Throughout 2011, BC will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its world renowned parks system. Historically it is the ascent of Crown Mountain on July 29th 1910, by the Strathcona Discovery Expedition, that can be pin-pointed as the moment it all began. To celebrate this landmark anniversary planning is underway by the Strathcona Park Public Advisory Committee and BC Parks to re-enact the original 1910 expedition following Price Ellison's footsteps from Victoria via Campbell River through Strathcona Park to Port Alberni, including an ascent of Crown Mountain en route, in July 2010.

Here is an excerpt from the Strathcona Centennial Expedition website about the plan to be in Port Alberni.

Great Central Lake to Port Alberni - August 6-7, 2010. Meeting canoes at the head of Great Central Lake the expedition will paddle down the lake to meet a welcoming party and be escorted to Port Alberni for a community event at the Alberni Valley museum.
Port Alberni to Victoria - August 8, 2010. Travel by road to Qualicum Beach to meet Via Rail train to Victoria.

The Alberni Valley is one of the five communities that surround Strathcona Provincial Park. Access to the park can be gained from Great Central Lake and Oshinow, or Deep Lake.