August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Hiking
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If you look over the skyline in Dawson Creek you are bound to notice the wind turbines turning away on Bear Mountain. This beautiful scene is part of the Bear Mountain Wind Park, located 12.5 km outside of Dawson Creek. This wind park is the first of its kind in British Columbia and one of the most technologically advanced wind parks in the world. The type of turbines installed on Bear Mountain are called Enercon E-82’s which are gearless turbines that emit virtually no mechanical sounds making it the quietest wind technology available globally today. The wind turbines in Dawson Creek produce between 2,000 and 3,000 megawatt hours each in a year, that’s enough energy to run up to 300 households per wind turbine! With 34 turbines currently on Bear Mountain that means that in total the wind park produces enough electricity to power 10,200 households per year! The turbines are also outfitted with the most modern blades possible. These turbines are not only a marvel of modern technology they also provide an opportunity to experience the great outdoors while learning more about the benefits of green energy. Along the wind turbines (starting around turbine 24) there is a 9km walking trail. This trail provides some of the most spectacular views of Dawson Creek and the Peace Region. On a clear day it is possible to see all the way out to the Rockies. I have been out there a few times myself and I have to say that turbine 14 has the most amazing view a person could hope to see. If you’re lucky enough to arrive for sunrise or sunset it is incredible to watch the sky, valleys, mountains and of course turbines be painted with orange, purple, pink and red in the warmth of the sun. A picnic lunch, dinner or breakfast are definitely all options up on the mountain and make for a beautiful and memorable day.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Shopping
Dawson Creek, though small, has some wonderful shopping opportunities. In the downtown area there are some spectacular locally owned and run shops that cater to almost every whimsy. One of the local treasures is the Olde Creek Store, located a block down from the Mile “0” Post. I love going into this store, their stock is always rotating and they always have amazing things in: old and new. If antiquing is your thing, then this store is a definite must. They carry an eclectic mix of new and vintage, some of the vintage stock is absolutely breath taking. My personal favourite collection of theirs is the antique books they have in the back. They are marvellous! There is an eccentric mix of books: from old medical journals to Hardy Boys. My mothers favourite part of the store is their jewelry collection. You honestly cannot leave this store without buying at least one trinket. The staff is always friendly and super helpful.
If after Olde Creek Store you’re shopping itch still has not been scratched be sure to check out Simple Pleasures, for another locally owned store with an array of stock: from kitchen items, to hand made soaps, to bags and purses. If you are shopping for little ones, next door to Simple Pleasures is the Northern Toy Box, a store that is sure to satisfy the kid in everyone! And, at last, if you’re a crafter, knitter, crocheter definitely drop by B&T Ceramics for all your hobby’s needs. Shopping in Dawson Creek’s downtown area is perfect for everyone and a great side expedition if you’re taking part in the Historical Downtown Walking Tour. If after all this walking and shopping, you’d like a cup of coffee and something to eat, drop by one of the many locally owned coffee shops and cafes in the area.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Beaches & Swimming
The Kiskatinaw River is a wonderful river to spend the afternoon. It is my favourite place to pack a picnic lunch and head out to! The Kiskatinaw is a generally pretty shallow, slow moving river which means that it is fantastic for swimming! All along the river bed you can find either polished river stones or wonderful sandy beaches. If river swimming isn't your thing, a hike along the river valley just might be! My favourite thing to do (after swimming of course) is to wander along the Kiskatinaw, there are some beautiful things to see! The best swimming is right under the historical curved wooden bridge, the river is slow and the sand is so soft!
Attached to the river is the Kiskatinaw Provincial Park, which is a nice place to stay the night after a long day of swimming or hiking. Each campsite comes with a fire pit and a picnic table, but no power hook ups or water supplied. The Kiskatinaw river valley is full of natural beauty and wildlife, and is a great place to spend an afternoon or even a couple days. The first thing you will notice is how quiet it is here, even though you're not that far from the highway, it’s still a very serene place to stop.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Auto/Transportation (Air, Land)
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The Kiskatinaw Curved Wooden Bridge is a section of the original Alaska Highway and a true engineering wonder! The new highway is now rerouted due to safety concerns over heavier commercial activity on the bridge. The Kiskatinaw River stumped engineers because of its sharp turns and steep banks and because of this natural twist and turns of the river, the famous curved bridge was created in 1942 during the construction of the Alaska Highway. This marvel was constructed in only nine months and is still standing strong today.
I frequently take the trip out to the Kiskatinaw curved bridge; it is quite a simple trek! The bridge is located about 25 minutes from Dawson Creek, at mile 21 of the Alaska Highway. All you have to do is travel North on the Alaska Highway (97 North), and on your right hand side there will be a sign notifying you to turn off onto this historic route! The road is a little bumpy, but it is definitely do-able, even if you are in an RV. A lot of people, me included, park off to the side and walk the bridge. I highly recommend this, because the views of the river valley are absolutely breath taking and a must take picture for the photo album. This small detour is worth the history and the views!
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Parks
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The BC Peace Region is full of a wide assortment of wonderful wildlife. Since we are situated in vast areas of open wilderness, wildlife is never far from your front door. A very common visitor to country gardens is deer. You will probably see these everywhere, especially in the early morning and at dawn. They are frequent residences of farmer’s fields which, when you travel through the North East BC Region, are generally right beside the road! These guys are the smaller cousin’s of moose and elk. In our area, we have two species of deer: white tail and mule deer. You can distinguish these two apart by the colour of their tails! White tails, as you can probably guess, have a white, fluffy tail where as mule deer have a black tipped tail. Mule deer are the most common out of the two kinds you’ll see here, but every now and then you will catch a glimpse of a fluffy white tail bouncing through a field!
Another common face you’re going to see in the BC Peace is the deer’s big cousin: the moose! The moose has become synonymous with Canada, and is one of our most recognizable wildlife visitors. Moose are large, awkward, and generally placid animals but they should not be confused as being friendly. Their funny faces and knobby knees make it seem like they would be great company, but in reality these guys are better left alone. It's always best to use caution when traveling early in the morning and the evening, as moose are more active on the roads around this time.
There are more than just moose and deer in this area though! There are brown bears, black bears, elusive cougars, lynx in the mountains and of course the infamous grizzly bear. If birding is more your thing, natural wetlands that litter the Peace Region country side attract a large variety of birds that are sure to peak your interest! From loons, to Canadian geese, to (my personal favourite) the friendly whiskey jacks (or grey jay/camp robber, etc). There are many different kinds of small mammals in our area as well! Such as the temperamental wolverine, sly weasel, and majestic flying squirrels! The squirrels obviously don’t have wings up here, but they do have extra flaps of skin that work like wings as they leap and glide from tree to tree.
The Peace Region offers a wide range of different wildlife that you are sure to encounter up here, what I’ve talked about is not even the tip of it all! There is such a large variety here to discover that I am sure you’re constantly going to be entertained by our region’s wonderful wild animal activity.
August 12, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Attractions
One of the most frequently asked questions I encounter as a Tourism/Visitor Information Councilor in Dawson Creek is: “what can I do in this part of the country?!” My answer to this is usually “what can’t you do in this part of the country!” The Peace Region is filled with natural beauty, historical interests and adventure packed outdoor recreation for all you adrenaline seekers! So, to make things a little simpler for your Peace Region trip planning needs here are the top ten things to see and do around the Peace!
1. Learn about the rich histories that this region has to offer! Dawson Creek has some of the best museums and historic walks you can find! Stop by the Northern Alberta Railway museum located in the Visitor’s Centre, which is the original building that once housed the railway station from 1931; the same station that brought American Soldiers to build the Alaskan Highway! After you are done make sure to check out the other side of the museum which houses natural history of the region as well as history on Dawson Creek! For more historic tales about Dawson Creek, ask one of the T/VIC councilors about the Dawson Creek Downtown Historical Self-Guided Walking Tour and they would be happy to show you on your way for a fantastic tour of all the historic monuments and murals of the Mile “0” city. After you have finished at the NAR Park be sure to head down to the Walter Wright Pioneer Village. This heritage museum is a recreation of Dawson Creek pre-Alaska Highway. Walk along the boardwalk and check out historic houses, schools, churches and shops. Once you are done reliving the 1920s, head to the Village of Pouce Coupe and stop in at the Pouce Coupe museum. Though small in size, this museum is a treasure trove of different information on the region as well as the Village its self! For a little bit of a different history, be sure to take a trip down to the Tumbler Ridge Dinosaur Museum to learn about the Peace Region’s prehistoric inhabitants! Be sure to investigate the museums in Fort St. John, Chetwynd and Hudson’s Hope for even more of historical journeys through time.
2. Fulfill all your hiking needs on one of the many beautiful hiking trails in the region! Enjoy a leisurely hike with gorgeous views of the valley along the rim rock trails located at the Bear Mountain Wind Park. If you’re looking for a bit of variety, be sure to stop in at the Dawson Creek or Tumbler Ridge visitor centers to pick of a map of all the hiking trail heads in and around Tumbler Ridge. These trails come in a range of difficulties and lengths; there is sure to be a trail that will fit everyone’s needs and wants!
3. From August to May be sure to catch magnificent displays of northern lights in the night sky. This ten month span is the best to catch some of the most breath taking lightshows! So once the sun sets, be sure to turn your head towards the skies for a chance to catch one of the world’s most brilliant natural performances.
4. Get an insider’s peak at life in natural wetlands at McQueen’s Slough. Located about fifteen minutes outside of Dawson Creek, this boardwalk through a nature preserve is sure to excite birders and wildlife enthusiasts a like!
5. In early August, come down to Dawson Creek to check out the Annual Fall Fair and Rodeo. This event has been dubbed “The Biggest Event in the Peace” and is sure to please everyone in the family! There is a full sized midway, with rides for little ones and adrenaline seekers alike. The rodeo portion holds all sorts of events from bull riding to barrel racing. If you stick around long enough, you can catch the Pro Chuckwagon races, which draw in crowds from all over the USA and Canada.
6. Drive a portion of the old Alaska Highway and experience history and an engineering marvel as you cross the world famous Kiskatinaw curved wooden bridge. Located at Mile 21 of the Alaska Highway, this is a must see if you’re going North or if you’re just in the region.
7. The views off the bridge are spectacular but the swimming under the bridge is even better! So pack a lunch, bring your camera and a swimsuit because you’ll be sure to spend the afternoon enjoying all the Kiskatinaw River has to offer.
8. Go to the Rolla Pub, located fifteen minutes outside of Dawson Creek. This little pub out in the country is jammed packed with local history, endearing locals and friendly staff.
9. Dip your feet in the mighty Peace River! Drive ten minutes on highway 2 outside of Dawson Creek to Pouce Coupe and head down to the Pouce Coupe Park. The river is a five minute walk away.
10. Lastly, partake in one of the amazing day trips around the BC Peace. Leave from Dawson Creek, goto Fort St. John, Hudson’s Hope, Chetwynd and loop back to Dawson, or go from Dawson Creek to Chetwynd down to Tumbler Ridge... really which ever route you want to take is sure to be alight with majestic wildlife, quaint towns, and gorgeous natural scenery.
There are so many things to do in the Peace that it’s hard to fit them all onto one list. Be sure to stop in at a Visitor Centre or ask a local and you’ll embark on an experience of a lifetime!
August 11, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
Find more information about Dawson Creek - Cultural, Community or Seasonal
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Geocaching is a growing activity in the Peace Region with more and more caches being registered and more geocachers coming to seek them out every day. For those of you who have never heard of geocaching it is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunt. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or GPS and can then share their experiences online.
Geocaching in the Peace Region is relatively new, but in Dawson Creek there are plenty of places to explore and pick up a few smiley faces. Each geocache location is a unique representation of the extraordinary nature of the Peace Region and of Dawson Creek’s distinctive history. There are geocaches of every level in Dawson Creek. For beginners there are some that are just on the side of the road or right by local businesses. For the more experienced geocacher there are caches that require more of a hike and some powers of deduction. These geocaches can also vary based on fitness level, while some are wheel chair accessible others require walks in the wilderness.
Geocaching is a great way to get to know any region and spend some time in the great outdoors. Whether you’re on vacation with the family or if you’re flying solo and just want some fresh air geocaching is the way to go. With new caches popping up in Dawson Creek all the time you’ll be hard pressed to keep up with all the amazing stories that arise with each find.
Go on an adventure with geocaching!
August 11, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Cultural, Community or Seasonal
Find more information about Dawson Creek - Cultural, Community or Seasonal
It is Fall Fair week in Dawson Creek, which means it’s time to trade in sandals for boots, khakis for a pair of Wrangler jeans and to put on a cowboy hat. It’s time to embrace the spirit of the west and become a cowgirl/boy for the week. Some might feel a little hesitant about this kind of environment, but everyone from the Peace Region knows that we’re all here to have a good time and try some new experiences.
The first step to becoming a cowgirl/boy for the week is the clothes. Try on your first pair of cowboy boots (they even come in pink, or flaming red!), maybe look around at the fair booths where you might find the right cowboy hat just waiting to be tried on. To complete the outfit, you can never go wrong with a pair of Wrangler jeans. Once you’ve got your get up on you may find that infamous western swagger coming naturally. There’s something about wearing a cowboy hat and or boots that just feels right. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly develop a strong southern accent as well!
Now that you’re properly outfitted why not take in some of the livestock exhibits and familiarize yourself with the famous livestock of the west. Cattle, llamas, sheep, goats and of course horses are all at the fair so you can not only admire them but also learn more about what they’re used for on ranches and their importance to the Peace Region.
Now that you’ve learned all about the horses it’s time to try riding one! If you go down to the Agriplex at the EnCana centre near the Fair Grounds in Dawson Creek they’ll be happy to talk to you about trail rides as well as riding inside the track for beginners. Learning how to ride a horse is an exciting experience and this is definitely the week to try it! Once you’ve tried it yourself you’ll definitely be able to appreciate the riders in the Pro Rodeo happening in the grandstands every afternoon. Barrel racing, calf tying and bronco and bull riding are just a few of the exciting events featured in pro rodeo. They’re speed, agility and horsemanship will leave you with your jaw on the floor.
Fall Fair week is always a fun time for the community in Dawson Creek where we can all come together to celebrate western culture. It is one of the best times of the year to try something new and will leave you with fond memories of “that one time” you got to be a cowgirl/boy for a week.
August 10, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Chetwynd, Arts, Culture & History Tours
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On a beautiful Saturday afternoon I ventured from Dawson Creek to Chetwynd, which is about 100 kilometers west on highway 97 South. The destination was to find out what Chetwynd had to offer. Right when we hit the Chetwynd town limits we realized there was something to see. Chetwynd is filled with wooden statues we didn’t realize the story and experience behind it! I went to the Visitor Centre to find out more. Once inside the Visitor Centre staff let me know that these intricate wooden statues/pieces of art were made by chainsaw! The Visitor Centre staff then truly made this destination a great experience – they walk groups of visitors around the town to share the story of each chainsaw carving. So I thought I would indulge – the staff member brought me around to the newest carvings from the latest competition and talked about the inspiration of the carving, the artist and answered any questions I had about HOW you carve a statue from a tree trunk! These chainsaw carvings are a must see for anyone!
August 10, 2012 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Auto/Transportation (Air, Land)
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Last week for the first time I headed north to the Yukon along the Alaska Highway. The highway was fantastic and I had a very enjoyable journey! I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of wildlife I saw along the way. There were moose, black bears, deer, dall sheep, caribou, and plenty of bison to my amazement! The bison at times were gathered right on the highway, and it was interesting to see them from such a short distance. I can’t think of another stretch of highway where I have seen so much wildlife!
The scenery along the highway is very lovely. I was stunned by how beautiful it was! The landscape varies with plenty of boreal forest, mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes along the highway. One view I found particularly beautiful was all the fireweed growing by the trees, however the whole drive I found to be quite wonderful in terms of scenery. Thankfully there are plenty of places to pull over if you want to take pictures. There are also quite a few places to camp and hike along the way if you want to spend more time exploring and taking in the beauty of the areas.
The highway itself was fairly well maintained. It was paved with the odd small patch of gravel, but nothing too big to worry about. For fuel there were several places to stop and gas up in between the major towns. In the future I hope to return on a less time restrictive schedule in order to really take in the beauty of the highway and the surrounding areas.