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Beautiful Helmcken Falls drops 463 spectacular feet along the Murtle River in Wells Grey Provincial Park in eastern British Columbia, Canada.

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Helmcken Falls is a true scenic wonder and a popular tourist attraction and is generally ranked as one of the top waterfalls in the world. There is a smaller waterfall located just below the main drop which is known as Lower Helmcken Falls and can be seen here just downstream.

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The area around Helmcken Falls was formed by volcanic lava flows and then shaped into current configurations by massive glacial flooding and today by the flow of the Murtle River. The cliffs Helmcken Falls flows over are composed of basalt rock. During winter Helmcken Falls forms a huge ice cone that only adds to the beauty of the site.

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Helmcken Falls is named for John Sebastian Helmcken who was a prominent British Columbia physician and founder of the British Columbia Medical Association. Helmcken also played a large role in making British Columbia a province of Canada as he was one of the negotiators of the deal. Helmcken was opposed to the idea of British Columbia becoming a Canadian Province but the terms offered by Canada were so favourable that Helmcken and the other negotiators had to accept. The terms were likely favourable because Canada was afraid of British Columbia becoming a part of the United States. Ironically Helmcken never actually saw Helmcken Falls in person.

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One of the reasons Helmcken Falls is popular with tourists is because it is relatively easy to travel to and view. To get to Helmcken Falls you drive to the town of Clearwater along Highway 5 in eastern British Columbia and then take Clearwater Valley Road north right into Wells Grey Provincial Park and there is a viewpoint right along the road for the falls.

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You can also hike to the falls if so inclined. The main reason Helmcken Falls is so popular is because of its sheer beauty.

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For more great waterfalls in British Columbia click here.