SOUTHERN CHILCOTIN MOUNTAINS

Being diverse in its terrain and ecosystems, the Southern Chilcotin Mountains (SCM) harbors a wide variety of flora and fauna. Such bio-diversity is what attracts many to these mountains and is a pleasure to experience.

FLORA

Coniferous forests prevail here, blending from mixed fir and pine in the lower elevations to spruce and fir in the upper elevations of the South Chilcotins. Unique low to mid-elevation aspen meadows support the multitude of wildflowers for which the Southern Chilcotin Mountains is renowned. Near treeline (at about 2000m elevation) and above, vast alpine meadows can also be found. Significant wetland areas provide aquatic ecosystems, usually at mid elevations. In general, the flora and fauna here are a mix of that found in BC’s coastal and interior regions.

High alpine meadows of ‘Little Graveyard Creek’ valley with Dil-Dil Plateau and ‘Ram Mtn’ in background	Aspen set amongst pine grass along the Tyaughton Creek Trail
The aspen meadows along the Relay Creek Road in autumn are spectacular	Arrow-leaved balsamroot in full bloom along Gun Creek Trail

Trees & Shrubs

Impressive old growth trees are also featured in the South Chilcotins. Trail Ventures BC has found birch, Douglas-fir, whitebark pine, and spruce giants throughout the area. Finding them, sometimes, is as easy as following the trail – you can’t miss them!

Old growth Douglas-firs adorn the North Cinnabar Creek Trail	Juniper is common to lower elevations of the South Chilcotins
Old growth Whitebark pine are common to higher elevation forest of the South Chilcotins	Plump and juicy blueberries along the lower sections of North Cinnabar Creek, High, Lick and B+F Trails are an important source of food for bears in July/August

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are the jewel in the South Chilcotin Mountain's crown. Here, the wide variety of flowers is as impressive as their abundance. Vast meadows of ever changing combinations can be found from low elevation to alpine areas. Many of the trails pass through such florid areas.

Wildflowers along the Upper Grasslands Trail (Spruce Lake area)	Alpine meadow in the North Cinnabar Creek basin in August
Pink monkey-flower along the Taylor-Pearson Trail	White mountain-avens at Lorna Pass

Fringed grass-of-Parnassus in the Paradise Creek valley	Upland larkspur along the Tyaughton Creek Trail
Yellow salsify along the lower Relay Creek Trail	Tiger lily in meadows along the lower Gun Creek Trail

For more pictures of wildflowers click here.

Mushrooms

A wide variety of mushrooms subsists amongst the valleys of the Southern Chilcotin Mountains.

Oversized puffballs can be found sometimes at high elevation in the South Chilcotin Mountains	Bluish Tooth along the Paradise Creek Trail
Red-capped Scaber Stalk in volcanic ash near Plateau Ponds	Black Morel along Tyaughton Creek Trail

As a testament to its biodiversity and biotic importance, the Vancouver Natural History Society (VNHS) has held various summer camps in the South Chilcotin Mountains studying its plants, fungi and animals. Click here to view a VNHS report on identified plant and animal species in the South Chilcotins on the VNHS website.

Click here to see a list of selected trees, shrubs, wildflowers and mushrooms identified by Trail Ventures BC in the Southern Chilcotin Mountains.




FAUNA

Insects

Many different kinds of beautiful butterflies and moths grace the South Chilcotins. The delightful mix varies from spring to fall. Trail Ventures BC has identified at least 10 different species of butterflies and we have noted that many more species of moths flutter about in co-existence. Several types of beetles, wasps, ants, bees, flies, grasshoppers, millipedes, centipedes, dragonflies also inhabit these mountains and valleys. The buzzing of cicadas is commonly heard amongst the tree branches in Gun Creek and Tyaughton Creek valleys in summer. We once found an impressive cave cricket under our backpack one morning in upper Manson Creek – these creatures love a dark and moist hangout. Within the wetlands thrive a variety of aquatic insects and larvae – Slim Creek, Grant Creek, Tosh Creek, Big Creek and Lone Valley Creek valleys are excellent places to check them out.

Cicada of Okanagana genus (species?) Gun Creek Trail (mid valley)	A dark and dampness seeking Cave Cricket in upper Manson Creek
This weevil (name?) was found in the lower Gun Creek valley
Phoebus butterfly in the high alpine meadows	Fritillary butterfly (species?) in Lone Valley meadows
Painted Lady butterflies do not migrate S in the fall and usually die by winter	Mourning Cloaks are common to the Southern Chilcotin Mountains

Common Alpine ssp. epipsode along Lower Tyaughton Hiker's Trail in June	Greenish Blue spp. amica along Lower Tyaughton Hiker's Trail in June
Satyr Anglewing (?) along Lower Tyaughton Hiker's Trail in June	Western Checkerspot feeding on Western Groundsel
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail along Lower Tyaughton Hiker's Trail in June	Butterfly (species ?) along Lower Tyaughton Hiker's Trail in June
Tachinid fly (species?) at 2500m elevation	Dwarf grasshopper in Gun Creek meadows

Blood sucking insects include no-see-ums, mosquitoes, blackflies, deerflies, with horseflies rounding out the mix. Basically, this combination is not usual for BC’s backcountry – even Vancouver’s north shore can have an equal bug factor. A few ticks reside within the very lowest elevations in early summer.

Yellow jackets can be found here, usually nesting near or under ground. Some years are worse than others - 2005 was a particularly bad year. Watch out for these bees when walking the trails in late summer/fall. If your horse ride turns into a rodeo show you may have just rode over a nest! Hold on tight!

Bee/wasp (name?) on mountain top

Our upcoming guidebook of the Southern Chilcotin Mountains will provide insight to help you actually minimize the bug factor for this area through simple prevention and timing measures.

Spiders & Mites

Though not obvious, the South Chilcotins has its fair share of spiders - so look out! In wooded areas, you may walk through many webs along the trail but you will likely never see the culprits. In the grassy meadows your chances of a good viewing are better. However, arachniphobes need not worry!

Ground dwelling spider (name?) in alpine meadows	Spider mite in the Spruce Lake area

Gastropods

Some slugs are found in the South Chilcotin Mountains. Evidence of more prolific fresh water snail occurence can be found in some ponds.

The remains of various subspecies of fresh water snails near Pearson Pond

Amphibians

Frogs and toads are common in the Southern Chilcotin Mountains. Large, bumpy skinned Western Toads can be found wandering about in some damp alpine areas to 2250m elevation! They also tend to burrow and hibernate underground. A declining population has made BC the centre of the worlds distribution of Western Toads and indications show their numbers to be declining in SW BC. Red-legged Frogs and Columbia Spotted Frogs also inhabit this area. The population of Red-legged Frogs is declining and is of higher concern than the Western Toad.

A Columbia Spotted Frog with few spots in the wetlands along the Slim Creek Trail	A happy looking Western Toad in the high alpine of the Tosh Creek valley

Birds

Many species of birds make the South Chilcotin their home including eagles, owls, ravens, jays, Clark’s Nutcracker, woodpeckers, falcons, loons, ptarmigan and grouse. Interestingly enough, the symbiotic relationship between the noisy Clark’s Nutcracker and the whitebark pine is what allows this fine tree to exist. Without the help of these birds and squirrels, the tough and unopening cones of the whitebark pine would not release many seeds. Other bird species identified here include hummingbirds, chickadees, warblers, sparrows and finch. The VNHS identified 49 species of birds over a period of 2 weeks in 2001 in upper Pearson basin (sometimes referred to as Cinnabar basin).

Spruce Grouse are common to the forests of the South Chilcotin Mountains	Rock Ptarmigans can be found in the high alpine areas of the South Chilcotins
Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch in lowland forest	Greater Yellowlegs skimming the ponds of upper Pearson basin

Mammals

Mammal viewing within the South Chilcotin Mountains draws many visitors to this region. Some packhorse tours are offered especially for this purpose. So it suffices to say that substantial mammal life exists here. The bigger attractions include Grizzly Bear, Moose, Mountain Goat, Grey Wolf and Bighorn Sheep. Much more common are timid Mule Deer, whistling Hoary Marmots and cheeky Douglas's Squirrels. Other mammals include Black Bear, Mountain Lion, lynx, bobcat, wolverine, porcupine, weasel, martin, and fox. Several species of shrews, voles and bats also inhabit the South Chilcotins.

The Southern Chilcotin Mountains provides prime grizzly habitat so encounters with grizzly are possible. Practice bear avoidance measures: be aware of your surroundings, frequently make your presence known, hang your food, keep a clean camp, and carry bear spray. For more info regarding bear avoidance and encounters, visit www.wspa.ca.

A herd of Mountain Goats foraging along the Eldorado-Gun divide	Grizzly bear track along the Castle Pass Trail

Moose in the Slim Creek drainage	Hoary Marmot in upper Taylor basin

Mule Deer are common to the South Chilcotin Mountains	Porcupine climbing in the high alpine slopes within the Paradise Creek drainage

American Beaver active in winter along the Bridge River	Often heard but rarely seen - the American Pika is well suited to talus slopes which are prevalent in the South Chilcotins

To see a list of selected animals and butterflies Trail Ventures BC has identified in the South Chilcotins from 2002-2006, click here.

REFERENCES USED IN IDENTIFICATIONS

Flora

- Brayshaw, T. Christopher Trees and Shrubs of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook. 1996

- Farrar, John Laird Trees of Canada. 1995

- Little, Elbert National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. 1980

- Parish, Coupe, Lloyd Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia. 1996

- Pojar, Mackinnon Plants of Coastal British Columbia. 1994

Fauna/ Fungi

- Acorn, John, and Sheldon, Ian Bugs of British Columbia. 2001

- Eder, Tamara and Pattie Mammals of British Columbia. 2001

- Lincoff, Gary National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. 1981

- McGavin, George C The Pocket Guide to Insects of the Northern Hemisphere. 1998

- Milne, Lorus and Milne, Margery National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. 1980

- Udvardy, Miklos D.F. Revised by John Farrand, Jr. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. 1994