July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Sightseeing Tours
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Last Wednesday me and my fellow Visitor Information Counceller from here in Smithers went on a FAM tour with the Hazelton & Terrace visitors centers to the historic town of Hazelton.
We took part in a spectacular walking tour of the historic town of Old Hazelton. Our tour guide was awesome and she definaly knew her stuff. On our tour we saw many different sights such as the war vetrines memorial sight, the home of the very first multi-cultural highschool in BC, the Old Paddle Boat. We even got luck enough to take a look in the museum/Library and the newly opened art gallery; which is located right inside of the Paddle Boat. We even got to check out the extra large Chesse & Checkers board painted right onto the basketball court, comes fully equipt with knee high rooks, pons, knights and the rest of the crew as well!
We found great things to see and do all over the place in Hazelton not to mention the weather was great and we all learned alot about the great history of the Hazelton Area; even got a bit of a tan doing it. Absolutly something everyone should take the time to check out!!!
July 11, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Sightseeing Tours
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We finished up at the
K’san Historical Village & Museum then continued on the beautiful Pioneer style Village of Hazelton. The first thing we did was eat! We had to meet our tour guide at 1 and it was 12:30 so we had to eat fast. Some of us went to the cozy coffee shop of Mercedes Beans and Model Teas and got some good food and drinks, while the remaining people went to the BC Café that has been taken over by new owners and has had a ‘face lift’ the food was great and hospitality was even better.
Once we enjoyed our wonderful lunches we went down the River Boat where we met Carmen, our tour guide. She led us around Old Hazelton and told us some of the great history of the area. We saw the old Anglican Church that was built in the 1900’s and is still used for services today. We saw a building that looks like a River Boat. It is a replica of the original S.S Essington paddlewheel, which use to travel up the Bulkley River from Prince Rupert, delivering Hudson Bay merchandise to Hazelton. After we walked all around Old Hazelton we went into the Library that has a museum in it. In there they have information on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, medical history of all the Wrinch Memorial Hospitals we have had, logging and mining information. So many things to see!
The tour of Old Hazelton is free and only takes an hour and you will learn so much about the area and how little old Hazelton came to be. After the tour we went into the River Boat which is now an art gallery. Many locals have their art on display in the gallery, it is so nice to see local art on display and ready for anyone who wants to go and see it. After seeing the sights of Old Hazelton we drove back up towards New Hazelton but, before we got to New Hazelton we stopped and walked along an apart of the Eagle Down Trail that goes all the way from Hagwilget Bridge to Old Hazelton. About 200m from the bridge there is a stop with picnic tables and benches and you can sit and look at the beautiful Hagwilget Canyon. We continued along the trail for a ways and ended up at the bridge, we walked across this massive bridge then we walked all the way down the trail to the water. It is wonderful under the bridge and you can just sit and watch the water flow by, it is so calm and serene. After hanging out for a while we headed back up the trail. Going down is just fine, it is always going back up that gets you though. It is a pretty steep trail but it is totally worth it. It was a great day to see the Hazelton’s and meet the people from the other Visitor Centres.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Sightseeing Tours
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One warm sunny evening, my friends and I went on an adventure to the Bulkley Canyon Gate. For years, I have heard stories about the Bulkley Canyon Gate and its mystical captivating features; however, despite a couple of previous attempts I had never seen “the gate” before last week.
The Bulkley Canyon Gate consists of three pillars of sandstone, which protrude out into the river to form “the gate”. It is an interesting, fascinating, and unique geological formation, which the Bulkley River rushes through.
In the past when I had tried to access the gate it was from the south side near Ross Lake Provincial Park; however, from there one only sees a small portion of the rock wall across the river as over the years the trees have grown and blocked the view. The North side of the Bulkley Canyon Gate can only be accessed by a guided ATV tour from Triple Creek Ranch.
Fortunately, my friends and I were offered a tour and we excitedly jumped at the opportunity. The four of us hopped on ATVs and popped our helmets on our heads and anxiously anticipated not only seeing, but also standing on the gate. Our guide, Ron Fowler, led us through a beautiful forested area, we passed by a swamp that is frequented by moose and bears, we also passed over a couple of small streams. While we were passing over one of the streams Ron pointed out that an indistinguishable animal had just passed through the stream before us as his wet tracks were visible on the dirt path.
After about 30 minutes of ATVing, we parked the ATVs and began our short trek through the forest to the edge of the canyon. We were met with surprise and awe as we walked out onto the gate with the sun beginning to set and beautifully lighting up the canyon and the thick, resistant layers of sandstone that protrude into the river to form “the gate”.
It was an unforgettable adventure and if you are interested in unusual geological landscapes or merely love the thrill of standing in a place where a limited number of people have stood before you, definitely check out the guided ATV tour to the Bulkley Gate!
August 08, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Sightseeing Tours
On a warm August night, two friends and I wandered down to
the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers to take in the scenery and go
for a quick evening walk. The evening was filled with lots of laughter as we
explored the cottonwood chairs, and skipped smooth river rocks across a still
pool of backwater.
The confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley rivers can be
accessed from the ‘Ksan historical museum and village parking lot (‘Ksan is
located 7km from New Hazelton along Hwy 62). One can wander down to the very
point where the large rivers join and watch the swirling waters as the rivers
mingle and blend into one.
The trail leading down to the point is lined with
several intriguing chairs cut out of recently fallen cottonwood trees. There
are also several trails that branch off the trail, which originally leaves the
parking lot. These trails allow you to loop through the bush and return via an
alternate route or even lengthen your walk through the forest.
Once you leave
the forest you will walk along smooth river rock until you encounter the
rushing waters of the rivers. From the point you will enjoy spectacular views
of the Roche De Boule Mountain Range as well as the riverbanks, and flood
plains - known as Anderson Flats Provincial Park.
July 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Sightseeing Tours
The Hazelton Area Visitor's Center Counselors go on a walking tour and show you some of the must-see places when you visit Historic Hazelton!