Page:The Selkirk mountains (1912).djvu/171

Rh Tillev. Route: (1) Reached from Revelstoke by following the railway track for 2 miles eastward to the log jam at the foot of the Box Canyon where the river is crossed and the ascent made directly. Time required: 7 hours; for the round excursion 14 hours. (2) The base of the mountain may be reached by taking the road south across the Illecillewaet and following the river to some suitable point. Mackenzie and its west shoulder looking like separate peaks from the valley early received the local appellation of "Twin Buttes."

First ascent: In 1886 by Messrs. J. J. McArthur and J. J. Klotz. It has several small glaciers. Mr. Klotz describes it as a very stiff climb, partly owing to devil's club on the lower slopes. He told of finding. 4,000 feet above the valley, one of those typical gladed meadows beautiful with streamlets and tarns and flowers; its spruce trees being 12 inches in diameter. The streams were clear and cold "flowing between banks lined with grass and moss." Between the peak and the shoulder of the mountain is a glacier which feeds the stream and lake below. Mr. Klotz reported many tracks of goat and caribou.

Of this mountain Mr Wheeler says: 'The altitude of the railway at the base is 1434 feet, leaving a climb of 6.630 feet to the loftiest summit, which is only 50 feet less than the height of Sir Donald above Glacier House; but it is much more tiring." View: IMt. Mackenzie commands an extensive view of the Columbia Valley north and south, of the Illecillewaet Valley east and of the Gold Range west.

Revelstoke Mt. and Park—A mountain behind the town containing the park (Victoria Park) which covers an area of some 2000 acres of alp-lands at a mean elevation of 6000 feet above sea. The groves are chiefly of spruce, hemlock, and fir: there are numerous lakes, and the mountain flowers follow each other in their season from spring till late summer. View: The view includes snow-capped mountains in every direction, and the valleys of the Columbia and Illecillewaet. Sometimes in sunny weather the visitor in the park may find himself above the clouds. An easy trail for man or horse winds gradually up the mountain. It is a favorite camping ground.

Silver Creek—Name: Local, origin unknown. Location: Joins the Illecillewaet River. 2 miles west of Albert Canyon Village. A large stream, fed by four tributaries and draining a large area, it is the principal drainage on its side of the Clach-na-coodin group of mountains. The tributary streams flow through fine, deep valleys heavily timbered on the lower slopes and with series of turfy alplands rising above towards the glacier which nourish many rivulets winding through them and feeding the streams below. The main stream is renowned locally for the number and size of its trout.

Silver Tip Falls—Location: About 8 miles from Revelstoke and reached by a wagon road through the Columbia Canyon. In places the road follows close to the torrent but 100 feet above it. They are worth a visit, especially in hot weather when the melting snow increases their volume.