Tatlatui Provincial Park is a remote wilderness area situated in north central British Columbia on the easterly fringe of the Skeena Mountains and on the southerly end of the Spatsizi Plateau, a division of the Stikine Plateau. The boundary of the 105,829-hectare park completely encloses the headwaters of the Firesteel River, whose waters eventually reach the Arctic Ocean about 3,800 km away.
In June of 1824, Samuel Black and his crew arrived at Thutade Lake (pronounced Tootaddy) after a hard and dangerous journey up the Finlay River. Thutade means “long, slender lake.” The first official surveys into the area were carried out by Frank Swannell and R.G. McConnell in 1913. Many of the park place names were taken from the names of early surveyors and explorers. Lord Kitchener, a well-known British military man, was honoured after his death in 1916 by having a lake named after him. Another name was derived from Athapaskan Indian dialect.
Boreal white and black spruce trees are found at the lowest elevations in the Firesteel Valley, as are Englemann spruce – subalpine fir. The alpine tundra is comprised of frost shattered rock, scree slopes, fine soils, and large expanses of dwarfed plants. Mountain Caribou, moose, stone sheep, mountain goat, beaver, Arctic ground squirrels, grizzly bears and wolves can all be found here.
There are paddling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities in the park, and fishing for rainbow trout. Hiking and backpacking is great in the park. Trails may be followed into several areas, but are not marked or regularly maintained. It may be difficult to locate the starting point of some trails. There is a cabin available for public use located at Kitchener Lake. Wilderness, backcountry camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
A Letter of Permission is required for individuals or groups who wish to use horses within Tatlatui Provincial Park. To obtain a Letter of Permission, please contact the BC Parks Stikine Area Office at 250-771-4591.
Tatlatui Provincial Park is situated adjacent to Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park, the second largest park in British Columbia and one of the largest and most significant parks in Canada.
Tatlatui Provincial Park is located 150 miles (240 km) north of Smithers, and approximately 110 miles (180 km) southeast of the Stewart-Cassiar Highway 37 at Eddontenajon Lake. There is no road access to the park. All major lakes are accessible by float plane, but only permitted air charter companies are authorized to fly into the park. Other access alternatives would be hiking, horseback or helicopter.
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