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Pelham Range

The Pelham Range is a 52 square kilometres (20 sq miles) small hill range located in the northeast of the Sarita community between Alberni Inlet and the Sarita River. Sarita River watershed includes parcels of the Pelham Range, which is adjacent to the Alberni Inlet. The watershed includes Sarita Lake Fredrick Creek, Sabrina Creek, and several smaller tributaries that drain Sarita Lake.
The Pelham Range is a paradise for mountaineers seeking an isolated area and seclusion. They can spend some days camping in peace on lakes or through the wilderness. Paddling and fishing a whole day in the calm waters with a pleasant ambiance ornamented by colourful birds are among other options.
Visitors would have a perfect time walking through the forest around gorgeous creeks and lakes and visiting the spectacular series of Sarita Falls surrounded by rainforest.
Climbing the mountains would be fascinating, passing through hills covered with beautiful trees.
The Pelham Range area experience heavy rainfalls and mild temperatures, which result in the rainforest. Due to the area's exposure to heavy winds with low elevations and sunny summers, sturdy and large Sitka spruce, red-cedar and hemlock are abundant.
Many wildlife and birds exist in the area, such as cougar, black bear, and Roosevelt elk. At the west coast and nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, whales, grey whales, seals, and stellar sea lions are copious.
The Pelham Range offers a memorable experience steeped in history and nature. The Sarita River watershed lands, which include most parcels of the Pelham Range, are owned by Huu-ay-aht First Nation and other private lands as Crown Land by Island Timberlands.


Pelham Range Location

The Pelham Range is located on the west side of Vancouver Island between Alberni Inlet and Sarita River parcels within the Sarita River watershed. The range is northeast of the Sarita community adjacent to the Alberni Inlet, with several creeks and lakes within and nearby.
The Sarita River watershed consists of Sabrina Creek, Fredrick Creek, South Sarita River, and smaller tributaries draining to Sarita Lake as Miller, Thompson, Central, and Hunter Creeks. The lakes within the watershed are Sarita Lake at the watershed's center; Bewlay Lake drains to Sarita Lake and Fredrick Lake in the lower part of the watershed.
While visiting the Pelham Range, a series of spectacular waterfalls with 12 m (40 ft.) to 18 m (60 ft.) drops are located near the river. They offer perfect paddling with a stunning atmosphere and temperate forest surroundings.
Fish species such as trout, Coho, chinook, chum salmon, cutthroat, and steelhead are abundant in the watershed creeks and lakes, giving perfect fishing opportunities.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is located 22 km (13.6 miles) west of the Pelham Range, which protects gnarled red-cedar, Sitka, and hemlock trees. It would be fun visiting bountiful species of wildlife, birds, and marine creatures.
Should you have time, check out Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park 35 km (21.7 miles) southeast of the Pelham Range, and enjoy several hiking trails garnished with bountiful wildlife and colourful birds inducing a sense of freshness. You can even have a serene time camping in the wilderness.
Bamfield is the nearest community to the Pelham Range.


How to Get to the Pelham Range by Car

From Nanaimo:
Getting to the Pelham Range from Nanaimo is via BC-19 N. It is a 153 km (95 miles) route and takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Take BC-19 N and BC-4 W to Franklin River Rd for 87.1 km (54.1 miles). Continue on Franklin River Rd and drive 66.1 km (41 miles) to your destination in Alberni-Clayoquot A.

From Victoria:
The fastest route to get to the Pelham Range from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is a 193 km (119.9 miles) route and takes almost 3 hours and 28 minutes.
Take Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N, Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W and Youbou Rd to N Shore Rd in Cowichan Valley I and drive 125 km (77.6 miles). Continue N Shore Rd for 67.6 km (42 miles) to your destination in Alberni-Clayoquot A.


The Hike to Get to the Pelham Range

Hikers would experience a perfect stroll along the west coast of Vancouver Island through the "West Coast Trail." The point-to-point 75.3 km (46.7 miles) trail is heavily trafficked out. It offers excellent hiking through the pleasant ambiance of moderate rainforest packed with wildlife and colourful birds. The West Coast Trail is used for backpacking, hiking, and camping and is rated as difficult gaining an elevation of 1822 m (5977 ft.). The best time to hike the trail is from May through September.


History of the Pelham Range

Pelham Range area is home to the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht. These people's legends and culture are rooted in the mountains and lakes within the Pelham Range and areas around.


Things to do around Pelham Range Area

While visiting the Pelham Range, you would be fascinated by incredible mountains. They have a beautiful vista overlooking the Alberni Inlet and gnarled trees wrapping the hills of surrounding mountains.
Mountaineers will experience excellent climbing the range's mountains and hiking through the temperate rainforest, passing the lakes and tarns.
Chances for paddling and fishing of various types exist in the crystal clear waters and pleasant environment of the lakes and creeks within and around the Pelham Range.
You can pitch a camp in the area and enjoy a backcountry camping day or at Poett Nook Marina and Campground. Suit up watching storms crashing on the rocks at the west coast sandy beaches and have fun seeing lots of marine creatures.

List of Mountain Ranges Near Pelham Range

Somerset Range

Somerset Range

Pelham Range

Pelham Range

Pelham Range Activities

Fishing

There are opportunities for perfect fishing as slum salmon, coho, chinook, Dolly Varden, kokanee, cutthroat, rainbow trout, and steelhead. Lakes and creeks within the Pelham Range and Sarita River, as well as throughout the watershed, are perfect spots.

Climbing

Pelham Range mountains offer enriching mountain climbing. The mountain peaks overlooking the Alberni Inlet have a beautiful vista of hills covered with trees below your feet and snow-capped mountains surrounding.

Camping

Camping would be great in the wilderness on lakesides, near Bamfield campgrounds or throughout the West Coast Trail.

Hiking

The beautiful atmosphere of the Pelham Range along the lakes and tarns through the stunning temperate rainforest is charming.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Chances for excellent kayaking and canoeing exist in the Sarita River watershed and Sarita River waters of the waterfalls.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Pelham Range

Barkley Sound Whale Watching

Barkley Sound Whale Watching

Bamfield Whale Watching

Bamfield Whale Watching

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Broken Group Islands Kayaking and Canoeing

Broken Group Islands Kayaking and Canoeing

Barkley Sound Kayaking

Barkley Sound Kayaking

Camping in Pachena Bay Campground

Camping in Pachena Bay Campground

Wya Point Camping

Wya Point Camping

Wild Pacific Trail Storm Watching

Wild Pacific Trail Storm Watching

Kwisitis Visitor Centre Storm Watching

Kwisitis Visitor Centre Storm Watching

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Pelham Range Outline

Specifications

Peaks and Heights

Climate

Timing

Get There



1. Temperatures are estimated on average and related to the community of Bamfield.


What you Can Expect to See Near Pelham Range

Bamfield

Bamfield

Cape Beale Lighthouse

Cape Beale Lighthouse

Wickaninnish Beach

Wickaninnish Beach

Tofino

Tofino

Somerset Range

Somerset Range

Sarita Falls

Sarita Falls

Nitinat Caves

Nitinat Caves

Pelham Range

Pelham Range

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Nitinat Lake

Nitinat Lake

Amphitrite Point Lighthouse

Amphitrite Point Lighthouse

Planning for the Pelham Range

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing


1. Distances are measured by driving routes from the Pelham Range.
1. Distances are from the Pelham Range.

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