Marmots of Blackwall Peak
Archive material
Blackwall Peak is located in the alpine area of Manning Provincial Park. This remote and pristine landscape was once home to a large and very healthy colony of hoary marmots. They shared this wilderness area with yellow belly marmots and pika – both of which are slightly smaller in size. In late 1983 I read about the colony and decided that I wanted to see it firsthand to photograph the marmots. Through the following winter I researched the site and made a plan to visit the colony in the late spring of 1984. Access to the site was hampered by heavy snow that year, but the trail finally opened in early June. Over the following months I visited the colony many times - often arriving in darkness so I could see the marmots as they emerged from their burrow to greet the sunrise. I really enjoyed the time I spent photographing these interesting and very social creatures. A couple of years ago while speaking with the Park Warden I learned the ‘Dorito generation’ of mindless visitors has had a negative impact on this once healthy colony. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed the colony in its prime!
Read MoreBlackwall Peak is located in the alpine area of Manning Provincial Park. This remote and pristine landscape was once home to a large and very healthy colony of hoary marmots. They shared this wilderness area with yellow belly marmots and pika – both of which are slightly smaller in size. In late 1983 I read about the colony and decided that I wanted to see it firsthand to photograph the marmots. Through the following winter I researched the site and made a plan to visit the colony in the late spring of 1984. Access to the site was hampered by heavy snow that year, but the trail finally opened in early June. Over the following months I visited the colony many times - often arriving in darkness so I could see the marmots as they emerged from their burrow to greet the sunrise. I really enjoyed the time I spent photographing these interesting and very social creatures. A couple of years ago while speaking with the Park Warden I learned the ‘Dorito generation’ of mindless visitors has had a negative impact on this once healthy colony. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed the colony in its prime!
