Indian Arm

For the community formerly known as Indian Arm, see Campbellton, Newfoundland and Labrador.

File:BurrardInletIndianArm.jpg

Indian Arm extends north (to the upper right) from Burrard Inlet (in the foreground). View from a viewpoint at Centennial Park on Burnaby Mountain

A view of the northern portion of Indian Arm showing Croker Island

Indian Arm is a steep-sided glacial fjord adjacent to the city of Vancouver in southwestern British Columbia. Formed during the last Ice Age, it extends due north from Burrard Inlet, between the communities of Belcarra (to the east) and the District of North Vancouver (to the west), then on into mountainous wilderness. Burrard Inlet and the opening of Indian Arm was mapped by Captain George Vancouver and fully explored days later by Dionisio Alcalá Galiano in June 1792.

Geography

Satellite photo of Vancouver region; Indian Arm is in the upper right

Indian Arm extends about 20 km (12 mi) north from Burrard Inlet. There are no crossings, and road access is limited to the communities on the southern portion of the arm. The steep mountain slopes are so impassable that most have seen no development, despite the proximity to a major city. Indian River, marked by a small dock at the north end of the arm, can be reached by boat from the Vancouver area or by a logging road from Squamish. A rough wilderness hiking trail around the perimeter of Indian Arm was completed in 2003; it was the work of one man (North Vancouver engineer and trailbuilder Don McPherson) over many years[1].

Scenery

Most of the slopes along Indian Arm are heavily forested. There are several waterfalls, including Granite Falls and Silver Falls, as well as Raccoon Island and the Twin Islands.

Outports

Heading north from Deep Cove one hits Woodlands, which is an established beachfront community. There are associated cabins, beaches and areas as one heads north: Thwaites, Alder Point, Bergs, Crocker Island, Indian River, Bedwell Bay, Belcarra, Anmore, Buntzen Bay, Jug Island, and Whiskey Cove.

Buntzen Power Project

There are two old BC Hydro powerhouses along the eastern shore, dating back to 1903. They are fed by water from Buntzen Lake, approximately 150 metres above Indian Arm. Penstocks direct water down from the lake to the power plants, only one of which is still in operation. Buntzen No. 1, with an initial capacity of 1,500 kW, was built in 1903 to provide electricity for the Vancouver area. It was upgraded in 1951 to boost capacity to 55,000 kW. Buntzen No. 2 was built in 1914 to supply 26,700 kW of power. One of the three pelton wheels was shut down in 1972, with the remainder shut down in the early 2000's. The stations are unmanned, operated by remote control from BC Hydro's System Control facility atop Burnaby Mountain.

Wigwam Inn

The Wigwam Inn, located at the north end of Indian Arm, originally opened as a luxury German Biergarten resort and fishing lodge in 1910. A daily steamship route, using the sternwheeler Skeena, brought customers and supplies to the Inn. The property was operated by Count Gustav Constantin Alvo Van Alvensleben during its "glory days" before World War I, and by other operators until 1963. The property was then sold several times, with a somewhat checkered history, including a stint as a gambling casino which led to a raid by the RCMP. Famous guests included John D. Rockefeller and John Jacob-Astor. The Inn is currently owned and operated by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club as an outstation for RVYC members only. It is equipped with hotel-style suites, full kitchen facilities, and showers, among other amenities.

References

• Map of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm, Village of Belcarra
• 2002 Aerial Photos of Vancouver, including several views of Burrard Inlet and its shores
• "The Blazer", article on trailbuilder Don McPherson by Charles Montgomery, Western Living magazine, October 2001
• Google Maps and Google Earth maps of the Indian Arm Trail route