August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Attractions
On a sunny afternoon, my dad and I were in a mood for a board game; however, it was a gorgeous day outside. The solution we decided was to go play Chess or Checkers on the massive game boards in the Village of Hazelton!
If you’re looking for a picnic location this facility has a nice picnic table, a basketball court, and two awesome board games! We had a ton of fun, and I’m sure you and your kids will enjoy it as well!
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Attractions
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After the temperature drops in Hazelton and it’s far too cold to even dream of swimming, locals can often be seen heading out to Ross Lake Provincial Park. During the winter months Ross Lake, the lake that four months earlier was our retreat on hot humid days, is commonly used for several activities including Cross Country Skiing, skating, hockey, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.
Countless times over the years, the temperature has dropped far below freezing before the snow gets a chance to fly. On these days the lake is as flat as glass and locals flock to the lake to skate and play hockey. This usually occurs in December when the weather is cool and crisp. With Roche de Boule as a backdrop to the lake, not only is the lake a source for hours of fun, but the views of the mountain are incredibly clear.
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Golf
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The Kispiox Valley, located near Hazelton, is home to the annual Kispiox Valley Rodeo, the legendary Kispiox Valley Music Festival, world renowned steelhead and salmon fishing, spectacular scenery, and a golf course?
Last night, I had my very first golfing experience at a golf course in the Kispiox Valley called Mossy Acres. Mossy Acres is nestled beside the Kispiox River with breath taking 360 degree views of mountains, glaciers, and an abundance of cotton wood trees.
My friend and I arrived at the relaxed golf course, signed the guest book, placed our $5 each in the Tupperware bin and Tee’d off! We played the nine holes and I thoroughly enjoyed my first golfing experience and I must say I think I’m hooked.
There was no better place for me to learn how to play golf as for the first 6 holes we had the course to ourselves and I could swing and miss the golf ball without being too much of an embarrassment to my golfing mentor. Between the stunning scenery and the utter fun of the game, I cannot wait for my next Mossy Acres golfing adventure!
Mossy Acres is located in the Kispiox Valley, past the rodeo grounds, across 17 mile bridge, and 5 minutes down poplar park road. Look for the sign, it will be on your right!
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Festivals & Events
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Every second week of August the Village of Hazelton celebrates Pioneer Day! As a result of gold being found in the Omenica in 1860 and the abundance of trapping in the area, Hazelton was founded in a response to the demand for access from the coast to inland BC. Hazelton was the furthest a sternwheeler could travel on the Skeena River.
The pioneer days in Hazelton were a bustling time, the bars were open three hundred and sixty five days a year, twenty four hours a day, and you would pour your own drinks! Mail and emergency supplies were brought in by dog sleds and pack horses when the steamers couldn’t get up the river and often mail only came twice during the entire winter season!
Although life is no longer like this in Hazelton, the locals love to celebrate our towns’ pioneer roots each August. Among the buildings of “old” Hazelton, which have been maintained in a 1890 vintage style, you will find locals participating in iron chef competitions, apple bobbing, riding on horse wagons, dressed up like pioneers, and watching the parade, as well as dancing up a storm Saturday night at the pioneer dance. Pioneer Day in is always the second Saturday of August – be sure to drop by Hazelton and travel back in time with pioneer days!
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Skiing & Snowboarding
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Last February as my university studies began to weigh heavily upon my shoulders and dreary wet weather in Victoria had me chilled to the bone, I anxiously jumped on a plane home dreaming about the legendary powder, the incredible groomed runs, and the steeps of the double black diamonds on
Hudson Bay Mountain in Smithers.
I spent the week of my reading break soaking up the mountain sunshine, shredding the powder, and carving the groomers on the ski hill. Upon my return to Victoria, my friends compared their tans from Hawaii, while I excitedly showed off my goggle tan from Hudson Bay Mountain.
Over the years, I have realized how incredibly lucky I am to have grown up with a great ski hill that has predictable snow, often in the form of champagne powder, within an hours drive of New Hazelton. If you are ever in Northwest BC during the winter definitely check out Hudson Bay Mountain near Smithers for your ski or snowboard fix!
August 11, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Hiking
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When we were hiking on the northwest ridge
of Blunt Mountain we were absolutely amazed to find a huge array of mountain wild flowers clustered in an approximately 25 meter radius.
Many of the
wildflowers were growing straight out of the rocky dry ground, making their
beauty even more spectacular as the fight they obviously faced to survive at
1700 meters was incredible.
The flower’s beauty was so breathtaking that we put
our hike on hold and took pictures. I hope you enjoy this brief glimpse of
the wildflowers we encountered while hiking last weekend!
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 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Hiking
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Blue Lakes Trail is a 5km hike, which leads to two gorgeous
alpine lakes, glaciers, and flower meadows. Blue Lakes trail is undoubtedly one
of the most popular hikes in the Hazelton area.
On a beautiful Sunday
afternoon, my family and I went for a hike on the trail. We were not surprised
to meet over 24 people, both locals and visitors, also hiking on the freshly
groomed and incredibly well maintained trail! Some groups were even camping at
the second lake.
The brilliant
blue hue of the lakes appears to be warm and inviting, so after lunch we
decided to dip our feet into the upper lake; however, we quickly discovered
that the lakes were far too cold to even wade into, as 30 seconds in the lake
was painful!
To access Blue Lakes Trail you will travel east on Highway 16 for
9 kilometers and turn right onto an unmarked gravel road, after travelling on
the road for about 500m you will see a Blue Lakes Trail sign. The first 2.5kms
of the gravel road are easily driven with a standard vehicle; however, the next
1.7kms do require a four wheel drive. The parking area is 4.2km from the
highway and from there you will enjoy a 5km walk to the two gorgeous
lakes!
Editor's note: Learn more about hiking near New Hazelton here.
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Jean Jacques Caux, also known as Cataline, is one of BC’s most famous packers and lays to rest in Hazelton! Cataline is buried in an unmarked grave in the Hazelton Pioneer Cemetery.
When Cataline passed away in 1922, he expressed that he wished to be buried in a grave marked only by a rock and a horseshoe overlooking the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers. For years, I have curiously wondered about Cataline’s unmarked grave and its location in the Hazelton Pioneer Cemetery.
One afternoon, a co-worker and I decided that we were going to solve the unmarked grave mystery. We prowled the graveyard for some sort of hint, we hoped in the form of a horseshoe, as to Cataline’s final whereabouts. After about a half hour of searching, we had nearly given up when we finally noticed a pile of rocks with the hints of a faint outline of a horseshoe located in a prime confluence viewing location. We had found the spot of Cataline’s final resting place as the grave we found matched the photo in the Cataline brochure we have at Hazelton Area Visitor Centre!
One of my favorite stories about Cataline tells the tale of Cataline’s cure for baldness. Cataline loved cognac and after each drink he would rub a bit on his head. The statue we have of Cataline outside our Visitor Centre depicts him with a huge amount of hair – perhaps his cognac worked!
August 10, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Historic & Heritage Sites
One sunny afternoon a couple of friends and I felt that it was a perfect day for a drive. We set out with the Moricetown Canyon as our destination. The Moricetown Canyon is located 35 kilometers from New Hazelton on Highway 16.
Once we arrived at the canyon, not only did we see the Bulkley River tumble through a fifteen meter wide canyon and falls, but we also had the opportunity to watch local Wet’suwet’en First Nations men fish with dip nets. It was fascinating to watch them pull massive salmon out of the turbulent water with apparent ease and grace.
We were also mesmerized by the many salmon relentlessly attempting to jump the falls as they journeyed up the Bulkley River. As you are travelling along Highway 16, be sure to stop by Moricetown Canyon!