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Fossli Provincial
Park is situated on the south side of the Stirling Arm of Sproat
Lake, west of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. The undeveloped
park has a beautiful 2.5-km walking trail that leads through
second-growth forest to an old homestead site on Sproat Lake. At
the lake, visitors can relax on the level grassy area or pebble
beach and enjoy the lovely views of Sproat Lake.
The 130 acres
that make up Fossli Provincial Park were donated to the province
for parkland by Helen and Armour Ford. Helen Ford had inherited
the property from her father, who in turn had purchased it from
an early settler, Mr. Faber. Mr. Faber had named the area Fossli
after a village in Eidfjord, Norway – fossil or fosseli is a Norwegian
word meaning “waterfall in the valley".
Fossli Park
features the numerous waterfalls of St. Andrew Creek, as it meanders
through the park before spilling into Sproat Lake. There is a good
beach for swimming, and in the fall coho salmon can be seen spawning
in St. Andrew's Creek. A short trail heading west from the beach
leads to a small point and a beaver pond that is a good spot for
bird watching in the spring. Fishing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking
are popular pastimes at the lake. The nearest boat launch is located
at Sproat Lake Provincial Park. A picnic table and pit toilet are
located at the lake, but there are no camping facilities at the
park.
Fossli Park
Trail: Take the old logging road leading down hill and bear
left at the first junction with another old logging road. A short
distance farther is the boundary of the park. The trail to the left
leads to a suspension bridge. Cross the suspension bridge and continue
down hill on a rather rough but well-marked trail. At the bottom
of the hill a short path leads to St. Andrew's Creek and Fossli
water falls. To reach Sproat Lake continue a short distance through
a deciduous forest to another junction. The trail bears left to
the beach and grassy area that are all that remain of the Ford homestead.
Fossli Provincial
Park is located on the south side of Stirling Arm on Sproat Lake,
7 miles (12 km) west of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Access
is by boat from any launch point on Sproat Lake, or an approximately
30-minute walk from the private Stirling Arm Mainline. This is an
active logging road and logging trucks have the right of way at
all times. Drivers should use caution and yield to logging trucks.
Travel through
Port Alberni on the way to Tofino and turn left on McCoy Lake Road
(approx 6.5 km). Drive 3 km to Stirling Arm Road; turn left here
and travel 0.9 km. At the Sterling Arm Mainline intersection turn
right and travel 4 km to the second bridge. Just before the second
bridge you’ll find a pullout where you can park. An old logging
road from the parking lot leads to the trail that will take you
to Sproat Lake.
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