Majerus Falls facts for kids
Majerus Falls is a stunning waterfall found in Wells Gray Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. It's one of seven amazing waterfalls along the Murtle River, which flows west from Murtle Lake.
Majerus Falls: A Natural Wonder
Majerus Falls is quite impressive! It stands about 12 m (39 ft) (that's about 39 feet) tall. What makes it really stand out is how wide it is – about 90 m (295 ft) (or 295 feet) across. This makes it almost as wide as another famous waterfall nearby, Dawson Falls.
Who Discovered and Named the Falls?
The first person to officially record Majerus Falls was a surveyor named Joseph Hunter. He found the falls on May 25, 1874. Joseph Hunter was working for a big project at the time: planning the route for the future Canadian Pacific Railway.
Even though he discovered the falls, Hunter didn't give them a name. However, he did name the Murtle River and Murtle Lake. He named them after his hometown in Scotland, which was called Milton of Murtle.
So, where did the name "Majerus" come from? The falls and a small lake nearby are named after Michael Majerus. He was one of the very first homesteaders in the Clearwater Valley. A homesteader is someone who settles on and farms land given by the government. Michael Majerus built a cabin by the Murtle River in 1912 and lived there until 1946.
How Can You Visit Majerus Falls?
You can reach Majerus Falls by hiking! There's a special trail that starts at the Pyramid Campground. The trail goes around Pyramid Mountain, which is a volcano. Then, it follows the north side of the Murtle River.
The hiking trail is 9.5 km (5.9 mi) (about 5.9 miles) long in each direction. You should plan to spend about 3.5 hours hiking to get to the falls. It's a great adventure for nature lovers!
