 Moose Valley Provincial Park near 100 Mile House, Birgit Bienek photo
100 Mile House is located on a plateau in south-central British Columbia, within the South Cariboo part of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region. Highway 97 runs through the center of town 458km/284mi northeast from Vancouver and 95km/60mi south of Williams Lake.
Grasslands, Forest and Desert The countryside in and around the community is quite diverse and ideal for outdoor activities. Parts of the area covered in rich grasslands and thick forests, overlaying ancient lava beds. To the west of 100 Mile, there is the rocky, desert-like terrain of the Fraser River canyon region, and to the east, the lush rainforest of the Cariboo Mountains in Wells Gray Park. While forests and grasslands predominate, the mountains are not far away. Just 21km/13mi south of 100 Mile House, towering Mt. Begbie Lookout provides excellent views as far as Wells Gray Park in the northeast and the Marble Range to the southwest. Wetlands and Parks The plateau on which 100 Mile House sits at 930m/3051ft high, is covered by hundreds of lakes and wetlands of varying sizes. This network forms part of the Fraser Basin drainage system, which contributes to 100 Mile's excellent fishing and bird-watching opportunities. Residents are land-proud, and many make their homes on acreages rather than subdivisions in town. As such, 100 Mile has a more relaxed, rural feel that's not that far from town centre. Nearby parks add to the diverse eco-culture here, and abundant four-season outdoor adventure opportunities abound and are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Various community organizations have developed and maintain literally hundreds of miles of multi-use trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding and ATVing. Climate and Weather The climate is relatively dry, with warm, summer days and cool nights. Day time temperatures often reach 30°C/86°F and average rainfall is 294mm/11.5in. Winter can bring icy temperatures, dipping down as far as -40°C/minus 40°F with an annual snowfall of 150cm/59in. Visitors are cautioned that winter temperatures and weather extremes are common, as are fogs bringing low visibility. Cars or trucks should be winterized and equipped with snowchains and visitors should drive extra cautiously during these cold snaps.
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