On a typical Wildlife Tour we depart our main base camp in Bella Coola and drive East in our 4x4 Crew-cab Tour vehicles up the Valley to the base of the Hill where we turn South on the old Tote Road. The old road runs alongside the Atnarko Salmon Spawning River and offers beautiful views of the river and wildlife. From the safety of the 5 passenger Crew-cab we view the Bears and Wildlife feeding on the Salmon along the River. As well we will take short guided hikes in to natural viewpoints on the river as we slowly travel along the old Tote road.

Family of Bears on Atnarko River

We will naturally encounter many species of Wildlife and Raptors while cruising along the edge of the river and clients will have many photo opportunities. At the end of the Tote Road we park the 4x4 rigs and gear up for our Mountain Hike into Stillwater Lake. Hikers should be equipped with hiking boots with ankle support. You will need to have your own personal backpack with you as well with your own personal gear from this point on.

We cross the Hotnarko River suspension bridge and start out on the old mountain trail that leads us up the Atnarko River into Stillwater Lake. The trail crosses some steep rock slide areas and then winds its way through the valley bottom of old growth Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. It is not uncommon to see Grizzly Bears in this spawning area and we proceed cautiously while the guide points out the culturally modified cedar trees and the large grizzly tracks in the moss.

Stillwater Lake

After crossing the Atnarko river suspension bridge and viewing the fish underneath we relax for a while on the shores of Stillwater Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Lake is fairly warm in the Summer and some people like to have a swim in the Lake to cool down after the hike in. Once everyone is rested and had lunch we will board our 25 foot 10 passenger Canoe for the paddle up to the headwaters of Stillwater Lake to our Wilderness Base camp.

Our Stillwater Lake base camp can accommodate up to 8 guests at a time. We have a very nice recently finished rustic two level framed Lodge on the old Edwards Homestead at the head of Stillwater Lake. The homestead and trail network was hand built by Stanley Edwards and the hand built trail network in this wilderness area is something to behold. There is no electricity here other than a small Honda gas generator for lights and the basics. We like to keep the machinery noise at an absolute minimum so not to spook the wildlife that lives here too.

Fox & Grizzly Bear

Satellite phones are our only means of communication to the outside world. Access to this camp is only by walking in on the trail or Helicopter or Floatplane. We do have a very good supply of gravity feed creek water for drinking and bathing. No flush toilets here but we do have nice sanitary outhouses. We also have a very good supply of propane fired hot showers in the shower house that go over very well after a long day of hiking.

Wildlife including Grizzly Bears, Moose, Mountain Goat, Deer and Migratory Birds including Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese and Ducks can all be viewed from this pristine location.

The Atnarko River runs right through the property and the many different species of Trout and Salmon are easily seen in the shallow river from our canoes. The lake and river waters lend themselves perfectly to canoe use as they are shallow and not subject to any rough water making it safe and desirable for the family and kids to explore. Transport Canada Approved Lifejackets are supplied for all our guests.

From the Stillwater Base Camp we adventure out to: