Alty Conservancy | BC Parks

Highlights in this conservancy

Alty Conservancy protects Kiskosh Lagoon and Alty Lake. It is an area of high value for grizzly bear and bird habitat. This conservancy borders with K’Mooda/Lowe-Gamble Conservancy, K’waal Conservancy and Klewnugget Conservancy which together protects a network of inland lakes.

Alty Conservancy contains three remote pristine lakes, old growth forests, several streams and wetlands. It has a diversity of wildlife habitats along with mountain scenery. Access into this wilderness area can be difficult and usually requires air transportation.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Do not take motorized boats through the tidal narrows at the end of Kiskosh Inlet and entrance to Kiskosh lagoon. There are large rocks and your boat will be trapped in the lagoon at low tide.
There are no roads or trails in this wilderness area.
There are no facilities in the conservancy.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Alty Conservancy Map [PDF]
Lakelse Douglas Channel Area Map [PDF]
- Reference: Marine Chart #3743 (Douglas Channel).
- Reference: 1:50,000 scale Topographic Map #103 H/11 (Kitkiata Inlet).

Getting there

Alty Conservancy is only accessible by boat, floatplane or helicopter. It is located about 10 km north of Hartley Bay and 70 km south of Kitimat. The conservancy is located at the end of Kiskosh Inlet and is bordered to the southwest with K’Mooda/Lowe-Gamble Conservancy, to the northeast with K’waal Conservancy and to the west with Klewnugget Conservancy.

Kitimat Visitor Information Centre

PO Box 214
2109 Forest Avenue
Kitimat, BC, Canada V8C 2G7
http://www.tourismkitimat.ca/
info@tourismkitimat.ca
250-632-6294 or 1-800-664-6554

Camping

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. All sites are on a first come, first served basis.

Winter camping

There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy but access may be a problem if the lakes are frozen over.

Things to do

Swimming

Swimming is possible in the lakes, but the water is cold all year.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities in Kiskosh lagoon, Alty Lake, Backlund Lake and Gavel Lake, however access into these areas is difficult and usually requires air transportation.

Kayaking

There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities in Kiskosh lagoon, Alty Lake, Backlund Lake and Gavel Lake, however access into these areas is difficult and usually requires air transportation.

Fishing

There are opportunities for trout, char and coho fishing in the lakes and streams in this conservancy. Please consult the appropriate non-tidal fishing regulations for more information.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

Waterfowl, bears, wolves, moose, deer and fubearers may be seen in the conservancy.

Hunting

This conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Campfires

Firewood is not provided. If you must have a fire, please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to fully extinguish the fire when done. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all.

We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires and using camp stoves instead.

About this conservancy

Cultural Heritage

The conservancy is in the asserted traditional territories of the Gitga’at and Gitxaala Nations. First Nations people historically fished, hunted and trapped in the area, using a trail system stretching from Kiskosh Inlet to Lowe Inlet. Use the links below for more information or to contact these First Nations.

History

Alty Conservancy was designated as a conservancy on May 31, 2007 following recommendations from the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan.

Conservation

The conservancy protects undisturbed old-growth forests of cedar and hemlock, wetlands, wildlife habitat and the watersheds of Alty Lake, Backlund Lake and the southern half of Gavel Lake. Kiskosh lagoon and Alty Lake have high values for grizzly bear and bird habitat.

Wildlife

Grizzly bears, wolves and waterfowl can be found in Kiskosh lagoon. Click here for more information on wildlife safety.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.

Contact