The first European explorer likely to have observed any of the mountains of the Vancouver Island Ranges would have been [[Juan José Pérez Hernández|Captain Juan José Pérez]] aboard the Spanish frigate Santiago. Although he anchored off [[Estevan Point]], on August 8, 1774 he did not land. [[James Cook|Captain James Cook]] entered [[Nootka Sound]] March 29, 1778 and spent about a month refitting his ships [[HMS Discovery (1774)|Discovery]] and [[HMS Resolution (Cook)|Resolution]]. His logs contain the first recorded reference to the mountains of Vancouver Island. In 1788 British Captain [[John Meares]] began a small settlement at [[Nootka Sound]] and the following year, the Spanish built a permanent fort at Friendly Cove ([[Yuquot, British Columbia|Yuquot]]) in [[Nuu-chah-nulth people|Nuu-chah-nulth]] territory. The Spanish claimed sovereignty and a dispute arose which was resolved with the [[Nootka Convention]] of the 1794. There was little further exploration until the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] was granted rights to Vancouver Island on January 13, 1849 leading to the first attempt, by Captain Hamilton Moffat in 1852 to ascend a major peak on the Island when he attempted [[Rugged Mountain]].
The first European explorer likely to have observed any of the mountains of the Vancouver Island Ranges would have been [[Juan José Pérez Hernández|Captain Juan José Pérez]] aboard the Spanish frigate Santiago. Although he anchored off [[Estevan Point]], on August 8, 1774 he did not land. [[James Cook|Captain James Cook]] entered [[Nootka Sound]] March 29, 1778 and spent about a month refitting his ships [[HMS Discovery (1774)|Discovery]] and [[HMS Resolution (Cook)|Resolution]]. His logs contain the first recorded reference to the mountains of Vancouver Island. In 1788 British Captain [[John Meares]] began a small settlement at [[Nootka Sound]] and the following year, the Spanish built a permanent fort at Friendly Cove ([[Yuquot, British Columbia|Yuquot]]) in [[Nuu-chah-nulth people|Nuu-chah-nulth]] territory. The Spanish claimed sovereignty and a dispute arose which was resolved with the [[Nootka Convention]] of the 1794. There was little further exploration until the [[Hudson's Bay Company]] was granted rights to Vancouver Island on January 13, 1849 leading to the first attempt, by Captain Hamilton Moffat in 1852 to ascend a major peak on the Island when he attempted [[Rugged Mountain]].
[[Adam Grant Horne]] located a trail across the island from the [[Qualicum River]] to the [[Alberni Inlet]] in 1856 and [[Joseph Despard Pemberton]], Surveyor General of the [[Colony of Vancouver Island]] explored much of the southern half of the Island in 1857. The southern Island was further explored by the [[Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition]] in 1865. By the mid1880s the southern half of the island had been explored and by 1890 the northern region had been explored as well. The central part of the island, the area now within [[Strathcona Provincial Park#History|Strathcona Provincial Park]], was explored by Reverend William Washington Bolton, Headmaster of the Victoria School for Boys, in 1894 and 1896.
[[Adam Grant Horne]] located a trail across the island from the [[Qualicum River]] to the [[Alberni Inlet]] in 1856 and [[Joseph Despard Pemberton]], Surveyor General of the [[Colony of Vancouver Island]] explored much of the southern half of the Island in 1857. The southern Island was further explored by the [[Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition]] in 1865. By the mid-1880s the southern half of the island had been explored and by 1890 the northern region had been explored as well. The central part of the island, the area now within [[Strathcona Provincial Park#History|Strathcona Provincial Park]], was explored by Reverend William Washington Bolton, Headmaster of the Victoria School for Boys, in 1894 and 1896.
The Vancouver Island Ranges, formerly called the Vancouver Island Mountains, is a mountain range extending along the length of Vancouver Island which has an area of 31,788 km² (12,273 sq; mi). The Vancouver Island Ranges comprise the central and largest part of the island.[1] The Geological Survey of Canada refers to Vancouver Island, the Queen Charlotte Islands the Alaska Panhandle as the Insular Belt including the sea floor out to 100 km (62 mi) west of Vancouver Island.[2] The Vancouver Island Ranges are a sub-range of the Insular Mountains.
Explorations
The first European sighting[3] of these ranges was likely Sir Francis Drake. A sighting of land on June 5, 1579 was recorded by his crew aboard the vessel Golden Hind at a latitude of 48 degrees north but not finding safe harbour, they moved on southward. The highest peak of the Vancouver Island Ranges, the Golden Hinde is named for his vessel.
The first European explorer likely to have observed any of the mountains of the Vancouver Island Ranges would have been Captain Juan José Pérez aboard the Spanish frigate Santiago. Although he anchored off Estevan Point, on August 8, 1774 he did not land. Captain James Cook entered Nootka Sound March 29, 1778 and spent about a month refitting his ships Discovery and Resolution. His logs contain the first recorded reference to the mountains of Vancouver Island. In 1788 British Captain John Meares began a small settlement at Nootka Sound and the following year, the Spanish built a permanent fort at Friendly Cove (Yuquot) in Nuu-chah-nulth territory. The Spanish claimed sovereignty and a dispute arose which was resolved with the Nootka Convention of the 1794. There was little further exploration until the Hudson's Bay Company was granted rights to Vancouver Island on January 13, 1849 leading to the first attempt, by Captain Hamilton Moffat in 1852 to ascend a major peak on the Island when he attempted Rugged Mountain.
Adam Grant Horne located a trail across the island from the Qualicum River to the Alberni Inlet in 1856 and Joseph Despard Pemberton, Surveyor General of the Colony of Vancouver Island explored much of the southern half of the Island in 1857. The southern Island was further explored by the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition in 1865. By the mid-1880s the southern half of the island had been explored and by 1890 the northern region had been explored as well. The central part of the island, the area now within Strathcona Provincial Park, was explored by Reverend William Washington Bolton, Headmaster of the Victoria School for Boys, in 1894 and 1896.
Ranges
Named Ranges of Vancouver Island
Only a few of the many subranges of the Vancouver Island Ranges have official names. These are:
Philip Stone (2003). Island Alpine, A Guide to the Mountains of Strathcona Park and Vancouver Island. Wild Isle Publications: Heriot Bay, BC. ISBN0-9680766-5-3.
Lindsay Elms (1996). Beyond Nootka, A Historical Perspective of Vancouver Island Mountains. Misthorn Press: Courtenay, BC. ISBN0-9680159-0-5.
This subrange, not named on official maps, lies east of the San Juan River on southern Vancouver Island and forms the horizon in this west-facing view looking across Patricia Bay from North Saanich.
In the subrange shown at left is a prominent hill which can be seen well as far east as Sidney, 38 km away. It is heavily exploited by loggers, but has yet to be named on a topographic map. It stands at 48°38′N123°56′W / 48.633°N 123.933°W / 48.633; -123.933
This subrange, not named on official maps, lies east of the San Juan River on southern Vancouver Island and forms the horizon in this west-facing view looking across Patricia Bay from North Saanich.
