June 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Valemount, River Rafting
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Problem: A hot summer day, and
you’re dying to cool yourself off somehow.
Solution: Take a dip in the
instantly refreshing 7°C waters of the Fraser River.
Obviously that wouldn’t be a
sensible thing to do by yourself, but you can turn it into a half-day adventure
by going on a whitewater rafting trip. There are several rafting companies
located in the Valemount area, and we chose Stellar Descents just west of Tete
Jaune Cache.
After the safety briefing it was off on the bus – already sporting
our very form-fitting neoprene suits
– to the launch site. Once all bundled up with helmet and lifejacket, we
departed from the banks of the Fraser with a magnificent view of a cloudless
Mt. Robson in the background.
The first ten or so minutes of the trip are gentle,
and allow rafters the chance to get used to the boat and how to properly
paddle. Then we hit the first moderate rapids, which got everyone into the
rafting spirit and already provided a few cool splashes of glacial water. After
several more challenging rapids (ranging from 1-3+, on a scale out of 6), it
was time to pull over the boat about half-way through the trip. The reason:
Rearguard Falls, a whopping class 5 waterfall that even the guides treat with
significant respect.
After hauling the raft up a little incline we had a chance
to explore the newly installed viewing platform over the falls, which is
literally suspended over the water and takes visitors as close to the
thundering – and earthshaking – masses of water as possible. On the other side
of Rearguard Falls we climbed back onboard and were soon off into the wildest
rapids of the trip, causing the raft to rise and fall, sway back and forth, and
washing over us a number of times. After the last rapids of the trip are
navigated, the waters become much calmer and we were allowed to jump into the
Fraser for a refreshing dip. Mind you, when it comes to glacial water the term
“refreshing” is a bit of an understatement, but on a hot summer day like the
day we went it is definitely worth trying out.
Soon thereafter we were back on
shore, loading the raft onto the trailer and heading back to where we had
started. And just like that three hours had passed – hours in which you
experience the unique feeling of complete concentration as your mind focuses
entirely on the roaring waters ahead of you. Such intense focus is almost
meditative – until a swell of icy water hits you in the face and catapults you
right back into paddling for what it’s worth!
Roam plenty and roam safely,
Your Traveller13
Image courtesy of Stellar Descents
June 26, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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If you’re looking to get away
from it all for a little while – and doing so on horseback – Triple J Ranch
just north of Quesnel is the right place for you.
Upon our arrival we were
greeted by Martin, the owner and our guide for the afternoon. After saddling up
we set out for a small waterfall on Ahbau Creek, passing through forest and
over wide-open meadows on our way. The trek took about an hour each way, and
the stop at the waterfalls was a welcome opportunity to stretch our legs and
enjoy the scenery.
On a side note, wildlife is abundant in the area, and the
chances of seeing bears or deer are quite good. While our ride lasted about two
hours, visitors at Triple J Ranch have the opportunity to customize their rides
to both their skills and endurance levels – from leisurely one-hour rides to
rides lasting multiple days.
Triple J Ranch also offers special events such as
a wagon train to historic Barkerville. Add to that gentle, well-trained horses
and a group of hosts that really go out of their way to make your experience
special, and you’ve got yourself a great “Cowboy Experience”!!
Roam plenty and roam safely,
Your Traveller13
June 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Clearwater, Parks
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Wells Gray Park is located just north of Clearwater, in the heart of British Columbia. When we arrived we first stopped at the Visitor Centre to get an update on trail conditions, then entered the park and made Spahats Falls our first stop. After a short walk from the parking lot, visitors can marvel at how the stream of water has steadily eroded the rocks beneath it and carved a deep trench into the side of the cliff from which it spews.
We then took a drive up Trophy Mountain (leaving behind most of the other visitors, many of whom only venture as far as Spahats Falls). As you ascent the mountain you can see the view open up, and one can enjoy a wide-open south-facing panorama from the top. In later summer, Trophy Mountain's flowers burst into bloom, giving homage to its name.
After descending back into the valley, we drove to Dawson Falls, which is a wide, roaring, and intense albeit not high waterfall. Our last stop for the day was Helmcken Falls (see attached photo), which, at 141 metres, is the fourth highest waterfall in Canada.
Wells Gray Park is a gem located only a short to moderate drive from much of central BC, and many of its sights (including more than 250 waterfalls in the area) can easily be seen on a 1-2 day trip. We saw several bears while in the park, and in general chances of wildlife sightings are quite good.
Roam plenty and roam safely,
your Traveller13
Photo credit: Alex Schare
June 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Hiking
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Have you ever wished you could travel through time? Well, wish no longer! While the future is still written in the stars, near Prince George you can take a trip back through time – way back.
To reach the launch pad for our epic journey throughout time, we travelled a scenic 113km east of Prince George on Highway 16, seeing moose and black bears along the way. With any luck, some of British Columbia’s magnificent wildlife will also flank your path to what has become known as “the Ancient Forest”. Inconspicuously nestled just off the highway is an ecological treasure – the world’s furthest inland rain forest, an astonishing 800km from the Pacific coast.
While I was sceptical about the existence of a rainforest just off the highway when standing in the parking lot, a rich, heavy, moisture-laden cocoon of forest air enveloped us as soon as we entered the Ancient Forest and unmistakably signified that we were indeed in a rain forest. And then you see them: the peaceful giants of the forest. These up to two thousand year old behemoths stand right next to the trail (think moderate gradients and sturdy footwear), and proudly boast their unfathomable circumference and height.
The scents and smells of the forest air are as rich as the ecological history embodied in the trees, and one follows the trail in a sense of silent amazement. When one of the brethren dies and falls, it returns its nutrients to the earth and thus its death spawns new life – allowing visitors to wander between fallen giants that are covered in and surrounded by fresh new growth.
Everything in the Ancient Forest is bigger – the trees, the ferns, and the awareness that as humans we are only privy to a snapshot of the cycle of life. As we made our way along the trail we reached Treebeard Falls, a picturesque cascade of clear, fresh water down a moderate rock face and further down the creek. After taking a little rest here and indulging in the timelessness of our surroundings, the trail took us gently back downhill and delivered us into the parking lot after a 90 minute hike.
Then, as you see the first car zip by on the highway, you know that as quickly as the cocoon of damp forest air recoiled when you left the Ancient Forest, you have arrived back in a different world in which time is measured in minutes, and minutes are considered precious. No longer are you in a world that counts time in centuries and millennia, and you can’t help but think that for the brethren of the Ancient Forest, your visit has come and gone in the blink of an eye.
So if you find yourself in the area, do be sure to make the time to visit these peaceful giants. By raising awareness of their ecological history and significance we can make sure that these behemoths, which have been around far longer than any one human, will have the opportunity to grace many more generations with their presence.
June 09, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Parks
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Connaught Hill Park is the highest point in the downtown Prince George area and offers visitors a pleasant 360-degree panorama of the downtown area. In the summer, the park bursts into bloom with well-manicured flower beds and is always a popular spot with visitors. I visited with some guests from overseas and they enjoyed the opportunity to take a stroll amid the flowers and take in the panorama of Prince George without having to leave the downtown area. Whether you go for 10 minutes or an hour, Connaught Hill Park makes for a nice stroll and a great photo opportunity.
Roam plenty and roam safely,
Your Traveller13
Photo credit: Flickr
June 08, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Museums
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Recently I visited the Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George. Located only a few minutes from downtown (and appropriately right by the railyards!), it makes for a great excursion on a nice day.
I started by looking around the exhibits in the main building, and then proceeded to the outdoor area. There, you can visit a great number of different locomotives, railway vehicles, and train cars (including exotic ones such as the Royal Car that carried Prince Charles and Lady Diana on their travels in Canada). The forestry aspect of the museum should also not be missed, with a great variety of equipment on display.
The outdoor area is quite large and does not feel crowded even on a busy day, and for kids there is a miniature train that runs around the perimeter (including through a decommissioned beehive burner), leaving from the miniature train station at the main building.
Overall it's a fun place to visit, especially for those with kids or with a general interest in trains and forestry.
Roam plenty and roam safely!
Your Traveller13
June 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Revelstoke, Hiking
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Just outside of Revelstoke I had the great pleasure of hiking in the "Meadows in the Sky". A scenic parkway winds its way up from Highway 1 to Balsam Lake, scaling a vertical distance of over 1000m on the way. When we visited (during the height of summer), we could already see the different flowers in bloom along the road as we drove further up the mountain.
Once at the top we visited the "Icebox" (a spot that is shaded in such a way that snow persists year-round), and then began hiking. It was quite extraordinary to see the alpine meadows explode into bloom during their short growing season.
On a clear day the views down into the valley are spectacular, and we took a moderately strenous hike to an alpine lake. Those brave enough can jump in for a dip, but most people just take the opportunity to breathe the clear mountain air, relax for a moment, and take in the spectacular surroundings. The beauty of the Meadows in the Sky is fleeting, so if you find yourself in the Revelstoke area in July or August, I highly recommend taking a hike in this alpine flower garden.
Photo copyright: Parks Canada
June 07, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Prince George, Parks
Have you ever wanted to gain an overview of Canada's diverse flora without having to travel through the entire country? Now you can! Goodsir Nature Park, located just north of Prince George, offers you the opportunity to experience over 200 kinds of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers from all over the country - all within about 3kms of nature trails.
The park was designed and developed by Jim Good, who has had a lifelong interest in trees and flowers and developed the park on his own property. When we arrived, we were greeted by Jim himself, who first showed us around his plant museum.
Covered floor to ceiling (no exaggeration) with exhibits and pictures, this small museum was a great introduction to the various ecological zones and biological diversity of Canada. We then went on a guided tour of the park, seeing all kinds of trees, shrubs and flowers on our way. During the summer the view changes almost daily as different flowers bloom, and with a bit of luck one might also see bears, moose or deer along the way. And for those interested, the park also includes a small gift shop where one can purchase recordings of the natural environment or beautiful photographs of the plants in the park.
Goodsir Nature Park is a quite unique experience, and anyone interested in flowers and trees would most certainly enjoy a visit there.