Helmcken Falls, located in British Columbia, Canada, is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the world. This waterfall is a sight to behold in every season, but it’s particularly remarkable in the winter when an enormous ice cone is formed at the base of the falls.
Standing at 463 feet (141 meters) tall, Helmcken Falls is the fourth highest waterfall in Canada and one of the most popular attractions in Wells Gray Provincial Park. The waterfall is named after John Sebastian Helmcken, a British Columbia physician and politician.
During the colder months, the heavy spray from the waterfall freezes and creates an enormous ice cone that can grow up to 200 feet (60 meters) tall. The best time to see the cone is between late January and late February, but visitors should be aware of the park’s safety precautions as the roads can be quite slippery due to the snow and ice.
The cone collapses inward sometime during March, but remnants of it can still be seen as late as June. This natural phenomenon is truly awe-inspiring and a testament to the power and beauty of nature.
Behind the falls, there is a bowl that recedes over 150 feet (45 meters) into the cliff and stretches over 500 feet (152 meters) wide. A 50-foot (15-meter) lower tier is located a little bit further downstream, boosting the total height of the waterfall to over 500 feet or 150 meters.
Helmcken Falls was created roughly 10,000 years ago during the last ice age when enormous floods eroded the volcanic Murtle Plateau, from where the falls drop over. The wide Clearwater River valley was filled with a huge lava deposit over 200,000 years ago, with layers of fresh lava eventually forming the plateau.
In the 1950s and 1960s, there were plans to harness the power of Helmcken Falls by building dams along the Clearwater and Murtle Rivers. However, the 1.3 million-acre Wells Gray Provincial Park area was fully protected from development in 1973, ensuring that this natural wonder would remain intact. Had the dams been built, Helmcken Falls would have been largely submerged behind a 450-foot (137-meter) dam.
Helmcken Falls is not only a natural wonder, but it also played a crucial role in the creation of Wells Gray Provincial Park. It is the most famous of the park’s seven waterfalls and was one of the reasons why the protected area was created.
The power and beauty of nature are on full display at Helmcken Falls. It is a must-see for anyone visiting British Columbia, and a reminder of the importance of protecting our natural wonders for generations to come.
