Goldstream Provincial Park

Mount Finlayson

Goldstream Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is known for the annual fall salmon runs in the Goldstream River, and the large numbers of bald eagles that congregate to feed at that time. The total size of the park is 3.79 square kilometres. It is located in the city of Langford, British Columbia.[1]

Huge trees stand on the Goldstream River floodplain. Among them are Douglas-fir and western red cedar up to 600 years old. They tower over substantial specimens of western hemlock, black cottonwood, bigleaf maple and red alder, which in turn shade western yew. Steep ridges—home to arbutus, western flowering dogwood and lodgepole pine—overlook the floodplain. Many wildflowers are seen during spring and summer.

Goldstream Park has several hiking trails, one of which offers access to Mount Finlayson.

Goldstream Nature House

Goldstream Nature House is a nature centre located in the park and operated by RLC Enterprize. The centre features natural history displays and offers seasonal environmental education programs for school groups and the general public.

Goldstream Provincial Park panorama


Power Generation

At the turn of the century, the Lubbe Hydroelectric Plant was operated near Goldstream and created electricity by running high pressure water flowing through a turbine. A powerline then ran 12 miles (19 km) into Victoria and provided electricity to power the streetcars of the day. The plant still exists but is inaccessible to the public.

Railway Trestle

There is a railway trestle bordering the park on the west side of the highway. The trestle is clearly indicated on the park map past the westernmost tip of the 'Gold Mine Trail'. The hike affords spectacular views of Mount Finlayson to the east; however, the trestle itself is reportedly part of an active rail line. While the trestle is noted on the map, it is not considered a part of the park's official trail system.[2]

Although labelled as the "Goldstream Trestle" on the park map, it is actually a cantilever style bridge, not a trestle.

Goldstream Gold Rush

In 1863, rumours of gold in Goldstream drove a short, but intense, gold rush in the region.[3] The remnants of the gold rush can be seen in the abandoned mine entrances located along the park's hiking trails.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Goldstream Park". BC Geographical Names.
  2. ↑ Distraught male on Goldstream park trestle safe Goldstream News Gazette, Aug 20, 2014 http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/272048651.html
  3. ↑ The golden rule of Goldstream: There is no gold Goldstream News Gazette, Apr 26, 2012 http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/news/149112835.html

External links

Coordinates: 48°28′00″N 123°33′00″W / 48.46667°N 123.55000°W / 48.46667; -123.55000


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