Raft Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raft Mountain |
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West ridge of Raft Mountain with Trophy Mountain in distance
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,450 m (8,038 ft) |
| Prominence | 585 m (1,919 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Raft Mountain
Location in British Columbia
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| Parent range | Shuswap Highland |
| Topo map | 82M/12 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Pyramidal peak |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Via south slopes and West Ridge |
Raft Mountain is a cool mountain located in east-central British Columbia, Canada. It's found just outside the southern edge of Wells Gray Provincial Park, near the town of Clearwater. The Clearwater River flows to its west, and the Raft River is to its east. This mountain is part of the Shuswap Highland mountain range.
Raft Mountain actually has five different peaks, and the tallest one reaches a height of 2,450 m (8,038 ft). The Trophy Mountain peak is the closest one to the north.
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How to Get to Raft Mountain
You can reach the south side of Raft Mountain using the Raft River Forest Service Road. This road, and other industrial roads, help people get closer to the mountain. It's a good idea to check ahead for any logging work happening there. Some parts of this road need a four-wheel-drive vehicle because they can be rough. The road goes for about 22 km (13.7 mi), ending at an elevation of 1,865 m (6,119 ft).
From the end of the road, it takes about 2.5 hours to hike up through meadows to the west ridge and then to the very top. If you're up for a longer adventure, you can spend a whole day hiking across all five of Raft Mountain's summits!
Reaching the North Side
The north side of Raft Mountain can be reached using Spahats Creek Road. This road turns east off Clearwater Valley Road, which is also known as Wells Gray Park Road. You'll need a vehicle with good ground clearance, but not necessarily a four-wheel-drive. A rough trail leads from a pass into Caligata Lake Provincial Park, which is below the mountain's north face. From the lake, you can find a hiking path that goes into a special area called the Cirque of Tarns. From there, you can climb up to Raft's east ridge and its third summit.
For detailed directions on both routes, you can look for the book Exploring Wells Gray Park (6th edition).
Winter Fun on Raft Mountain
Raft Mountain is also a great place for winter activities!
- Cross-country skiing: There are special trails on the lower parts of the mountain that are kept in good condition by the Wells Gray Outdoors Club.
- Snowmobiling: The Clearwater Sno-Drifters Club takes care of a network of snowmobile trails on Raft Mountain. They even have two warming huts near the treeline, which is super helpful when it's cold!
How Raft Mountain Got Its Name
Raft Mountain got its name in 1862 from a group of explorers called the Overlanders. They were on their way to the Cariboo Gold Rush, hoping to find gold. They traveled down the North Thompson River on rafts.
When they reached where the Clearwater River flows into the North Thompson, they saw this tall, noticeable mountain. They decided to name it Raft Mountain to remember their journey by raft. They also named the Clearwater River because its water was so clear, especially compared to the muddy North Thompson and the nearby Raft River.
