Horseshoe Falls (British Columbia) facts for kids
Horseshoe Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. It's one of seven waterfalls you can find along the Murtle River, which flows west from Murtle Lake. This amazing waterfall has two main parts, or "steps," that are about 100 meters (328 feet) apart. The first drop is about 6 meters (20 feet) high, and the second, wider drop is about 10 meters (33 feet) high.
Contents
Discovering Horseshoe Falls
Have you ever wondered how places get their names? Horseshoe Falls has an interesting story!
Early Explorers and Surveyors
The waterfall was first found on May 26, 1874, by a man named Joseph Hunter. He was a surveyor, which means he measured and mapped land. At the time, he was working for the company that would later build the Canadian Pacific Railway, a very important train line across Canada.
Joseph Hunter didn't name Horseshoe Falls itself. But he did name the Murtle River and Murtle Lake. He named them after his hometown in Scotland, called Milton of Murtle.
How Horseshoe Falls Got Its Name
Horseshoe Falls got its name much later, in 1914. Another land surveyor, Robert Henry Lee, was mapping the area. He was drawing maps for homesteaders, who were people settling on new land to build farms and homes. Robert Lee noticed the shape of the falls and named it Horseshoe Falls. He even marked a "raft crossing" on his map, because the river is quite calm between Horseshoe Falls and another waterfall called Meadow Falls, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) upstream.
Visiting Horseshoe Falls
If you love hiking and exploring nature, Horseshoe Falls is a great place to visit!
The Hiking Trail to the Falls
You can reach Horseshoe Falls by taking a hiking trail that's about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) long. The trail starts from Pyramid Campground, which is located on Clearwater Valley Road.
As you hike, you'll pass by some cool natural features. You'll see Pyramid Mountain, which is a volcano! You'll also go past Majerus Falls before finally arriving at the impressive Horseshoe Falls. It's a fantastic adventure for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
