VN #063: Helmcken Falls
Posted February 16, 2025

Helmcken Falls

Peaking around 10,000,000 years ago, 150-200 local vents poured many layers of lava over central British Columbia. Local variations with distinctly features include the Wells Gray-Clearwater Volcanic Field. Here, in Wells Gray Provincial Park is where we find Helmken Falls.

I had never visited this park until recently when I was photographing for my book Motherstone; a natural history book of BC’s central plateau. Helmken Falls is easily accessible year-round and is spectacular.

Once all of the summer’s 150,000 visitors have left, Helmken Falls forms a dazzling, wintery volcano…..

…..a volcano in reverse!

During the temperature differentials of spring and fall, mist magnificently fills the volcanic cavity.

Flows of water, time, and stone

Everywhere, water follows ancient paths of energy. As the Earth stresses and fractures below the surface, water factures the openings, carrying rocks, gravel, and silt to the ocean.

Layers of crystalized basalt lava are beautifully revealed after millennia of erosion.

 

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