Fraser Plateau

After leaving the Monkman Park area we back tracked down Highway 97 to Bear Lake. We left the highway and headed into a maze of logging roads criss-crossing the Fraser Plateau back towards the westside of the Rockies. After a few false turns we finally crossed the Parsnip River and started up the Missinka River where the pipeline is proposed to cross over the divide and makes its way down river. After 3 hours of effort with a chainsaw cutting our way through deadfall timber across the road and crossing dubious wash outs we eventually made our way to the headwaters of the Missinka. Up to this point we encountered few painting opportunities due to the overgrown nature of the road so we were very excited when the country finally opened up and were rewarded with a great camp site and amazing alpine views.

Glenn In Action Up On the Deck, Missinka Headwaters (P.Corbett)

After a stormy evening the following day greeted us with sunshine and spectacular morning light. After knocking off a few paintings before breakfast we sat with our coffees and pondered this lovely subalpine pass and the adverse effects the pipeline would have on the area. 

Serrate Ridge, Hart Range (8x10) oil on panel. Glenn Clark

After spending the day painting in the Missinka watershed we travelled back out onto the rolling terrain of the plateau dotted by numerous swamps and wetlands. This country seemed to go on for miles with little geographic relief. With the mountains now long behind us we pointed the van west onwards to Fort St. James and the many beautiful lakes and rivers that awaited us.

Swamp Lands, Fraser Plateau (8x10) oil on panel. P. Corbett.