Shannon Falls British Columbia
Squamish,
BC along the Sea-to-Sky Coastal Highway
Third highest waterfall in BC - Shannon Falls
Shannon Falls is composed of a series of cliffs, rising 335 meters above Highways 99, making it the third highest falls in the province, ranking behind 481 metre Della Falls in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island and 396 metre Hunlen Falls in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola.
The tumbling waters of Shannon Falls originate from Mount Habrich and Mount Sky Pilot.
This park is directly adjacent to Highway 99, making it a popular day-use park . This park provides picnicking, hiking and access to the trail in Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
The falls were named after Shannon who in 1890-1900 owned the falls and surrounding area and used the clay deposits to make bricks. He then sold the land to Brittania Copper Mines in 1900. In the 1930's, the area was used as a relief camp for the workers building Highway 99. In 1976 the area was purchased by Carling O'Keefe Brewery, who used the pure mountain water to brew their beer, and made the area a logging show park. In 1982 O'Keefe donated the land to BC Parks. Throughout the park area there is evidence of logging activity that occurred here roughly 90 years ago. A number of excellent spring board notches on old stumps are scattered throughout the forested area and much of the deadfall also exhibits evidence of the logging techniques of this period.
Cultural Heritage:
This park holds significant spiritual value to the Squamish Indians, the first people to live in this area. They told of a two headed sea serpent, Say-noth-ka who lived in and around Howe Sound. According to legend this beast travelled both on land and in water. Some versions say it was Say-noth-ka who formed Shannon Falls by slithering and twisting his powerful body up the mountainside on repeated expeditions, Say-noth-ka gradually wore down a spillway for those cascading waters.
Photo Credit: Bill McComish, WestCoastPhotos.comWhat You Should Know Before You Go
Fees, Hours of Operation & Number of Campsites
Visitor Safety:
Visitors must stay on the trails and within the viewing area. Rocks and river edges can be extremely slippery.
Photo Credit: Bill McComish, WestCoastPhotos.com
Shannon Falls- Squamish British Columbia (BC) - ShannonFalls.com
Copyright 2003 © Bill
McComish
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