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August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Mount Robson, Hiking
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For anyone out there that loves a great hike, then I would seriously recommend hiking Mount Robson just on the border of British Columbia and Alberta. This great hike can be done by the easier of beginner hikers all the way to the well advanced. The first section of the trail up to Kinny Lake is quite easy and wheelchair accessible so that anyone can do it. Because it is always open to the elements though, the trails can sometimes get a bit dirty and muddy and make wheelchair travel a bit more difficult, but not impossible. Beyond Kinny Lake, the trail goes all the way up the mountain to the top to Berg Lake, some amazing cakes, and of course a giant glacier. The well advanced hikers can make it all the way up to the top and back down to the bottom again in one day, but for those more willing to take their time, you can camp at various locations along the way up the mountain at many different campsites. There are some incredible waterfalls along the way at Emperor Falls, and some amazing scenery as well. Some of the scenery I swear could be used to film a dinosaur or Jurassic Park movie. Mount Robson is the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains and I definitely recommend this hike to anyone out there, either a nice day hike or a couple day hike to the top.
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
New Hazelton, Attractions
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Located in the Hazeltons, the Hagwilget Suspension Bridge crosses a huge canyon over the Bulkley River. This single lane bridge is a spectacular sight for anyone lucky enough to see it. It connects you to the Gitksan-Wet’suwet’en traditional territory and is on the way towards ‘Ksan and the nearby Gitksan village of Kispiox where their famous Totem Field is located. The This magnificent structure is one of many single-lane bridges in the area, but this one is by far the most spectacular one and it is a must to see. If you are on your way to ‘Ksan or the Kispiox Totem Field then make sure you add this bridge to your list. Get out of your car and take some pictures, and for the brave ones, go stand in the middle of the bridge when cars are crossing over. The bridge will shake with the vibrations of the cars and will definitely get your stomach turning a bit when you look down at the fast flowing Bulkley River below.
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Fishing
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While making a stop along Highway 16 in Moricetown, I would seriously recommend a stop at Morice Canyon. While here you can see firsthand some fishing done with the traditional First Nations gaff. The gaff is a long wooden pole with a large curved fish hook on the end of it. They fish by thrusting the long hook into the water and spear the salmon coming downstream for the spawning and loop it around on the hook. This traditional style is not done as often anymore because from talking to a few fishermen, they said that they could struggle for quite a few minutes with the salmon and it end up getting away. The salmon would then be too injured to survive the attack of the gaff and would die downstream. We also saw many of these fishermen instead fishing with the great big huge nets. They never kept all of the fish they caught because they have more than enough to feed their families. Sometimes they were catching in excess of one hundred a day amongst all of them, but had no need to keep all of those fish and would release most of them. It was really awesome to watch and I recommend going right down near water level to get a much better look at the action taking place!
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Attractions
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When you find yourself in Smithers next, I recommend that you make the stop to visit the beautiful Twin Falls located just outside of downtown Smithers. It is a nice easy hike into the park where the falls are located and then from there you must prepare to be amazed! The two falls, thus the name of them, are both magnificent in their own right but yet totally different from the other. They are both really tall waterfalls but one of them (pictured) has a much higher flow of water coming from it. You can hike up and stand right below the falls and get completely soaked from the spray from them. We were absolutely soaked from all the spray, but since it was a beautiful warm day it was easy to get dry again by just stepping away from the falls and back into the sun. It’s a really nice hike up towards the falls across many rocks and the slow areas of the river from the waterfall, or you can stick to the path that they have there. Any level of experienced hikers can do the trail and probably enjoy it just as much as I did. Get out there and experience the magnificence that is Twin Falls!
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince Rupert, Historic & Heritage Sites
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The North Pacific Cannery in Port Edward should definitely be a must see stop on any travellers list while travelling in the Prince Rupert area. Located just a short distance outside of Prince Rupert, Port Edward is a beautiful little area with a lot of history. The cannery, which was shut down in 1980, holds a significant piece of history for the area. Fully operational during the 1900s, the cannery supplied jobs to many Chinese, Japanese and First Nations peoples, who lived in company housing right on the site with their families. In the 1950s the cannery took down two buildings and then built three brand new ones along with four great big cylinders used for fish oil extraction. The cannery housed a very substantial assembly line where the fish would come in, be clean and bones removed, gone through blades to cut them to pieces, and then eventually making their way to the final stage where they would be placed into tins and sealed for shipment. The fishing industry was a significant enterprise back then, and while it is still today in that region, the cannery was shut down. The workers would definitely have had to deal with a very strong fish smell from living and working in that area for so long. Many of the buildings today have not been as well preserved and are falling apart in some areas, but the current employees of the National Historic Site are working hard to maintain what they have remaining and to do repairs on the current site. Next time you find yourself in this area, definitely check out this National Historic Site of Canada - the North Pacific Cannery!
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Festivals & Events
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This annual event is always something that I look forward to, and yet again this year is the same. The Prince George Exhibition (PGX) happens every year for the last 99 years and they still continue to put on some great entertainment. From the heavy horse pull, tractor pull, logger sports, fireman challenge, bull riding, heritage lane, home arts and horticulture, 4H competitions, live music, daily performances, great food from the food court, and of course all of the rides, the PGX continues to be a thrill for thousands of people every single year. There are many other fairs, exhibitions, and rodeos throughout the year, some a lot bigger and some a lot smaller, but the PGX always seems to provide great entertainment at a reasonable price. Where else can you go with your friends and family for five full days and have fun doing and seeing different things everyday? Most places of entertainment close up early but the PGX goes late all the time and even later on the weekends. All you have to do is pay one flat rate and you can come and go as many times throughout the day as you please. One of my favourite parts about the fair definitely is the bull riding and the rodeo clowns. The PGX always provides great entertainment and fun for everyone of all ages. Next year is the 100th Anniversary of the PGX and I can only expect an even bigger and better show than they have ever done before!
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Theatre & Performing Arts
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If you find yourself in Prince George and really want to see some theatre, Theatre Northwest is a really great opportunity. I have seen many plays here over the last couple years, and every single time I have left quite pleased as they put on some really amazing shows. They bring in professional actors from all over Canada and act some really amazing plays. Even if you don’t see yourself as a theatre person, I would recommend giving this theatre a shot because I don’t see how you could be disappointed. Time after time they have made me enjoy it and wanting to come back for more. I have checked out their new schedule for this coming year and they have many new plays which I hope to see a few of. Anyone else who may be interested I would definitely make the stop and check them out!
August 12, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Accommodation
Purden Lake Resort is a great stop for those heading along Highway 16 East from Prince George. While it is a resort with campsites, tenting and cabins, it also has a really awesome little café where you can stop and get some food. They have recently completed a large log cabin for their new café, but they still provide the same great food. One of my favourites from stopping here is the homemade pie and ice cream. The pies are so crispy and fresh and the ice cream is amazingly creamy and soft. It’s a great stop for pie no matter which season it is. Of course they also have a great selection of other foods to fill you up and get you on your way as well. I recommend everyone make a stop at Purden Lake Resort on your next trip out east.