Ready for some activity? For more information on the history of the families that have historic ties to Jasper National Park and Willmore Wilderness Park, … Willmore Wilderness Park, a little known Canadian Rockies hide-a-way, is directly north of both Banff and Jasper National Parks. All motorized vehicles are prohibited within the park. At this point they joined Joseph Belcourt and continued west by way of Cumberland House, up the Churchill River to Beaver River, to Lac La Biche. During an interview in 1917, then 93-year-old Louis Loyer Sr claimed that Yellowhead or Tēte Jaune was his grandfather. Willmore Wilderness Park. History reveals that the first Iroquois hunters had come from the East in the 1790s in the employ of the fur trading companies. Visitors to Willmore must be experienced and well-equipped for backcountry adventure. Willmore Wilderness Park: History, Scenery and Wildlife, Willmore has it all! In addition to the seven classifications within the Alberta parks system, Willmore Wilderness Park is a unique area. One group settled in the upper Smoky Lake region, just east of Jasper Park, and maintained friendly relations with the local Shuswap. There are no public roads, bridges or buildings. Documentaries feature the unique culture, history and traditions of Willmore Wilderness Park and neighbouring regions. Potential dangers while travelling through the park are changing weather (which can make rising waters dangerous to ford; there are not many bridges so don't get caught behind rising water), lost and water-logged trails and the abundant bear population. Another staging area is found south-east of the park, in the town of Hinton. He moved to the Athabasca Valley where his sons James and Picinah continued to work for the Hudson’s bay Company. Louis Loyer Jr and Louis Loyer Sr worked in Jasper House in the early 1800s. After the last Shuswap died off, the Iroquois expanded their range into the mountain area and remained there until 1910, when Jasper National Park was created and all squatters were evicted. The North West Company records also show that Ignace Wanyandie’s co-workers and voyageurs in the Athabasca District, as early as 1804, included Charles Loyer, Pierre Delorme, Jasper Haws, and Jacques L’Hirondelle. Willmore Wilderness Park is a pristine mountainous area with rugged forest and alpine expanses. Become one with the remote and wild places in Willmore Wilderness Park, directly north of Banff and Jasper National Parks. Today, the parks still contain and control sites with significant historical, cultural and ecological value. Willmore was initially traversed by First Nations, followed by Hudson’s Bay Company hunters and trappers in the 1800s. To share the stories, knowledge, traditions and culture of the Rocky Mountain community, transforming the history and vision into a thriving, flourishing and dynamic future. These historic trails were used even earlier by the indigenous people of this Rocky Mountain region. Author Susan Feddema-Leonard has compiled a vast amount of historical and geographical data, all wrapped between the colourful hardboard covers of People & Peaks of Willmore Wilderness Park: 1800s to mid-1900s. Vincent (Basa) Wanyandie and his family still resided at Jasper House in 1872. These three, Louis and Ignace Karakwante and Ignace Wanyandie came from the Indian Village of Caughnawaga, nine miles east of Montreal, Quebec. From the camp, follow a dry creek bed to the east for 5 km. Fast moving streams are a good source of drinkable water. Once their contract was over, some decided to stay and married local Cree and Métis women. Horseback trails have been well established in the Grande Cache area over the past 225 years by voyageurs and explorers who were employed in the Canadian fur trade. Grande Cache is the gateway to Willmore Wilderness Park which comprises 4,597 square kilometres of pure, unspoiled mountain wilderness. It is lesser known and less visited than Jasper National Park. [6] Motorised vehicles are not allowed in the park, transportation is done by foot, horse, mountain bike or ski. Our new plan was to cross the Rockies and the Continental Divide from east to west via scenic and little-used trails in Willmore Wilderness Park (Willmore) and Jasper National Park (JNP). 9) and is managed by Alberta Community Development as a wilderness park. For other maps, contact the Switzer Park Visitor Centre at 780-865-5600 or the Hinton Parks Officeat 780-865-8395. The mountains give many the feeling of being at one with nature. Many of the stories that People & Peaks Productions produce are shot on location in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The New Town of Grande Cache was incorporated on September 1, 1966. Trail A major staging area for Willmore Wilderness and , Trails. 1 Grande Cache overlooks the Smoky River, is at the northern edge of Alberta's Rockies, and serves as the gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park. Read our COVID-19 guidelines by clicking this banner before visiting one of our parks. Norman Willmore (1909–1965), politician in Alberta, Canada; Patrick Willmore (1921–1994), British seismologist; Thomas Willmore (1919–2005), English geometer; Other. From there they portaged to the forest of the Athabasca. This route takes place in the Willmore Wilderness Park backcountry from a primitive campsite beside the Berland River. Our Shoot Location: Willmore Wilderness Park. Horseback riding tours make camping, wildlife watching and fishing a holiday adventure you’ll never forget. Ignace settled in the Athabasca Valley at Jasper House after he arrived in 1804, employed as a voyageur for the North West Company. Freemen, known as Otipemisiwak, were “those in charge of themselves:” the first independent businessmen in the Canadian Rockies. The rivers and creeks are crystal clear, and fast-moving streams are a good source of drinking water. The only mode of … Basa and his neighbours, the Findlays, Moberlys, Joachims, Thappes and others would hunt and trap in the country to the west and north of Jasper. At the end of the eighteenth century (circa 1800), three Iroquois came to what is now known as Alberta. The hamlet held town status prior to 2019. In 1969 the Willmore Wilderness Park was reduced in size and the Town of Grande Cache was built. They traversed what is now called Jasper National Park, Willmore Wilderness Park, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park, and the BC Kakwa Provincial Park. The park protects a large population of mountain goats and bighorn sheep (20% of the total population in Alberta). Her father was a fur trading Factor and her mother was a Sekanaise woman. Tom Wanyandie travels 200-kilometers on horseback to restore his grandfather's grave deep in Willmore Wilderness Park, in the Canadian Rockies. "Spirit of the Rockies" shares the saga of an 86-year-old Iroquois-Cree Elder who has one last desire. See the trails on this Willmore Wilderness Park map. Willmore Wilderness Park has a unique horseback culture, traditions and history that date back to the Canadian Fur Trade. The 14 km trail joins the north boundary trail at about 49 km (from snake Indian river staging). Several native burial sites are located at Big Grave Flats, as well as some early coal mining, forestry and trapper cabins. Willmore energy in differential geometry Willmore conjecture on toruses The family was forced out of Jasper when It became a National Park. Written by: Ron Kelland, Historic Places Research Officer Alberta’s newest Provincial Historic Resource is the Mile 58 Forestry Cabin in the Willmore Wilderness Park. This area is now known as Willmore Wilderness Park. The clothing was based on archival journals and the purchasing habits of these individuals. Read on to learn more about our rates and different types of vacation packages. He made a mark in history when he, with his wife and children, followed the Blaeberry River and was the first to reach the upper Columbia River on a round trip over the Rockies in 1806. Willmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometres (1,800 sq mi) wilderness area adjacent to the world-famous Jasper National Park. Willmore Wilderness Park is located directly north of Jasper National Park, and its western boundary follows the Great Continental Divide. Jacco, himself, was a fur-trading factor or boss. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Rock Lake staging area allows easy access to north of Jasper park through Willow Creek trail. Far from the crowds, we'll immerse ourselves deep in the heart of this stunning area with the aid of horse packers, then hike our way out, often cross-country, through dense forests and across two ridges high above treeline. Except for historic First Nations settlements, outfitters camps and cabins, the park remains undeveloped. The family lived there, and grandson Vincent (Basa) was born in the same town in 1859. Fast moving streams are a good source of drinkable water. Extensive research and development goes into each production revealing true-to-life stories, set in the remote recesses of … Today some of Jacco’s descendants live in Grande Cache and Edson. Willmore energy in differential geometry Willmore conjecture on toruses From the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean with great forests & plains in between, this stunningly beautiful series characterizes the abundant wildlife, stunning beauty and compelling stories of our Great Canadian Parks Ignace Wanyandie married a Metis woman by the name of Marie (Sakanise) Walker. Cowlick Creek Trail is a 22 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Greenview No. Travelling the old pack trails allows one to be independent and free to stop and make their home in a camp; free to experience the sounds and beauty of the earth. It was established in 1959 and is managed under its own legislation, the Willmore Wilderness Park Act. The New Town of Grande Cache was incorporated on September 1, 1966. Norman Willmore (1909–1965), politician in Alberta, Canada; Patrick Willmore (1921–1994), British seismologist; Thomas Willmore (1919–2005), English geometer; Other. There are no public roads, bridges or buildings. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts; however, it should be noted that travellers in the remote areas should have extensive outdoor experience or hire an outfitter/guide for their expedition. The Company employees included French-Iroquois Métis or mixed-bloods, like legendary Tête Jaune (Yellow Head), and his son and grandson Louis Loyer Sr. and Louis Loyer Jr. Then there were the Scots-Métis like Jacco Findlay, along with his sons Picinah and James Findlay. Extensive research and development goes into each production revealing true-to-life stories, set in the remote recesses of … For more information on the history of the families that have historic ties to Jasper National Park and Willmore Wilderness Park, check out the. But encroachment continued: William Switzer Provincial Park was created in 1958 and Willmore Wilderness Park in 1959. Ignace Wanyandie was married to a beautiful Métis woman called Marie Walker. The only mode of … The rivers and streams are crystal clear. History. The view at Sulphur Gates, Willmore Wilderness Park a short drive west of Grande Cache is just breathtaking. In 1963, and again in 1965, the park was reduced in area to its current size of 4,568 km2. Looking for a great trail in Willmore Wilderness Park, Alberta? The Willmore, an apartment building in California; Willmore Wilderness Park, Alberta, Canada; See also. Recreational activities in the park include camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and some hunting. The rivers and streams are crystal clear. The Willmore was designated a Wilderness Provincial Park in 1959 and was 5566 km2. Willmore Wilderness Park was created in 1959 outside of the parks system under separate legislation to preserve it as a hunting and trapping ground and protect it from industrial development. In the Athabasca the three Iroquois took wives of the Sekanaise tribe of the Montagnais Nation. If you’re looking for hiking, horseback riding and backcountry camping in a remote, spectacular mountain setting, Willmore Wilderness Park is for you. Willmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometres (1,800 sq mi) wilderness area adjacent to the world-famous Jasper National Park. - See 24 traveler reviews, 19 candid photos, and great deals for Grande Cache, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Kakwa Wildlands Park, Kakwa Provincial Park and Willmore Wilderness Park comprise the first interprovincial shared between Alberta and British Columbia.[4][5]. His son Jean Baptiste was born at Jasper House in 1824. Several trails cross the park (Indian Trail, Pope Thoreau Trail, Great Divide Trail), and horseback riding can be done along rivers and passes (Sulphur River, West Sulphur River, Rocky Pass, Jackknife Pass, Casket Pass, Forget-Me-Not Pass, Fetherstonhaugh Pass and Morkill Pass). The park is administered by Alberta Municipal Affairs (as Improvement District No. If you are in Hinton, take the 1.5 hour drive on scenic Highway 40 going north to Grande Cache to see this hidden gem of northern Rockies where the Smoky River and the Sulphur River meet. Copyright © Willmore Wilderness Preservation and Historical Foundation. More than 750 km of trails bisect this 4,597 km2 park, bounded on the south by Jasper National Park Willmore Wilderness Park and . Ready for some activity? The rivers and creeks are crystal clear, and fast-moving streams are a good source of drinking water. The western boundary follows the Great Continental Divide. Ancient glaciers, high mountain peaks, thick forests and raging rivers define these 4,597 square kms of untamed wilderness. Women were not recognized or honoured during this period. Written by: Ron Kelland, Historic Places Research Officer Alberta’s newest Provincial Historic Resource is the Mile 58 Forestry Cabin in the Willmore Wilderness Park. Ignace Wanyandie and Louis Karakuntie were two of the first Iroquois voyageurs that travelled west with the North West Company. The Willmore Staging Area in Rock Lake Provincial Park provides a … Willmore Wilderness Park, located in Alberta, Canada, is a 4,600 square kilometres (1,800 sq mi) wilderness area adjacent to the world-famous Jasper National Park. Looking for a great trail in Willmore Wilderness Park, Alberta? Big Hook Wilderness Camp Water Aerodrome. The Willmore was designated a Wilderness Provincial Park in 1959 and was 5566 km2. … These Iroquois families then moved to the Grande Cache area where many of their descendants remain today. Grande Cache overlooks the Smoky River, is at the northern edge of Alberta's Rockies, and serves as the gateway to the Willmore Wilderness Park. History. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Vincent (Basa) Wanyandie and his family still resided at Jasper House in 1872. The sub-alpine environment contains white spruce, lodgepole pine, balsam fir and aspen poplar. In 1963, and again in 1965, the park was reduced in area to its current size of 4,568 km 2. The Willmore Wilderness Foundation Commissioned Nona Foster to create likenesses of the voyageurs. The TripLocated in the remote northern Canadian Rockies, Willmore Wilderness Park is an ancient and rarely visited land of glaciers, peaks, forests, and rivers. [7] Coyotes, wolverines, lynx and black bears are also present in the sub-alpine region, while marmots, rock pika, ptarmigan and Rocky Mountain goats can be found in the higher alpine areas. 1.866.WILMORE or 1.866.945.6673 |, Jean Baptiste Wanyandie and Ignace Wanyandie. Other mammals commonly found here include grizzly bears, woodland caribou, elk, deer, cougars and timber wolves. This Award winning series celebrates the incredible diversity of Canada's natural environments by exploring the natural history & cultural heritage of its protected areas. There are many other creek beds entering the main one, but keep to the correct one to get in the general easterly direction to the saddle. AllTrails has 6 great hiking trails, views trails, camping trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The hamlet held town status prior to 2019. Andrew Wieler was a Willmore Wilderness Foundation Guide during the 2020 trail clearing season. Canoeing and whitewater rafting can be done on the Smoky River. Our Shoot Location: Willmore Wilderness Park. This area is now known as Willmore Wilderness Park. Willmore Wilderness Park Willmore Wilderness Park is a pristine mountainous area with rugged forest and alpine expanses. Call Us Today! - See 24 traveler reviews, 19 candid photos, and great deals for Grande Cache, Canada, at Tripadvisor. great views of town, Willmore Wilderness Park and Lightning Ridge from its summit, or leisurely rambles through its vast alpine meadows and rolling hills in the high valley behind. Access to the park is via Highway 40, through the town of Grande Cache, and the four staging areas: Sulphur Gates, Cowlick Creek, Berland River and Rock Lake. Basa and his neighbours, the Findlays, Moberlys, Joachims, Thappes and others would hunt and trap in the country to the west and north of Jasper. They followed the customary water route from Montreal to Fort Garry, now known as Winnipeg, Manitoba. We are monitoring our operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and this page is updated as adjustments are made. At 4,597 square kilometres, Willmore is the second largest park … Rocky View County is a municipal district in southern Alberta, Canada that is named for its views of the nearby Rocky Mountains to the west. Willmore Wilderness Park is a pristine mountainous area with rugged forest and alpine expanses. Our starting point was Rock Lake Provincial Park, northwest of Hinton, Alberta, while our destination was a logging road near McBride, BC. They were the sons and grandsons of the former fur trade bosses and worked as independent fur buyers. Willmore Wilderness Park is a pristine mountainous area with rugged forest and alpine expanses. There are, however, several ranger cabins in the park that are available as a courtesy to visitors. Scrip records show that Vincent (Basa) was still living in Jasper House in 1901 and in 1906 through that year’s Federal Census. Ignace and Louis were canoe and boatmen paddling up the Athabasca River, eventually settling in the mountains as horsemen and packers. Many of the park’s well-established trails follow in the historic footsteps of Aboriginal hunters, fur traders, coal miners and trappers. Academic disciplines Business Concepts Crime Culture Economy Education Energy Events Food and drink Geography Government Health Human behavior Humanities Knowledge Law Life Mind Objects Organizations People Philosophy Society Sports Universe World Arts Lists Glossaries. Willmore is a relatively unknown park situated immediately north of JNP and is one of the most remote areas of Alberta. Jacco became a North West Company employee. These images were photographed in 1872 at Jasper House and reflects the way of life in the Rockies. It is lesser known and less visited than Jasper National Park. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development website, "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)", BC Parks infopage on Kakwa Provincial Park, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Scandia Eastern Irrigation District Museum, Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site, Alberta–British Columbia foothills forests, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willmore_Wilderness_Park&oldid=998486067, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 January 2021, at 16:16. Backpackers and horseback riders seeking a true backcountry experience can explore over 750 km of trails where wildlife abounds. Documentaries feature the unique culture, history and traditions of Willmore Wilderness Park and neighbouring regions. Willmore Wilderness Park: History, Scenery and Wildlife, Willmore has it all! 16, Alberta, Canada that features a river and is rated as moderate. We were pleasantly surprised with good weather during the summer months, The park is 4,597 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, which has traditionally been hunted, trapped and accessed by horseback. The main setting is the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, north of Jasper National Park, in Alberta Canada. This removed more land. The is area is an untouched alpine frontier. Other parks surround this wilderness reserve: Kakwa Wildlands Park to the north, Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area to the west, Rock Lake Provincial Park to the south-west, Sulphur Gates Provincial Park to the west. Fishing for bull trout is only allowed in a catch and release fashion (reports of 20 lb bull trout have been caught on the upper part of the Jackpine River). He and his sons became known as Freemen, who brought vitality and a unique character to the rugged foothills. The Willmore, an apartment building in California; Willmore Wilderness Park, Alberta, Canada; See also. Current conservation-based research within Willmore includes: The Willmore Biodiversity Monitoring Project, The Alberta Experimental Wolverine Monitoring Project. The Willmore Wilderness Foundation is doing research to bring these mountain people’s stories to light. 2020 Trail Restoration Our chainsaw crew was able to make good progress on the trails that lead to the Continental Divide. Artist Nona Foster of The Indian Paint Brush created these images from composites of four generations of family likeness based on facial structure. Willmore is an untouched alpine frontier – one of the last virgin expanses on this planet earth. Share in this living history. James Findlay, pioneer explorer of Saskatchewan in the late 1700s, sired a Métis son called Jacco (Jacques). There are, however, several ranger cabins in the park that are available as a courtesy to visitors. It is lesser known and less visited than Jasper National Park. It surrounds most of Calgary, forming the city's northern boundary and most of the city's western and eastern boundaries.At a population of 39,407 in 2016, Rocky View County is the most populous municipal district in Alberta. Willmore Wilderness Park. Many of the stories that People & Peaks Productions produce are shot on location in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Louis Loyer Sr was the godfather many of the voyageurs children that were baptized by the Catholic priest. Records were kept by the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. AllTrails has 6 great hiking trails, views trails, camping trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts; however, it should be noted that Grande Cache is the gateway to Willmore Wilderness Park which comprises 4,597 square kilometres of pure, unspoiled mountain wilderness.