August 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Beaches & Swimming
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When traveling in hot weather, nothing beats stopping at Seeley Lake located 10 Km west of Hazelton on Highway 16.
My friend and I stopped at this lake when heading east on a road trip and went for a quick dip in the lake. The lake was not as cold as I had expected (thank goodness!) and was clean to swim in. The beauty of the lake makes it worth stopping at as well. It is nestled in the Hazelton Mountains and is home to a variety of wildlife. There is a trail that wraps part ways around the lake and it is a beautiful walk with interpretive signs along the way. It is a good lake for camping, fishing, canoeing, swimming and picnicing. There are picnic benches and a sandy beach there for your enjoyment.
Next time while traveling Highway 16, be sure to make a stop at Seeley Lake and take in some of this beauty you can only find in Northern British Columbia.
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Attractions
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Today a friend and I went for a drive towards Prince Rupert to go on an adventure to find John Little Falls. We pulled into Exstew Rest Area about 35 km west of Terrace and there was a memorial sign for John Little, a soldier from Terrace who died in Hong Kong in 1942 at the age of 20. The water falls are located 5 km on the right hand side of the road after this rest area and can be seen directly from the highway.
We could not find a trail or road that took you directly to the falls, but there is a small pull out where you can park and view the falls from a distance. It is a beautiful waterfall nestled among the green trees in the valley of a mountain. Keep your eyes open for these falls while traveling Highway 16 west between Terrace and Prince Rupert.
August 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Sightseeing Tours
Trapline Mountain is one of Terrace's top secret spots to view beautiful glacier lakes and walk around at an altitude of 4,700 feet among the peaks of mountain tops. I was lucky enough to head up last weekend with some family friends and took some photographs of the beauty around this mountain.
To get to Trapline Mountain head up Copper River Forestry Road for 22.6 km and then the road forks, follow the right up the mountain until you come to the top. It is a beautiful easy walk, and a chance to see the top of a mountain without a vigorous hike. This is also a prime snowmobile location as well as mountain biking.
Trapline Mountain is a breathtaking experience and a wonderful trip for a relaxing adventure.
August 06, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Nelson, Hot Springs
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For all you hot springs lovers out there Ainsworth Hotsprings, located north of Nelson, is one not to miss.
What makes Ainsworth Hotsprings unique is not only the beautiful scenery, with its setting on the side of the Purcell Mountains looking over a Kootenay Lake, but the 150 foot horseshoe cave that branches out of the outdoor pool. It is a really a cool experience to swim through the warm water through a cave. Mineral water comes down from the roof of the cave and forms the 3 foot deep pool in the caves. This process also forms stalacites all over the roof of the cave.
It was one of my favourite hotspring experience and I highly recommend making the stop when travelling through the Kootney Rockies of British Columbia.
August 04, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Festivals & Events
This year I got to experience some of Terrace's fantastic week at their annual Riverboat Days celebrations. It started off with an opening ceremony in the downtown park, followed by the next day with a lively farmers market, parade, live music, sporting activities, and fireworks. It was a super fun week full of events for all age groups and maturity levels! Riverboat Days is at the beginning of August every year so be sure to come to Terrace at next year for a fun week full of exciting activities.
My favourite Riverboat Days event is always the parade, and this year did not disappoint. Attached is a short film full of pictures and videos I took of this years parade. Enjoy!
Editor's note: Riverboat Days is an annual event in Terrace. Learn more here.
July 30, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Fishing
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One of my favourite adventures my family did while visiting Haida Gwaii was clam digging on North Beach in Naikoon Provincial Park, just outside of Old Masset.
We went out early morning, when the tide was low and brought along shovels, buckets, and big rubber boots. The trick we discovered was to look around on the sand for quarter sized depressions. My family was taught to stomp your feet a few times around these depressions, and if the sand moves that means a clam is burrowed underneath. The next step is to dig with your shovel, and reach your hand in fast enough to grab the head of the clam. It's exciting and a little exhilarating to do the whole thing as fast as you can to try and grab the clam. Even if you don't have much luck catching them (like myself!), it is still a lot of fun to stomp around trying to find the locations of the clams.
No license is required for clam digging and you are allowed to catch 12 clams per person. I highly recommend clam digging as a fun, unique family activity to do while visiting the beautiful Haida Gwaii.
July 28, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Sightseeing Tours
Twin Spruce Trail is located on the site of Lakelse Lake Provincial Park, just 18 km south of Terrace on Highway 37. It is a beautiful 2 km trail that takes you through an old growth forest, full of ancient trees, culturally modified trees, creeks, and over boardwalks and bridges. It is an easy trail, and a perfect walk for a mix of nature and relaxation.
July 28, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Hiking
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We took a trip up to the Nass Valley up Hwy 113 and got to participate in a guided tour up to the volcano cone. It started at the Visitors Centre and then we drove part ways up a mountain, and then continued to hike the rest of the way to the cone.
It was a beautiful trail, and an interesting experience, as our guide shared stories of his ancestors and what they used certain trees and berries for. When we reached the top of the cone, we were graced with a legend told by the guide, as well as a 'Taste of the Nass', which featured samples of food from the Nass Valley such as oolichan, dried salmon, fried bread, blueberry jam, salmon hash, and smoked sea lion.
It was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend taking the tour. The tour leaves every morning at 10am from the Visitors Centre and be sure to phone at least 24 hours in advance for the 'Taste of the Nass'.
July 24, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Queen Charlotte City, Hiking
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One of my most fondest memories of travelling Haida Gwaii was hiking the Cape Fife Trail and walking out towards Rose Spit and back towards Tow Hill on the north end of the island. Now don't get me wrong, it was long and grueling. We tried to do it in one day but ended up cutting off going all the way to the end of Rose Spit. It took us 11 hours and we ended up walking about 30km.
It was fun, dirty, and challenging, with the trail being full of fallen logs, mud swamps, thick forest, ocean viewpoints, and sandy beaches. It is beautifully scenic to be completely surrounded by green - trees, moss, ferns, grass and old growth. Then to walk on the completely open beach is a whole new experience, as you trudge through the thick sand. What a journey and an experience of a lifetime.
I would suggest doing just the Cape Fife Trail, or going all the way out to Rose Spit in two days, in order to be able to thoroughly enjoy one of the most serene locations in beautiful British Columbia.
Editor's note: Learn more about hiking on Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) here.
July 22, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Sightseeing Tours
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When heading from Terrace to Prince Rupert, if I could recommend a "must see", it would be the Butze Rapids Interpretive Trail.
Located directly before Prince Rupert off Highway 16, it is a beautiful 1.5 hour walk (4.5 kiometres) to stretch your legs, go on an adventure with the children, or walk the dogs. It takes about 30 minutes (1.9 kilometres) to reach a viewing platform that looks out over the Butze Rapids. What makes these rapids unique is during tide changes between high and low water, the river can be seen reversing directions.
My family once went out with a picnic and watched the tide come in, and saw the rapids begin to change directions. It is a fascinating natural feature not frequently seen. The walk itself is very striking. It is such an experience to walk through a path completely surrounded by moss, ferns and other greenery.
This is a must when visiting the north coast in order to get full immersion into the beautiful rainforests of British Columbia.
Editor's note: Learn more about things to do in Prince Rupert here.