CDMC

Origins of Names upon Forbidden Plateau, within Strathcona Park and throughout the Surrounding Regions of the Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island

Compiled for CDMC by Diana Fright

Thanks must go to Ruth Masters for the loan of her personal copy of her splendid work "History of Forbidden Plateau, 1920-86". It contains a wealth of information on the settlement and development of the Comox Valley, the history of CDMC, the exploration of Forbidden Plateau, wonderful stories of prospectors, adventurers, hikers and skiers, as well as the origins of some place names. It is well worth reading and may be seen at the Courtenay District Museum. Ruth also made available a copy of "List of Place Names in Strathcona Park", compiled by the late Allan Brooks, for which we are most grateful.

The list which follows is by no means complete, and research will continue to discover the origins of names not included. Also, Ruth is still busy naming places for local men who lost their lives in the World Wars, and for those men and women who have worked to protect the environment, so as new information is obtained we shall update the list.

For more information read "British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906, Their Origin & History" by Captain John T. Walbran and / or "British Columbia Placenames" by George & Helen Akrigg. The BC government also runs a provincial website for Geographical Names and their history.

This delightful anonymous verse was found in Ruth Masters wonderful book "History of Forbidden Plateau, 1920-86". I believe most hikers will recall a trip such as the one described here... A Mountain Hike: First it rained And then it blew, And then it friz, And then it snew, And then it fogged, And then it thew, And very shortly after then It blew and friz and snew again!

Name Feature Origin and Remarks
Adrian Mount Named for W. Adrian B. Paul of the Comox Valley, farmer, naturalist and mountain climber. Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Albert Edward Mount Named for Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
Aldermen Lakes Named in honour of the aldermen of the City of Courtenay who, in the early days, took an active interest in discovery & development on Forbidden Plateau (mainly as a source of water for the City). Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Alexandra Peak Named for the wife of King Edward VII
Alone Mountain Descriptive name since it stands alone. Formerly known as Lone Mountain but was changed to avoid duplication.
Amphitheatre Lake Descriptive of the aspect of surrounding terrain; it is actually a cirque. Named by Clinton Wood.
Anderson Lake Formerly named Dove Lake but changed due to local objections & to conform to local usage. Named for Tommy Anderson, a fine old pioneer & trailblazer, who built a cabin there in the 1920's.
Apps Mount Named for George Apps (1894 - 1982), teacher & principal of Cumberland Elementary School, also alderman & Freeman of the Village of Cumberland. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1984.
Argus Mountain Named to recognize the local newspaper, the Comox Argus, whose editor, Ben Hughes, attempted to climb the mountain in 1931. Argus means "watchful guardian". Suggested by Ben Hughes, CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Arnica Creek (Lake) Named for a common wild flower which flourishes in this area. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1987.
Arrowsmith Mount Named for Aaron Arrowsmith & his nephew John Arrowsmith, English cartographers known for the excellence of their work. The Arrowsmith - Cokely Complex is a popular destination of the CDMC and is the highest peak on southern Vancouver Island.
Ash Pond Named for WW1 veteran, Captain G. H. Ash of Royston, an avid hiker who, for many years, took groups of young hikers into the hills; a kindly gentleman who always assisted the stragglers on any mountaineering trip. Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted in 1975.
Ash River Named for Victoria physician Dr. John Ash, a sponsor of Dr. Robert Brown's 1864 Vancouver Island Exploration Expedition.
Aston Pond Named for Jimmy Aston, Courtenay pioneer, alderman, shoemaker & outdooorsman. Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted in 1989.
Augerpoint Mountain Descriptive name chosen by an early surveyor, William Ralph.
Aureole Icefield Probably descriptive, aureole meaning "halo" or "luminous surround".
Ball Lake Named for A. B. Ball, Royston General Store owner & Courtenay alderman, who took a special interest in the development of Forbidden Plateau. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Battleship Lake First named by Clinton Wood, when his son pointed out that the profile of the trees on the three small islands resembled battleships at anchor. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Beaufort Range Named for Sir Frances Beaufort, RN, Hydrographer of the Admiralty.
Beautiful Lake So named by Clinton Wood & Bill Douglas when they first saw it in 1927.
Becher Mount Named for Admiral Alexander Bridgeport Becher, RN (1796 - 1876), a well-known & respected surveyor who surveyed chiefly on the Canadian Great Lakes.
Bedwell Lake (River) Named for Edward Parker Bedwell, RN, second master of the survey ship HMS Plumper.
Beech Creek Named for a pioneer, William Beech, who arrived in the Comox district about 1868.
Behinde, The Mountain Local name for the peak 2 km due west of the Golden Hinde. Suggested by CDMC; adopted 1980.
Big Den Mountain So named by Norman Stewart, BCLS, because of a winter den found there.
Big Interior Mountain Locally established descriptive name.
Black Cat Mountain So named by an early hiking party which left Courtenay in miserable weather to climb Comox Glacier. On the way, a black cat ran across the road in front of their car... Thereafter, the weather cleared & they had a marvellous trip, later attributed to the luck of crossing paths with a black cat. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1975.
Boston Bay (Lake) (Ridge) Named for "Boston" (E. J.) Calnan, of Happy Valley near Cumberland, who as a young man had a cabin at Boston Bay on Comox Lake, where he went with his friends on weekends to booze up. Calnan was born in Nova Scotia, but lived in Boston before arriving her, hence his nickname. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1976.
Brooks Mount Named for Allan Brooks, naturalist & eminent bird painter, winner of the Governor General's Gold Medal for his work; he had a summer home in Comox. Formerly known as Limestone Ridge.
Brown's River Named for botanist Dr. Robert Brown, leader of the first exploration party to journey across Vancouver Island in 1864.
Butterwort Creek Named for a common wild flower which flourishes in the area.
Buttle Lake (Narrows) Named for John James Taylor Buttle, geologist & botanist from Kew Gardens. He discovered & mapped the lake in 1865 while leading an expedition in the area. Originally known as Buttle's Lake.
Campbell Lake (River) Named for Dr. Samuel Campbell, surgeon on HMS survey vessel Plumper 1857 -1862.
Capes Creek (Lake) (Ridge) Named for Geoffrey Bernard Capes, Courtenay businessman, who made many exploring & climbing trips into Forbidden Plateau & Strathcona Park during 1920 - 1960. Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted 1939.
Carey Lakes Named for George Hunter Carey, first Attorney General of the Colony of Vancouver Island, who is credited with having made the original suggestion for European settlement of the Comox Valley in 1858.
Carter Lake Named for RCAF Squadron Leader Frank Carter of Courtenay, who died in WW2.
Carwithen Lake Named for Reginald Carwithen, who settled in the Comox Valley in 1871.
Castlecrag Mountain Descriptive name, well established locally as Castle Crag when recommended by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, in 1935; adopted as Castlecrag Mountain in 1948.
Century Sam Lake Named to honour Sid Williams of Courtenay, hiker, climber, prospector, actor, who portrayed Century Sam, mascot of B.C.'s Centennial celebrations in 1958.
Charity Lake The name appears to have been chosen by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, who also named Faith & Hope Lakes, Charity being the greatest of the three.
Circlet Lake Originally named Circle Lake by John Brown, for its round shape, (it is actually within a cirque) but changed to Circlet in 1939. John Brown was the Negro prospector who worked in the area in the 1920's, before its discovery by hikers.
Cliffe Glacier Named for the Cliffe family, Comox Valley pioneers.
Colonel Foster Mount Named for Col. William W. Foster, ardent alpinist & president of the Alpine Club of Canada, 1922 - 1924. He was also BC's Deputy Minister of Public Works & served with distinction in WW1 & as special commander for defence projects in WW2.
Comox Lake (Creek) (Gap) (Glacier) Comox Lake was originally known as Puntledge Lake, but by 1884 had acquired the Indian name of Comox, meaning 'plenty' or 'abundance'. The name was accepted by the Geographical Board of Canada in 1922 & not changed to Cumberland Lake in spite of several attempts by the Village.
Constitution Hill Local name, origin unknown.
Cottingham Lake Named for RCAF F/O Cyril Morgan Cottingham of Comox, who died in WW2.
Cougar Lake Named for the nearby Cougar Main logging road of Comox Logging Co. Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted 1976.
Cream Lake (Creek) Descriptive name for its opaque waters as veiwed from Septimus Glacier.
Crest Mountain (Creek) (Lake) Descriptive name used since 1957.
Croteau Lake Named for Eugene Croteau, of Croteau Beach, Comox, who operated Croteau Guest Camp in the 1930's. Suggested by Ruth Masters, CDMC; adopted 1939.
Crown Mountain Descriptive name, adopted in 1910; formerly known as McBride Peak & Ellison Peak.
Cruickshank Canyon (River) Named for George Cruickshank, Hon. Secretary, Vancouver Island Exploration Committee, 1864.
Della Falls (Lake) Named for Della, the wife of prospector Joe Drinkwater.
Denman Island Named for Rear Admiral Joseph Denman, FRS, who visited Clayoquot in 1864.
Devoe Mount Named for William F. Devoe, settler & surveyor in the late 1800's - early 1900's.
Diana Pool Unofficial name for a tiny lake close to Moat Lake. The name was chosen by a Plateau guide, P. L. Tait, for a visitor to the area, named Diana, whom he admired.
Divers Lake Originally named by John Brown, an early prospector, who observed loons (hell-divers) feeding on this lake, & so labelled on a map displayed in Strathcona Park Lodge from 1935 onwards; adopted in 1939.
Donner Lake (Mount) Named for Julius & Charles Donner, who had a cabin at the lake, 1907 - 1911.
Douglas Lake Named for William (Bill) Douglas, a Courtenay alderman, who was the first to introduce trout fry to this lake, & also McKenzie Lake.
Dove Creek Origin unknown; approved as a small feature by the Geographical Board of Canada in 1923.
Drabble Mountain (Lakes) Named for George Fawcett Drabble, one of the first 40 settlers in the Comox Valley. He was a surveyor & engineer, & laid out the original townsite of Courtenay. He was also a confirmed bachelor & misogynist.
Drinkwater Creek Named for Joe Drinkwater, a prospector & trapper who lost his life in an accident in this area in 1938.
Duncan Lake Named for Robert & Charles Duncan, cousins from Courtenay, both of whom were killed in WW1; adopted in 2000.
El Piveto Mountain Spanish word for pivot, & associated with one of the first surveys of this area, in the early 1900's.
Elk River Named for the elk in this valley.
Elkhorn Mountain Descriptive name for its sharp peak. It was known as the "Matterhorn of Strathcona", but in 1912 the Canadian Alpine Club suggested the name Elkhorn, as the mountain is close to the Elk River.
Elma Mount Named for Elma (Elizabeth Mary) Pearse, wife of Theed Pearse, a mayor of Courtenay. Elma rode to the top of this mountain on a horse named Lady when Clinton Wood led a party into this area in 1930.
Eric Creek Named for an early pioneer, Eric Duncan, author of "Fiftyseven years in the Comox Valley".
Faith Lake Named by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, along with Hope & Charity Lakes.
Filberg Mount (Creek) Named for Robert Filberg of Comox, head of Comox Logging Co.
Flower Ridge Descriptive name for its rich subalpine flora.
Forbidden Plateau This name has been attributed to Ben Hughes, editor of the Comox Argus. In 1927, he wrote an article about a trip to the Plateau, recounting Dr. Robert Brown's diary for 1864 in which Dr. Brown writes of being unable to persuade any of the local natives to accompany him on a trip up the Puntledge River because of a taboo, or from fear of legendary spirits or hostile Nootka indians.
Forbush Lake Named for Edward Howe Forbush, ornithologist, who collected birds in the area in 1888.
Frink Mount Named for a Miss Frink, girl friend of a visitor to the area in 1934 when it was being surveyed.
Frog Pond Unofficial name for a favoured camping site for hikers ascending the Comox Glacier by the Comox Creek route.
Gem Lake Originally named Emerald Lake by the Regan (E. & N.) Survey Party in 1930, but later changed to Gem to avoid duplication.
Geoffrey Mount Named for Admiral Sir Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby.
George V Mountain Named for King George V in 1935, the year of his silver jubilee.
Ginger Goodwin Mount (Creek) Named for Ginger Goodwin, a labour organizer, who was shot & killed in 1918 on the lower northeast slope of this mountain by a Dominion policeman.
Gold Lake Named for the ore found here.
Golden Hinde, The Mountain Originally known as The Rooster's Comb, but was renamed in 1939 for Sir Francis Drake's ship & to commemorate the 360th anniversary of Drake's arrival in these waters (Cape Flattery).
Green Lake Descriptive name for its colour when viewed from Mount Septimus.
Greig Ridge (Creek) (Lake) Named for Ted Greig of Royston, horticulturist & botanist, who was especially interested in the flora of this area.
Haig Brown Mount Named for Roderick Haig-Brown, author & conservationist, who fought to save Buttle Lake from flooding in the 1950's.
Hairtrigger Lake Named by Clinton Wood to commemorate the time, in the 1930's, when his party was out of food &, not wanting to return home, went hunting for a deer in this area. He saw one but, in his excitement, pulled the trigger too soon, & missed the deer, which bounded away. So the party had to go back out, quite a journey in those days.
Harmston Mount Named for William Harmston, an early settler in the Comox Valley.
Harris Lake Named for a trapper who lived in Courtenay.
Harvey Lake Named for RCN Sub. Lt. Barnett "Buster" Harvey, from Comox, lost at sea in WW2; adopted in 2001.
Hawarth Lake Named for one of the nine men on the expedition to Crown Mountain in1910, led by Price Ellison.
Heber Mount (River) Named by William De Voe for his deceased brother Heber. William was a member of the 1913 survey party and tragically drowned in the Campbell River while on this expedition.
Helen MacKenzie Lake Named for Helen Maud Hutton MacKenzie, niece of Lt. Governor Randolph Bruce, who accompanied him at the formal opening of the Dove Creek trail into Forbidden Plateau in 1929.
Hkusam Mountain From the Indian word for 'having fat or oil', a reference to the Salmon River & the village at its mouth.
Hope Lake Named by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, who also named Faith & Charity Lakes.
Hornby Island Named for Admiral Sir Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby.
Hutton Lake Named for RCAF Pilot Officer Allan Hutton of Cumberland, killed in WW2.
Iceberg Peak Descriptive name for the peak at north end of Rees Ridge, near Comox Glacier. Well established locally, adopted 2001.
Idiens Lake (Creek) Named for Richard Bertram (Dick) Idiens, an ardent skier & hiker in the 1930's, who was killed in WW2. One of the founding members of CDMC when it was formed in 1927, Dick was it's president in 1938 when he made the first winter ascent of Mount Albert Edward with Don & Phyllis Munday & Len Rossiter. Idiens Lake lies a kilometre to the west of the summit of Mount Ginger Goodwin. Idiens Creek is the outflow of this lake, flowing into Rees Creek and the Cruikshank River watershed, eventually becoming part of the Comox Valley's water supply.
Indianhead Mountain This name originated from the story of John Brown, an early prospector, who believed that a rock formation he had seen on this mountain, resembling a human head, had been carved by Indians (it is a natural shape). CDMC suggested the name Indian Head which was adopted in 1939, but changed to Indianhead in 1948.
Ink Lake Descriptive name chosen by Sid Williams, who visited this lake in the early 1930's.
Jack Shark Lake Named for Jack Shark, longtime CDMC member who built Jack's Augerpoint Trail from Buttle Lake to Mount Albert Edward. Suggested by Ruth Masters & BC Parks; adopted 2001.
Jim Mitchell Lake Named for a 17 year old surveyor's assistant who died in 1937 as the result of an accident while working in this area of the Park.
John Brown Lake Named for a prospector, John Brown, who pioneered the Forbidden Plateau trails.
Johnston Lake Named for John "Scoop" Johnston, a Courtenay alderman in the 1920's.
Jutland Mountain Originally known as Mount Arthur for Arthur Leighton, QC, of Duncan, but was changed to Jutland to commemorate the famous WW1 naval battle.
Kalmia Lake Named by CDMC for the Kalmia (Bog Laurel) that flourishes in the sphagnum moss surrounding the lake.
Karst Creek Named for the Karst (limestone) formation through which this creek disappears & reappears.
Kings Peak Named for Michael & James King, members of the Ellison expedition, 1910.
Kookjai Lake (Mountain) Said to be the Indian word for 'to see', this being the first place one can see the Comox Glacier en route from Comox Gap. Chosen by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, who had a penchant for Indian names.
Kooso Lake Kooso is the Indian word for 'to go'.
Kwai Lake Named in honour of the Clinton Wood family who pioneered camps & trails on Forbidden Plateau. Kwai is the Indian word for wood.
Lady Lake Named for a horse called Lady upon which Elma Pearse rode into the Plateau in 1930.
Laing Mount Named for Hamilton Mack Laing (1883-1982), naturalist, museum collector, nut orchardist & writer, who lived in Comox 1926-1982.
Landslide Lake Named for the landslide, triggered by an earthquake in 1946, when a massive amount of rock slid off Mount Col. Foster into the lake.
Little Bedwell Lake Unofficial name for the lake immediately north of Bedwell Lake.
Lone Tree Pass Descriptive name, since one lone tree is visible in the pass between Black Cat mountain & the Comox Glacier.
Lone Wolf Mountain Mountain Descriptive named given by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS.
Marble Peak (Meadows) Named for the limestone (marble) formation of this area.
Mariwood Lake Named for Mary Wood, wife of Clinton Wood, in recognition of her hard work in the Plateau camps.
Mark Mount Named for Mark Bate of the Hudson Bay Co., stationed at Nanaimo when the mountain was named for him in 1860.
McBride Mount Named for Sir Richard McBride, Premier of B.C. in 1911 when Strathcona Park was created.
McKay Lake Named for J. M. McKay, a prospector who staked claims on Mount Washington prior to 1941.
McKenzie Lake (Meadows) Named for John McKenzie, Mayor of Courtenay in 1929, the year water rights were obtained to dam this lake. Originally named Seean Lake, an Indian word meaning 'chief', to honour all mayors of Courtenay, but changed after local objections.
McNish Lake Named for Catherine & James McNish, Comox Valley pioneers (1871).
McPhee Lake Named for Wallace McPhee, a Courtenay alderman, who was on the 1928 expedition into the Plateau.
McQuillan Lake Named for RCAF F/O Murray Robert McQuillan of Comox, who was shot down over Norway in WW2.
Meadow Lake Descriptive name for the lake in Whiskey Meadows.
Melda's Marsh This region of Seal Bay Park is dignified with a monument, at it's entrance, for Melda Buchanan, both a longtime member of CDMC and a strong advocate for environmental causes. Officially sanctioned in 2009 due to the efforts of Ruth Masters.
Memory Lake Origin unknown.
Mia Lake Named for Mia Schjelderup, daughter of a Courtenay surveyor.
Milla Lake Descriptive name, from the Indian word for 'white' or 'milky', because of its opaque colouring from glacial silt. Locally known as Milk Lake.
Mirren Lake Named for Mirren Thomas of Courtenay. She was hiking in the area with a group led by Bill Bell (whom she later married) when they encountered a party of surveyors who asked her name so it could be given to the lake.
Moat Lake Descriptive name, suggested by Sid Williams in 1928, as it is situated at the foot of Castle Crag.
Murex Creek Cumberland Mining Company used this name in its application for water from this creek.
Murray Meadows Named for Jack Murray, the packer for Eugene Croteau in the 1930's. Murray pastured his horses in these meadows, between trips.
Myra Mount (Creek) (Falls) Unofficially named for Myra Cliffe, daughter of pioneer Samuel Cliffe of Comox, by Mike King who explored Buttle Lake by canoe, before 1900. Coincidentally, officially named for another Myra (Ellison) since Myra Cliffe's name wasn't officially registered.
Myra Lake Named for Myra Ellison, daughter of Price Ellison, & the only woman on his 1910 government exploratory survey which preceded the establishment of Strathcona Provincial Park.
Netuts Lake Netuts is the Indian word for 'morning'; the lake was formerly known as McIntyre Lake, named for a former mayor of Courtenay. The lake lies a kilometre to the west of Pearse Lake and is part of the headwaters of Brown's River.
Nine Peaks Descriptive name.
Norm Lake Named for Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, who conducted topographic surveys & produced the first detailed map of Strathcona Park, 1934-5.
Owen Lake Named for RCAF Pilot John David "Jack" Owen of Comox, shot down in WW2.
Oyster River Origin unknown; described as an "old time name" in the Victoria Map Office.
Panther Lake So called by 1920's prospector John Brown, who said he was treed here by a family of panthers.
Paradise Meadows (Ponds) (Creek) Descriptive name given by Clinton Wood who saw these meadows when exploring for the Dove Creek Trail in 1928. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Pearce Creek Formerly known as Pearce-McDougall Creek, according to the Cumberland Rod & Gun Club & CDMC.
Pearl Lake Suggested by CDMC as it is the headwaters of the Oyster River.
Pearse Lake Named for Theed Pearse, a Courtenay lawyer & a naturalist, & a former Courtenay alderman & mayor.
Piggott Creek Named for Julian A. Piggott, the future husband of Helen MacKenzie.
Price Creek Named for the Hon. Price Ellison who, as a cabinet minister (Finance & Agriculture) in 1910, was instrumental in establishing Strathcona Park.
Puntledge River (Lake) Named for the Indian tribe (aka Pentlatch or Puntluch), a coast Salish clan extinct since the mid-19th century, who once lived along its banks.
Puzzle Mountain Descriptive of the maze of snow drifts on it's NE slope.
Quadra Island Named by the Geographic Board of Canada in 1903 to honour Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, a Spanish naval officer, governor of Nootka in 1792.
Ralph River Named for William Ralph who, in 1892, surveyed the western boundary of the E & N Railway Land Grant, which later became the eastern boundary of Strathcona Park.
Rambler Mountain Named for the Island Mountain Ramblers' Club.
Ramparts Creek Descriptive name chosen by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS.
Red Pillar Mountain (Creek) Descriptive name; Ben Hughes said this mountain was climbed in 1931 by Geoff Capes & Jack Gregson, who left a note in a cairn at the summit suggesting the name "Pillar". Since there were already other "Pillars" in BC, Red Pillar was chosen because of its distinctly red rock.
Rees Ridge (Creek) For Harry Rees, one of the first to explore this area. He died alone on the Becher Trail in 1933, aged 75 years .
Regan Mount Named for a CPR surveyor, a Mr. Regan, who made an economic survey of the Plateau area for the E & N Railway Co. in 1930.
Rosewall Creek Named for J. Rosewall, owner of land at the mouth of the creek.
Rossiter Lake Named for Len Rossiter, an early Plateau & Park guide & ardent mountaineer. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1939.
Rough & Tumble Mountain Apparently named by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS.
Ruth Masters Lake Unofficially named for long-time member of CDMC; name submitted in 1967, but being reserved as Ruth is still very much alive!
Schljelderup Lake Named for Col. Roger Schjelderup, WW2 hero who, at age 16, climbed the Golden Hinde with Geoff Capes & Sid Williams, the day after the official survey crew made the first ascent in July, 1937. Suggested by Ruth Masters; adopted in 1978.
Septimus Mount Probably named for Septimus Evans, surgeon on survey ship HMS Beaver; but thought by some to be descriptive of its 7 peaks.
Simms Lake Named for Charles Simms, a former mayor of Courtenay, who was keenly interested in Strathcona Park.
Shepherd Creek Named for F. H. Shepherd who surveyed the E & N Railway right-of-way across Vancouver Island to Port Alberni in 1909.
Siokum Creek Indian word for 'in the sun'.
Slingshot Meadows Named in the 1930's to identify the meadow where horses used to be tethered, & was so called because someone had left a slingshot hanging on a tree there.
Strata Mountain Descriptive name for the pronounced stratification of its rock formation.
Strathcona Park BC's first Provincial Park was named in 1911 for Donald Alexander Smith, First Baron Strathcona & Mount Royal, governor of the Hudson Bay Co., MP, & later, director of the CPR.
Stuart Wood Island Named for RCAF F/O Thomas Clinton Stuart Wood, elder son of Clinton & Mary Wood.
Sunrise Lake Named by Clinton Wood who, in 1928, camped above the lake & observed the sun rise over the lake in the morning.
Tennent Lake Named for Capt. Tennent who worked on the 1937 Thompson Topographical survey.
Thelwood Mount (Creek) Named for Ethel Wood who toured the Park in 1912. She was the wife of G. C. Wood, MLA for Alberni, 1912-14.
Tzela Lake Apparently named by Norman C. Stewart, BCLS, who chose the Indian word for 'heart'. It was formerly known as Gregson Lake, for Jack Gregson of Courtenay who was with the first party to climb the Red Pillar, above the lake.
Victoria Peak Presumably named for Queen Victoria, the third highest mountain on Vancouver Island lies outside Strathcona Park's boundaries, although, it is part of the CDMC's history. During September of 1966 the 3rd recorded ascent of this peak included CDMC members Otto Winnig and Don Apps
Volcano Lake So called because it resembles a crater lake; it is actually a classic example of a lake in a cirque.
Wagner Lakes Named for surveyor Gordon Wagner of Comox, surveyor, historian, author & philanthropist. Suggested by CDMC; adopted in 1997.
Waiatt Bay From the Kwakwala Indian word meaning 'where there is herring spawn'.
Washington Mount According to Walbran in "Place Names of British Columbia", it was named for Rear Admiral John Washington, FRS, hydrographer. It is a coincidence that this mountain, as viewed from Comox, has the profile of George Washington's face.
Wattaway Meadows (Creek) Chosen by early CDMC members for Peggy Watt, an enthusiastic Plateau hiker in the 1930's.
Whiskey Meadows (Rock) This name was adopted in the 1930's, following a trip into the Plateau by a party, led by Clinton Wood, which included the Minister of Mines, Thomas Dufferin Patullo, later the Premier of B.C. They camped in the meadows & were deluged with rain but, so the story goes, the day was saved when it was discovered that one of the pack-horses had carried in a case of whiskey. Whiskey Rock was the place where the empty bottles were piled!
White Ridge Named for the exposed white limestone formation.
Willemar Lake Named for Rev. J. X. Willemar, the first RC priest in Comox District (he later became Anglican). This lake & Forbush Lake are known locally as the Little Lakes.
Wolf Lake (River) Origin unknown, but an old name. Probably so named because someone saw a wolf in the vicinity.
Wood Mountain Named for Clinton Wood who built the original Forbidden Plateau Lodge in the early 1930's.