunnel heading westward.
Our students learn about historic figures that drove railroad construction and engineering methods used at the time.
Kelly provides background of the historic Hope-Nicola Trail and the group starting up the trail.
The group enjoying a relaxing lunch break and great views across the valley. Bud talks about finding the historic trail marker years ago while he was maintaining the trail.
Some of the intrepid hikers before we head down to the Othello Tunnels parking area.
Photos: S.Denkers, G.Newell
Spring Snowshoe - April 4, 2009
Our free snowshoe event drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. What a beautiful day to get outside and enjoy spectacular scenery and learn about winter safety and mountain survival techniques with professional avalanche technician, Ed Campbell and naturalist, Kelly Pearce.
Photos: W.DaDalt, B.Matsuda
Simon Fraser 200th - June 29, 2008
On our way to a beautiful day full of educational opportunity and fun...
...with interpretive guides knowledgeable in First Nations and European settlement history,
aswell as regional geography and natural history...
...and our captain/owner of Fraser River Raft Expeditions provided expert navigation down the
river past First Nations cultural sites and gold rush historical points of interest on our way to
Welqámex (Greenwood Island).
At Welqámex, we were honoured by warm greetings and a welcoming ceremony from Chawathil
council and members...
After the welcoming ceremony and lunch, we were invited on to the main body of the island and
provided very informative talks about the island and its history. We were also treated to a
tour of the archaeological work being carried out by the University of California in partnership
with the Chawathil First Nation.
Close to the end of the trip, a happy (and possibly a little tired after the full day) crowd bidding
farewell to Welqámex. Thank you all for making this such a positive educational experience!
Also, a very special thanks to the generosity of the Chawathil band council and members, our
informative guides, Fraser River Raft Expeditions and Hope Mountain Centre staff and volunteers.
This was a special day sure to be remembered by all for a long time.
Photo credits: K.Chen, C.Davis, S.Denkers and K.Pearce.
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
The Heart of the Fraser - August 23, 2008
Starting out at the Fraser River Safari base, we began with an introduction to the day's events
from our Heart of the Fraser co-leads, Mark Angelo and Dr. Marvin Rosenau--both fisheries
experts with the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
After the introduction we were all anxious to board Fraser River Safari's jet boat to see the river first hand.
Both Marvin and Mark provided fascinating commentary on the values and impacts on the Fraser as we
headed up river.
Many of the values that Mark and Marvin discussed include recreational fishing, an activity clearly of
importance as seen by the group.
The special importance of the First Nations fishery was also discussed.
As we neared the mouth of the Harrison River a distinct line in colour was clearly seen where the water
from the two rivers meet--the silty, mud-coloured Fraser and clear, blue Harrison.
Shortly after entering the Harrison River we stopped for lunch at Kilby where there was a little time for
exploration and learning about the history of the area.
After lunch, there was some time for Heart of the Fraser discussions while waiting to re-board our jet boat.
During our time on the river further examples of wildlife--such as these osprey--were observed with
conversation around how preservation can be accomplished in the presence of
industrial/commercial/recreational uses of the river.
Log storage and transportation.
Gravel and rock extraction and barging.
Gravel barge.
Our final pause before returning to the Fraser
River Safari base was to take a look at these fishwheels that are used to gently capture salmon for
research and tagging.
Thanks to Mark Angelo and Marvin Rosenau for taking time to share their knowledge with us.
This educational day gave us great insights into why Mark Angelo calls this biologically
rich stretch of water The Heart of the Fraser.
Photo credits: V.Bach, S.Denkers.
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
BC Rivers Day Historical Paddle - September 28, 2008
Beginning at the Yale Museum with an overview of the course and educational events to come, we began with introductions from natural historian and geographer Kelly Pearce (left) and gold rush historian Don Hauka (right).
At our launch point owner and operator of Fraser River Raft Expeditions gave paddlers some final tips on river safety followed by a traditional Sto:lo send-off by Nelson and his wife.
Setting off down the Fraser River...
At Hill's Bar, we started with a great lunch spread provided by Fraser River Raft Expeditions followed by gold panning lessons and First Nations and gold rush history from instructors Don Hauka and Kelly Pearce.
Followed by Fraser watershed geomorphology and history from Langara College's Rick Blacklaws and fish biology lessons from Jordan Rosenfeld, Ministry of Environment.
...and back to the river toward Strawberry Island where we were treated to additional informative talks on local geography and First Nations cultural history.
After our stop at Stawberry Island we took the last leg to the river side north of Hope. It was a beautiful--sometimes exciting--and certainly educational day on the Fraser River.
Photo credits: V.Bach, R.Beadle, C.Davis, S.Denkers, J.Lang and K.Pearce.
Let us know if you'd like to share special photos from the day!
Sep 03, 2010