The Comox Glacier is a
glacier
A glacier (; or ) is a persistent body of dense ice, a form of rock, that is constantly moving downhill under its own weight. A glacier forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. It acquires ...
in
Strathcona Provincial Park on
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is an island in the northeastern Pacific Ocean and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The island is in length, in width at its widest point, and in total area, while are of land. The island is the largest ...
,
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
, located southwest of
Courtenay and west of
Argus Mountain.
The highest elevation of the Comox Glacier, , refers to a rocky outcrop on the north side of the glacier. Lacking an official name, it is referred to as the Comox Glacier summit.
The Comox Glacier is a member of the
Vancouver Island Ranges
The Vancouver Island Ranges, formerly called the Vancouver Island Mountains, are a series of mountain ranges extending along the length of Vancouver Island which has an area of . The Vancouver Island Ranges comprise the central and largest part ...
which in turn form part of the
Insular Mountains.
History
The name Comox Glacier comes from the name of the
K'ómoks First Nation who inhabit the area. They refer to the mountain by the name Kwénis, which means "whale". This name comes from a traditional account of the Great Flood: a whale was said to be trapped up on the mountain when the flood receded. In the early 1900s, the glacier was known as Dome Glacier. The name Comox Glacier was officially adopted in 1939, at the suggestion of the Comox & District Mountaineering Club.
Access
There are two direct routes to the Comox Glacier:
1. Comox Glacier Trail (aka Frog's Pond Route) - the most direct route to the Comox Glacier. It begins where Datsio Creek meets Comox Creek. The route initially heads up the valley towards Century Sam Lake, but quickly gains the ridge to the west. The route follows the height of the ridge up to Lone Tree Pass, and on to the south flanks of the Comox Glacier.
2. Kookjai Route - this route starts at Cougar Lake, near the Comox Gap. It traverses over Kookjai Mountain and Black Cat Mountain before meeting up with the Comox Glacier Trail at Lone Tree Pass.
Alternatively, the Comox Glacier can be accessed by traversing from Argus Mountain to the west, or climbing up from Milla Lake to the north.
See also
*
List of mountains in Strathcona Provincial Park
*
Vancouver Island Ranges
The Vancouver Island Ranges, formerly called the Vancouver Island Mountains, are a series of mountain ranges extending along the length of Vancouver Island which has an area of . The Vancouver Island Ranges comprise the central and largest part ...
*
Forbidden Plateau
References
Vancouver Island Ranges
Mid Vancouver Island
Glaciers of British Columbia
Clayoquot Land District
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