MRPP was established in 1913, is the second oldest provincial park in British Columbia and home to Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. With over 200 kilometres of trails, visitors come from far and wide to hike, climb, spelunk, canoe and boat. Camping at the park is available from May through October.
The park spans 224,866 hectares and is populated by over 182 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, and four species of amphibians. While white tail deer, mouse, elk and bear can be frequently seen in lower elevations, mountain goat and sheep inhabit the higher elevations.
“Mount Robson Provincial Park is a spectacular park. Known locally for its hiking, wildlife viewing and family friendly camping, it attracts visitors from across North America and around the world,” stated Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount, in a press release.
In January, the world famous Berg Lake Trail began accepting reservations for the 2013 season. In years past, users had to wait until March 15 before reserving, but now users can log in at www.discovercamping.ca to book their trip.
The first official ascent of Mount Robson was by William Foster, Albert McCarthy and Conrad Kain on July 31, 1913. However, on Aug. 13, 1909, Reverend George Kinney and a local guide known as Donald “Curly” Phillips believed they reached the crest of the peak. Today, mountaineers from around the world come to Mount Robson every year to attempt their own ascent. While Mount Robson is not the highest peak in Canada or the United States, the mountain offers an exhilarating 3,000–metre pure ascent. However, BC Parks warns that Mount Robson is a big mountain with big hazards and only the very experienced should consider climbing. Only properly equipped climbers, prepared and skilled in all facets of alpine mountaineering should attempt climbing Mount Robson.
Some of the celebrations happening this year at MRPP include a pancake breakfast on May 20, at the Robson Meadows Campground, including a visit by park mascot Jerry the Moose. On June 8, Ann Williams, the Jasper Naturalist, will be hosting an evening interpretive talk at the Robson Amphitheatre. On July 6, one of North Americas top alpinists, Barry Blanchard, will be hosting a presentation, also at the Robson Amphitheatre.
July 20 is parks day. Artist Jane Lytton Gooch will be releasing her latest book Mount Robson: Spiral Road of Art, and will be available to sign copies at the Robson Amphitheatre. Also featured at MRPP during parks day are presentations from Robert Sandford, Canadian chair of the United Nations “Water for Life” Decade partnership initiative, as well as noted author and mountaineer Chic Scott. Other events in July include a 100th anniversary celebration of the first ascent of Mount Robson.
