July 31, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Hiking
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In the heart of Prince George, there are several hiking and leisure walking trails that are available for use. There are several starting points to the trail that can be accessed from main parking lots. The trail length is 12.5 kilometers in total and can be accessed from 2 parking lots off of Foothills Boulevard and one parking lot off Ospika Boulevard. There is one outhouse on the trail, at the main starting point on Foothills. The trail encircles a meadow that is often home to several species of wildlife including deer, moose and red foxes and coyotes. If you are an avid birdwatcher, Moore's Meadow is the best place that you could position yourself. On more than one occasion, I have seen a bald eagle and sparrows in and circling the area above the main path. I recommend the trail as a hiking path during summer, spring and fall. The colour changes are absolutely remarkable and the scenery is a treat to those looking to experience the wilderness in their own backyard. Although the trail is a most common use area for hikers and runners, it is also popular for mountain bikers looking for a leisurely ride. In some sections, there are off leash areas where you make take your dog for a walk and let it run free in the meadow. The trail is composed of packed earth and wood chips and in some sections there are tree routes sprouting from the ground!
The park is also a great spot for those interested in being a part of the history of Prince George!! The meadow is based from a ground upheaval sometime during the ice age thousands of years ago!
Pop into the Prince George Visitors information center to get more information on Moore's Meadows and several other trails in Prince George!!
July 31, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Camping
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Being at Muncho Lake simply put is bliss. You forget about everything else going on around you, it is so serene. It is even better if you can get in a boat or kayak or any form of floaty and be out on the actual lake. The glacier water appears greenish blue in colour, you are enclosed by mountains and forest, it's spectacular.
There are four camping facilities within the park along the lake. Two provincial: Strawberry Flats which is the first one you pass as you enter the park and McDonald which is just a couple km's past Northern Rockies Lodge. Both have 15 sites available and cost $16.00 a night per site.
Northern Rockies Lodge is quite a grand facility, they have the big main lodge, cozy cabins, lake chalets as well as RV spots. Gas & Diesel is available here as well as a restaurant with some excellent Swiss dishes I must say. (try the schnitzel!) They offer numerous different fly in fishing and sight seeing packages, trips into Nahanni National Park and much more. If you're looking to spend any length of time on Muncho Lake this is one of the nicest places to do it.
Finally in the park just a couple km's past the McDonald campground is the Muncho Lake RV Park. This is where I spent a weekend in June with some friends. Equipped with numerous sites, we were nestled off to the side in the bushes a bit for some privacy. Unfortunately they don't do any type of boat rentals that I know of but if you have a boat or can get your hands on one I seriously urge you to get out on the lake. Words can't describe how wonderful it is. Whether you are ripping around in a jet-boat pulling tubes or floating with the music going and fishing in the sunshine. It will wow you and likely make you not want to leave. I contemplated not coming back but a girl's gotta pay for school somehow, so spending all summer relaxing up the highway wasn't quite a feasible option. I go up as often as I can and I encourage everyone to do the same, Cheers!
July 31, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort Nelson, Sightseeing Tours
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In June I ventured up to Muncho Lake to do some camping with friends. As someone who has lived in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) for most of my life I have driven this route many times. Yet still every time I do I am blown away by the scenery. I am so lucky to be only a few hours from beautiful lakes, natural hot springs, rivers, and plenty of wildlife. I go to school in the city for the fall and winter months now and coming home in the summer really makes me appreciate the area I come from.
As you go along the Alaska Highway heading northwest to Muncho Lake or further there are lots of stops and sites to take in. First is the Steamboat Mountain lookout. Only about 45 minutes up the road from Fort Nelson it is a nice little pull out to stretch your legs and look down into the Muskwa River Valley.
Tetsa River is stop number two, the regional campground is very well maintained and has sites right close to the bustling river. Tetsa River Services, another stop in the park has massive delicious cinnamon buns, definitely a can't miss.
Toad River lodge, about another half an hour up the road is known for there very large hat collection. Stop in to check it out, it's a neat thing to see all of them attached to the interior roof. Their restaurant has awesome food as well, a great stop for lunch or ice-cream break for the kids. Also if you walk around to the back often you can see moose way out in the pond bathing.
Shortly past Toad you will enter the Muncho Lake Provincial Park, the views are honestly amazing. When you get to the start of the lake the road narrows and you hug the mountain as well as the lake. Slowing down allows you to take in the greenish blue colours of the glacier water and most likely see a bunch of stone mountain sheep on the side of or in the middle of the road licking the pavement.
I have heard many people complain about the windiness of highway 97 in this area but I think it makes it all the better. It forces you to slow down and take in the surroundings. All along the highway there are many places to stop and fish as well as camp or quad. With so much within reach sometimes I wonder why you would ever want to leave such a magnificent setting. This short blurb is a mere insight to the vast amount of area in the N.R.R.M. It is worth a trip up here to experience it all for yourself.
July 30, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Dawson Creek, Biking
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One thing I have grown to absolutely adore while out riding my bike in the Dawson Creek and the surrounding areas is the rolling fields of canola, barley, wheat, etc. I am from Vancouver Coast so this is a treat! By being in the region for the summer I have been given the opportunity to see the patchwork of crops created to bloom this time of year. I sit on one of the peaks of the hills on Sweet Water Road just north of Dawson Creek and admire the many shades of yellow (canola fields), greens and browns. The back drop of the Peace Region skies amazes me as well, clouds forming and moving in many ways and speeds. My imagination can just go wild in the sky. Not to mention while riding the back roads of the area, is also the sweet, fresh smell of the farmlands. With the views and fresh air all for free in the backyard of Dawson Creek, I am very lucky to have the opportunity to observe and experience this season here in Dawson Creek. Until next time… Happy Chains!!
July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Sightseeing Tours
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Have you ever visited Smithers and wondered what we’re up to with our many different statues? Or maybe you’ve heard about our over grown alpenhorn man, or our ‘phantom grizzly bear’? Well even after 17 years of living in the area I myself still had questions about our crazy mascots; so last night I decided I’d take the time to find out what they we’re all about.
First off I stopped by the Smithers Regional Airport to check out our legendary ‘phantom grizzly’ this enormous bear (weighing in at 1020lbs (460kg) was accused guilty of killing upwards of 30 heads of cattle in the Bulkley Valley, Some of this cattle weighed as much as 1500lbs (682 kg). Our bear was no ordinary bear; he was the bear version of Houdini, despite the conservation officer’s best efforts our grizzly escaped from multiple snares and traps. He was finally captured by Conservation Officers in the fall of 2001 and is now the first thing you see as you slept into the Smithers Airport.
After the airport I came back to town and took a stroll around town to check out some of our other attractions. First off I dropped by and said a hello to Alpine Al; our lovely mascot waiting to great you on Main Street. How we finally landed on an alpine man? Well we have Alderman Andy Stalker to thank for that one. In 1972 suggested that a theme was introduced to the town, As Bavarian and other European themes were popular the alpine theme was an ideal choice. And how on earth did we come across a 7foot high statue with a 10 foot long horn you may ask?? It was started with a hotel in Christina Lake burning down; fortunately for Smithers our beloved Alpine Al stood strong and hung in there (it helped that he was in the middle of a fountain). So Andy and his son Glen travelled to Christina Lake to pick bring Al home. We are proud to announce that Alpine Al is a very happy man in his new home on Main Street!
We also got to see many more; including, a goat, a pack horse, a fisherman, and even a woman laying some rail road! I fully encourage everyone to check out at least a few of these spectacular monuments and there fabulous stories!!
July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Attractions
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...well actually there is no old lady, but it IS a shoe! I visited one of Smithers' most fantastic but little known points of interest - the "shoe house"!
I only recently found out about this house and I just had to go see it for myself! I was a little shy about going to gawk at a stranger's house, but the owner and builder, Ed, has been quoted as saying, "would I have built a house that looks like a shoe if I didn't want people to come look at it?", so I'd say that's as good of an invitation as any!
The shoe house is located on Kitseguecla Lake Rd, which is about 8 km East of Moricetown on Hwy 16. The trees have grown up around it a bit (compared to this photo that my friend took years ago - sorry, didn't have my camera for a current shot!), so I parked my car on the road and got out for a better view. The house was originally a trailer, but Ed built an addition and added the shoe-like details.
I just couldn't help but smile while checking out this unique house! Don't miss this photo op during your next trip through Smithers/Moricetown.
July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Sightseeing Tours
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It's a great time of year to see some of Northern BC's most beautiful wild flowers! I recently took a scenic drive into the Babine Mountain Provincial Park outside of Smithers to see all the flowers growing in the fields and along the road.
I began my drive by heading up the Old Babine Lake Rd passed Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. There are a few flowers to be seen on this leg of the drive (really, it's hard to notice anything else but the gorgeous mountain views!), but the best flowers begin shortly after Driftwood Canyon. I followed the road as it passed over a couple of one-lane bridges which span the Driftwood Creek before coming to a large field on my right side. This field was covered in colouful wildflowers, ranging from the classic Oxeye Daisy and Yellow Buttercups to the invasive-but-still-pretty Red Hawkweed.
As I continued my drive over more one-lane bridges and into the Babine Mountain Park, the wildflowers became more diverse and could be found right alongside the road. The 20km park speed limit gave me a great excuse to take my time and enjoy the scenery! I saw Wild Roses, the large white Thimbleberry flowers and the smaller white Bunchberry flowers, and lots of Indian Paintbrush as well. In a couple select spots, I was also able to find my favourite - Red Columbine! I always enjoy seeing how the different plants grow in intermixed groups, providing an awesome mosaic of colours against the vibrant green foliage.
I turned around at the Harvey Mountain trail head and headed for home, but I look forward to returning to this area later in the summer to see all the late-season flowers like Fireweed and Yarrow. So while you're keeping your eyes out for moose and other wildlife on our Northern BC highways and rural roads, make sure to take note of our beautiful coloured wildflowers along the way too!
July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Langley, Historic & Heritage Sites
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Sometimes the places you've never visited are the ones that remind you strongly of home. Down in Campbell Valley Regional Park, near the border between Langley and the United States, there's a small pioneer homestead that stands in a clearing between dense forest on three sides.
If you approach it like I did - from the parking lot of the regional park - you cross through a set of meadows dotted with picnic tables, bordered by massive rhododendrons and groves of ill-tended hazelnut.
The field in front of the house is empty, save for the blue Chevy truck that belongs to the caretaker, who in fact lives in the home and maintains the hundred-year-old gable-roofed barn and its comparably modern neighbour, a 1939 gambrel hayloft.
You are free to try the door on the outbuildings; the house is off-limits to afford the caretaker some privacy. Walking around, I was struck by the property's emptiness and yet also by its humanity. The image of the broad unsown field, the historic house with plastic lawn chairs and a windchime out front, the deep forest menacing behind and tall clouds billowing across a blue sky is somehow accurate - the homestead is by no means a place beyond time, but the feeling it creates is ageless.
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The Campbell Valley Regional Park Visitor Centre is located off of 8 Ave. just east of 202 St. in Langley, BC. The homestead is properly called the Annand/Rowlatt Farm, after its two principle owners.
July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Terrace, Festivals & Events
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2 months ago on fathers day (better late then never) my dad and I took a drive up to terrace for the weekend to check out what was new and much to our surpise we came across the Terrace Drag Race Association (TDRA) Fathers Day drag race and car show! Even the sun came out just in time to enjoy a great day of racing!
There were so many amazing cars, trucks, bikes and even sleds racing through out the weekend, i had a few personal favorites such as an amazing red Harley Davidson Shovelhead!! This bike isnt one you would be able to see on the street, its all about racing! Which is why my friends, family and I are heading up to Terrace for this long weekend aswell for TDRA's "Hot August Nights" racing on Sunday July 31st and Monday August 1st, and were planning on going down to check out the year end races on Saturday August 27th and Sunday August 28th as well! We're hooked now, and I cant wait to feast my eyes on the zippy little red bike again!
If you wanted to learn more about the Terrace Drag Races check out their website (its become one of my favorite sites) their site comes complete with schedules, photos, points, and much more!
July 29, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Smithers, Wildlife Tours
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I recently rediscovered my inner child and went searching for frogs and salamanders! As a kid growing up in Northern BC, my sister and I spent many hours hunting for amphibians in our neighbourhood. I always loved that feeling of turning over a piece of wood and finding those big beady eyes staring up at you!
My recent excursion took place on the shores of Lake Kathlyn in Smithers, but any moist, wooded area near you will likely do the trick! It took me a few minutes to find the right hunting spot, but my patience was rewarded with numerous great finds! My photo is of a salamander that I found inside an old log (the best place to find salamanders by the way - a nice moist rotting log on the forest floor!), but I also found a few toads of miscellaneous colours and sizes hopping around in the swampy areas next to the lake. Our rainy summer has provided great amphibian homes this year!
The numbers of amphibians in Northern BC are declining every year, so I really encourage you to get your hands dirty and learn about these critters in their natural habitat before it's too late! Contrary to popular belief, you won't get warts from touching frogs...and I've kissed a few as a kid and they didn't turn into princes either :) Just please be very gentle if you choose to pick up any toads or salamanders and carefully return them to exactly where you found them.
Happy hunting!