Beaver Lake Interpretive Trail
The Beaver Lake Trail passes through a maturing rain forest in the interior
Cedar/Hemlock biogeoclimactic zone. This extremely productive forest consists of
a wide variety of trees and other plants. Much of what you see is second growth
in a state of development and transition.
Forests are more than trees. They contain whole ecosystems of their own,
including lakes. Lake ecology is unique and fragile. Certain plants and animals
that live in Beaver Lake are found nowhere else in the forest. Other wildlife
such insects, bats and certain birds live on the margin of lake and forest
in the riparian zone. Enjoy fishing? Beaver Lake is a poplar Rainbow trout
fishing spot.
What made this possible of course are beavers. Many years ago beavers chewed
down trees from the forest to create a dam. Where once a babbling brook flowed ,
an intricate aquatic ecosystem has developed. Slowly, through succession
the forest is reclaiming Beaver Lake. Water lilies, sedges and cattails are
plants in the early stages of the step-by-step evolution (succession) from lake,
to fenn, to forest.
This map contains clickable hot-spots (numbered areas in circles) that will
help identify some of the key features along this interpretive trail. As you
move along the trail, imagine how this forest will look in another hundred years.
1) A Living, Changing, Diverse Forest
Slowly turn and note the variety of ferns, flowers, shrubs and trees visible from where you stand. Differences in leaves, stems bark, cones, fruits and flowers reveal a rich diversity of plants.
2) Life and Death in the Forest
Mossy and rotting stumps remain from logging operations -- charred snags from fire.
Woodpeckers drilled holes to catch insects invading the trees. Diseases such as white pine blister rust discolour and kill certain trees.Mosses, fungus and bacteria eventually decompose dead trees adding nutrients to the soil.
Look closely and you may see cones and seeds scattered on the ground. These
will give new life. Life and death are constant companions in a healthy forest.
Reflect for a moment on these wonderful balances in nature.
3) Historic Logging Activity
The remains of a horse shelter used in selectively logging this area in the 1920s - 30s is also being reclaimed by the forest floor. Natural ecosystems have been changed around Beaver Lake by logging since the early 1900s. Giant cedars and
hemlock were harvested for shingles, shakes, railway ties, building supplies and export.
4) Forests are Home to a Variety of Wildlife
These pileated woodpecker holes on the cedar are evidence of wildlife -- both
the small insects and bird after its food. This forest is rich in wildlife but
you will be lucky to see any as they are hard to spot.
Close your eyes and listen carefully for a few moments. A number of birds
live here including pileated woodpecker, northern goshawk, nuthatch and junco.
5) More Signs of Wildlife
Look for tracks in the mud. Tracks of mule deer, white tail deer, some
moose, occasionally caribou, black bear and coyote can sometimes be seen. Again,
evidence of animal habitation.
The rich , wet soils around this stream bed allow for a different forest
ecology with ferns and skunk cabbage. Bears enjoy the skunk cabbage in the
spring and turn to berries in the summer. Moose munch on willows and red osier
dogwood while deer prefer buckbrush, especially in the winter.
6) Energy from the Forest & The Forest Restores
Itself
What happened here? This area was cleared for a hydro-electric cutline which
supplies electricity produced at the Revelstoke Dam to thousands of homes and
businesses in other areas. Alder is growing where the original vegetation was
removed. Alder is very important in forest succession. Its roots fertilize the
soil by 'fixing' nitrogen. It quickly grows in areas opened by fire, avalanches,
cutlines and cutblocks but does not survive long and is replaced by other
species.
Notice that this interesting plant has both fleshy leaves and cones.
7) A Forest Returns After Timber Harvesting
You are surrounded by a cutblock that was logged in 1976. a heavy stand of
Douglas fir has naturally regenerated and will need to be thinned out prior to
timber harvesting in the future. whether this area is harvested again will
depend on the integrated resource plan that will be developed by the forest
service to determine this zone's bet use.
8) Scenic Views Make us Feel Good
Hiking to this viewpoint is a reward. Our spirits are renewed by the beauty
of the forest -- away from human development with its hustle and bustle
'busyness'. You are in the Monashee (Gaelic for mountains of peace) Mountain
Group of the Columbia Mountain Range.
Straight ahead is Mount MacPherson. a sharp eye can see a variety of cleared
areas including avalanche chutes, lightning caused burns, fireguard trails and
two cutblocks. Below is Beaver Lake; its floating mats of vegetation and beaver
dam are quite obvious. Pause for a moment and consider the many examples of
natural regeneration around Beaver Laek.
9) Important Deer Winter Range
Buckbrush (Ceonathus spp) with its glossy evergreen leaves sustains deer
during the winter months.
10) Tough to Spot
It's hard to believe that logging took place here only a few years ago. This
brow was used to ease the loading of logs onto truck. succession takes place
quickly in the rainforest.
11) Water, the Great Connector
This small creek drains from Beaver Lake and eventually empties into the
Columbia River. Water is the great connector through mountainsides and forests.
special care must always be taken to minimize water disturbance. fingerlings use
small pools. Can you see any?
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