On Hwy. 5, about 250 km (155 mi.) south of Tête Jaune Cache, the little town of Clearwater altitude 406 m (1332 ft); on the North Thompson River is the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, established in 1939. The northern section of this 5,200 sq. km (2000 sq. mi.) conservation area ranges over part of the heavily glaciated Cariboo Mountains
and Wells Gray is renowned for its breathtaking waterfalls and picturesque lakes. Few tourist facilities exist in the Park.
From Clearwater a 40 km (25 mi.) long minor road with many spectacular views follows the Clearwater Valley past Spahats Creek Provincial Park (15 km (9 mi.); Spahats Creek Canyon, 122 m (400 ft) deep with a 61 m (200 ft) waterfall - at its most attractive against a background of autumn foliage) to the main entrance at Hemp Creek (Park office, information; recreation area at Helmcken Falls Lodge with boat and canoe hire). From here a gravel road continues north to Clearwater Lake providing access to several superb hiking trails (e.g. Placid Lake Trail, Whitehorse escarpment) and some awe-inspiring waterfalls.
At Dawson Falls, 5 km (3 mi.) beyond Hemp Creek, the waters of the 91 m (300 ft) wide Murtle River plunge 18 m (60 ft) into the depths. A small side road leads to a rugged gorge on the Murtle known as the Mush Bowls (Devil's Punchbowl).
11 km (7 mi.) south of the town is the turn-off to Highway 24. This winds through some charming countryside to Little Fort 110 km (68 mi.) away on Highway 5 (Yellowhead Highway, South).
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