May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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After a guided hike through The Hills’ boreal forest and rolling meadows typical of the Caribou region, past Sucre Lake and a visit with a Red-Tailed Hawk, we were fortunate enough to experience the property from another perspective, on horseback. Upon arriving at the stables, four of the horses we had previously awed over grazing the property had already been saddled-up for us, fed, and were ready to go!
Bryce and Laura, two of the Hills’ experienced and friendly wranglers, quickly showed us the ropes of basic riding techniques before setting out through the forest and up to a lookout showcasing the beauty of the surrounding area; views of the Ranch, 108 Lake & its community, and the seemingly endless landscape beyond.
Having never ridden horseback before, we joked about my riding the tallest, fastest and least predictable of horses. A beautiful, white beast of a horse named Dawn was appointed to me and Amber rode General, which we later learned to be a born athlete. However regardless of my own inexperience, it turned out to be Bryce who was bucked off when his own horse was mysteriously spooked as he attempted to hop on. A little embarrassed over the endeavor, he calmly “got back on the horse”, adding legitimacy to the age-old adage. Although we were impressed with his composure throughout the incident, Laura simply giggled and reminded him that he now owed her a case of beer as his hat had fallen from his head in the midst of all the madness.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Hiking
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A short drive 15 minutes west of Quesnel, up Baker Drive, brought us to the trailhead of Pinnacles Provincial Park. A short saunter from the car, through the forest on a well-maintained trail, brought us to a fork. Luckily for us we had run into some folks from Oregon at the trailhead who were just returning, advising us to stay left to avoid the longer route. Pressed for time and unaware of where this mystery route would take us, we pushed aside the notions of the late Robert Frost and chose the path more traveled, as advised by the Oregonians.
A stone’s throw from the fork brought us to a fenced lookout showcasing the park’s most valuable assets, the hoodoos. Impressively sculpted naturally pinnacles standing guard over the valley. They sat just beyond the fence line, in the foreground of the magnificent Fraser River. From there, the path continues along the fence allowing increasingly impressive views of the natural wonders, the raging river and the quant town of Quesnel.
However for this adventurous soul it wasn’t enough. Following an alternative trail bringing me closer to the hoodoos exposed more of their natural magnificence and revealed the rock’s fragility that had allowed their formation. Not only that, but it lead me far enough astray as to separate me from my partners in hike and extend our route beyond what the Oregonians had warned us against. Time restraints and worried friends aside though, the path less traveled again made all the difference.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Wells, Sightseeing Tours
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A week or so before the official opening of Bowron Lake Provincial Park, home to the infamous Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit, we found ourselves cold, wet, and overwhelmed by this vast, still winter wonderland. With only secondhand stories and photos to form our preconceived notions of the park, we jumped at the opportunity to stray from our planned route and see what all the fuss was about.
Leaving Wells and traveling towards Barkerville, we turned off towards Bowron traveling less than 30 kilometers down a decent gravel road, entering the Park from the northwest. Although the remaining snowpack, variable weather and our own lack of preparedness limited our visit to a chilly lunch on the beach and a short exploration of the launch site and nearby infrastructure, the detour nonetheless proved worthwhile. Isolated from most modern signs of civilization by its remoteness, seasonality and the scale of its landscape, Bowron provided a truly serene backdrop that reminds us of why so many fall in love with this beautiful country and why we are proud to call British Columbia home. Even still, the challenges and rewards of the Circuit preoccupy my mind and I can only hope to be lucky enough to return at a later, warmer date to explore further.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Wells, Dining
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A week or so before the official opening of Bowron Lake Provincial Park, home to the infamous Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit, we found ourselves cold, wet, and overwhelmed by this vast, still winter wonderland. With only secondhand stories and photos to form our preconceived notions of the park, we jumped at the opportunity to stray from our planned route and see what all the fuss was about.
Leaving Wells and traveling towards Barkerville, we turned off towards Bowron traveling less than 30 kilometers down a decent gravel road, entering the Park from the northwest. Although the remaining snowpack, variable weather and our own lack of preparedness limited our visit to a chilly lunch on the beach and a short exploration of the launch site and nearby infrastructure, the detour nonetheless proved worthwhile. Isolated from most modern signs of civilization by its remoteness, seasonality and the scale of its landscape, Bowron provided a truly serene backdrop that reminds us of why so many fall in love with this beautiful country and why we are proud to call British Columbia home. Even still, the challenges and rewards of the Circuit preoccupy my mind and I can only hope to be lucky enough to return at a later, warmer date to explore further.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Wells, Dining
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View a larger image on flickr.com
A week or so before the official opening of Bowron Lake Provincial Park, home to the infamous Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit, we found ourselves cold, wet, and overwhelmed by this vast, still winter wonderland. With only secondhand stories and photos to form our preconceived notions of the park, we jumped at the opportunity to stray from our planned route and see what all the fuss was about.
Leaving Wells and traveling towards Barkerville, we turned off towards Bowron traveling less than 30 kilometers down a decent gravel road, entering the Park from the northwest. Although the remaining snowpack, variable weather and our own lack of preparedness limited our visit to a chilly lunch on the beach and a short exploration of the launch site and nearby infrastructure, the detour nonetheless proved worthwhile. Isolated from most modern signs of civilization by its remoteness, seasonality and the scale of its landscape, Bowron provided a truly serene backdrop that reminds us of why so many fall in love with this beautiful country and why we are proud to call British Columbia home. Even still, the challenges and rewards of the Circuit preoccupy my mind and I can only hope to be lucky enough to return at a later, warmer date to explore further.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Gardens
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Driving though the Cariboo region made me feel like I was in a Clint Eastwood movie. The rolling hills and meadow out here are dry and unforgiving, but majestically beautiful with snowcapped mountains, rushing rivers, peaceful lakes amongst stands of birch, pine and spruce trees. Along our journey form the 108 mile ranch to Likely we encountered numerous birds from black-tipped pelicans, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, Groase. While driving on the back roads and trekking through the wild spaces we encountered moose, deer, chipmunks, black bears.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Fishing
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We arrived at Northern Lights Lodge, a traditional 1940’s dwelling in Likely BC. Here we were warmly greeted by Skeed the owner of the lodge, a quick witted man with a fantastic sense of humor.
He gave us a tour of the 4 beautiful chalet style cabins above the central part of the lodge which overlook the pristine lake. The room I had stayed in for the night was very cozy, log cabin feel with fitting memorabilia (books, pictures) and a modern bathroom. The dining lodge made us feel like we’d stepped into the wild with Grizzly bear, moose over a beautiful stone fire place, deer, a cougar mounted in the loft, and eagles perched from the raptors. A lovely fire was burning at all times and the coffee table was piled high with albums of past fishing, eco-tours memories.
After the tour of the lodge grounds he took us out to Quesnal forks down a windy gravel road where we travelled back in time to a historical Chinese ghost town/graveyard. We walked amongst the graveyard paying respect to the miners of Likely who lost their lives.
We reached a spectacular view point of the river, here Skeed explained where the gold mining operations had taken place and also, the exhilarating river rafting this area provides. Next, we continued our journey through Likely’s history at their very informative, and well organized Museum.
When we arrived back at the lodge we ate a delicious home cooked meal prepared by Sharon. We savored our meal telling jokes and listening to the incredible stories of the interesting guests, trips they have guided.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Quesnel, Farms & Markets
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When we arrived at Moose Meadow’s farm the friendly owner Heloise made us a hot cup of java and gave us a run down of her agritourism business that specialized in birch syrup, wreath making and much more. Next, she gave us a fabulous tour of her 65 acre farm. She showed us the famous “Sugar Shack” where buckets of the birch sap are put through a wood burning evaporator during the month of April. We sampled 3 varieties of this sweet yet unique birch nectar. We were surprisingly shocked with the rich, incomparable taste of birch syrup to maple syrup.
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Golden, Kayaking & Canoeing
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Despite the cool Spring in the Kootenay Rockies, the water levels of the Kicking Horse River have been steadily rising. This means one of Canada's premier paddling rivers, and BC's very first Canadian Heritage River, is about to become a playground for kayakers and rafters again for another summer. Tourism Golden has just launched a water level info page so paddlers can get up-to-date river beta to better make travel plans. Go to www.tourismgolden.com and follow the links through Things to Do - Summer Activities - Kayaking and Canoeing.
Please watch the attached video for inspiration!
May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
100 Mile House, Accommodation
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The Arcona House B&B is convenient for travelers as it is close to the highway. I was amazed to hear how many Loons were singing as I watched them fly over the lake. If you enjoy bird watching this is the spot for you so bring your binoculars. I love hiking and if you do as well make sure to take advantage of the trail system that surround’s the large lake. I enjoyed eating my dessert outside while watching the impressive sunset. Being that we were far from the city lights the view of the lake from my bedroom window and the full moons reflection over the lake was a real treat.