We've discovered what could be Canada's most unique winter waterfall with a massive "snow crater" that is so epic it looks like it's from another planet. This stunning frozen B.C. waterfall is just one of the many reasons why we're proud to call Canada home. In the winter, Helmcken Falls gets a crown of ice around its base and we haven't seen anything like it before. Helmcken Falls is just one of 39 waterfalls inside Wells Gray Provincial Park and they're amazing to see year-round, but in the winter, some of them freeze over and take on a whole new magical glittering look. Editor's Choice: A Floating Movie Theatre Is Coming To Toronto & You Can Watch From Your Own Boat The waterfall doesn't completely freeze over and you can still feel a mist and experience a thundering roar of water. There is a viewing platform that's easy to access even if you aren't an experienced hiker. For those who want to get even closer, you can try the Helmcken Falls Rim Trail that will take you about three hours roundtrip to complete but will treat you to an incredible view. You'd only want to do the hike with the right experience and gear but even newbies can check out the waterfall from the viewing platform and see the spectacular snow crater at its base. View this post on Instagram Helmcken Falls (Winter edition) . The main reason to go back to Wells Gray was to see and photograph the Helmcken Falls snow cone. Anyone else see the face of a bear in the cone? . #kamloops #britishcolumbia #canada #northamerica #helmckenfalls #nikonca #waterfallsofcanada #wellsgrayprovincialpark #ig_captures #hellobc #explorebc #travel #travelphotography #landscape #landscapephotography #agameofthrones #bc #visualart #nature #moodygrams #ig_photooftheday #earthpix #ourplanetdaily #explorecanada #ig_photooftheday #landscapesofcanada #canadawonderland #thompsonriver #bcisbeautiful #britishcolumbialife #WildWellsGray A post shared by Shaun Quilter (@shaunquilterphotography) on Mar 4, 2019 at 10:13pm PST As far as frozen waterfalls in B.C. go, this is probably the most spectacular place to check them out. Wells Gray Park is like B.C.'s own version of Maligne Canyon because there are so many falls to experience in one park. View this post on Instagram This is Helmcken Falls, the fourth largest waterfall in Canada and just one of the showstoppers in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Those trees at the top? Full grown trees. That cone at the bottom is formed by freezing mist. This park is popular in the summer but fewer make the trip to appreciate it when it goes icy. I’ve learned so much about nature in winter on this trip (including how to dress warmly for it) and I’m so glad it was beautiful British Columbia that taught me to face the snow. And that it’s only a short distance for me to come back. ❤️ #sonya6000 #sonyalpha6000 #sonyalpha A post shared by Colleen Stinchcombe (@callielion) on Feb 22, 2019 at 7:57pm PST The park is about a six-hour drive from Vancouver and you can stay in the town of Clearwater overnight or for the weekend as at a basecamp to explore Wells Gray Park. View this post on Instagram Taken a couple years ago, this was an extraordinary trip to the bottom of Helmken Falls in Wells Grey Provincial Park. Note: I hired a professional mountain guide to assist getting here. It involved negotiating a 100 ft ice wall and deep crevasses to get here.. so not something you can just hike to! A post shared by Chris Collacott (@avisionphotography) on Dec 12, 2018 at 10:01am PST A trip to Helmcken Falls would be an incredible trip from Vancouver to do this winter. If you are driving, make sure you stay safe on the highways and have appropriate winter tires. Helmcken Falls Price: Free Address: Wells Gray Provincial Park, 416 Eden Rd., Clearwater, BC Why You Need To Go: Road trip to this incredible park with 39 waterfalls and see the magical snow crater that forms during the winter. Website We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.
