Cascade Recreation Area

History

The Cascade Recreation Area was established in 1987. The decision to create this recreation area was made after considerable public discussion and debate, first through the Cascade Wilderness Study and finally by the Wilderness Advisory Committee. As a result of the recommendation from the Protected Areas Strategy Table for the Lower Mainland Region, the Snass River drainage portion was given Class A park status and added to E.C. Manning Provincial Park in 1999.

Historic trails are a feature of the area. Blackeye’s Trail travels from present-day Princeton, through the Tulameen Valley to the Cascade Rec. Area and into the Nicolum Creek Valley to Hope. The Dewdney, Whatcom and Hope Pass trails were built in 1800s by men trying to find a passable route through the inhospitable Cascade Mountains. These trails served as the major route of commerce between the coast and interior until the early 1900s and are of provincial significance.

Cultural Heritage

There are pictographs from First Nations, Upper Similkameen and Sto: Lo, settlements within the Recreation Area. The Hudson’s Bay Trail was developed following Blackeye’s Trail giving access from Fort Kamloops to Fort Hope. There are three historically significant Hudson’s Bay Company Trail campsites within the recreation area.

On January 31, 1996, the Dewdney Trail between Hwy #3 at Snass Creek and the Height of land between Hubbard Creek & Granite Creek, through E.C. Manning Provincial Park and the Cascade Recreation area was designated as a Provincial Heritage Site.

Conservation

The Cascade Recreation Area preserves a representative portion of the Leeward Pacific Ranges Ecosection and a large portion of the Hozameen Range ecosection. The area plays an important role in protecting the headwaters of the Similkameen, Skagit and Tulameen river systems. There are old growth ecosystems and wetlands in the area which provides Rocky Mountain elk seasonal habitat. Many species are found in the transition between Coastal and Interior biogeoclimatic zones, including the Woody-branched rockcress, a blue listed plant. The area is also part of the North Cascade Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan. Flowers, trees and shrubs are part of the park's natural heritage, please don't damage or remove them.

Wildlife

Among wildlife seen in the area are four blue listed mammals: Fisher, Wolverine, Golden Mantled ground squirrel and Grizzly bear. Three red listed species are also found in the area; Mountain beaver, Pika, and Spotted owl. Park users should always be aware of bears and other wildlife in our park environment. Never feed or approach bears or other wildlife.

Wood ticks are most prevalent between March and June. These parasites live in tall grass and low shrubs, and seek out warm-blooded hosts. As potential carriers of disease, they should be avoided. Protect your legs by wearing gaiters, or pants tucked into socks. After any outdoor activities, thoroughly examine yourself, children and pets. If you find a tick embedded in your skin, the best way to remove it is by grasping and pulling it, gently, straight up and out with a small pair of tweezers, and disinfecting the site with rubbing alcohol. You may wish to save the tick in a small plastic or glass container for later inspection by your doctor especially if a fever develops, or the area around the bite appears to be infected.