History
Traditionally used by the Sekani and Beaver first nations. During the late 1700’s European fur trappers, traders, and explorers moved into and through the area. Fur trading posts were established in the surrounding area at Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope and Fort Nelson. With the development of the Alaska Highway in 1946, improved access encouraged the development of forestry and gas exploration. Road development further facilitated use by the public who sought out the unique opportunity to view the diverse wildlife species found in the area. In 1997 the Fort St. John Land and Resource Management Plan recommended the area for protection; it was subsequently designated as a provincial park in 1999.
Cultural Heritage
Pink Mountain Park overlaps with traditional use areas of the Sekani and Beaver cultures of the Halfway River and Prophet River First Nations.
Conservation
Pink Mountain Provincial Park is located in the Muskwa Foothills eco-section. This area represents a part of the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The subalpine zone, located at 1100 to 1550 m elevation consists primarily of black and white spruce, lodgepole pine, willow and birch. Above 1550 m, the area consists of alpine tundra vegetation. The vegetation consists of shrubs, herbs, mosses and lichens which all contribute to support the significant diversity of wildlife species.
Wildlife
Pink Mountain protects important habitat for numerous large herbivores such as caribou, elk and moose. Plains bison, a relative new comer to the area, was introduced in 1968 and has since thrived. Keep an eye out for them while traveling to the park. The area is also internationally recognized for its arctic butterflies, which are at their southern most limits of distribution. Other significant species found within the park and surrounding area include grizzly and black bear, lynx, fisher, and wolverine.