Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Things To Do

Choose a Trail

• Barkerville and Surroundings: For a relaxing, creekside stroll, follow the last 1.6 km (1 mi) of the Cariboo Waggon Road between Barkerville and the Richfield Courthouse.
  
• Williams Lake River Valley Trail: Your walk begins in a park-like expanse scattered with trees, then continues across open grassland and past magnificent cliffs before reaching the river.

• Farwell Canyon: Surrounded by ancient, pillar-like sandstone formations called hoodoos, hikers can look for ancient pictographs and view one of the largest shifting sand dunes in Canada.
  
• Spruce Lake: Follow Tyaughton Creek Trail along a valley bottom to the mouth of Lizard Creek; from there, climb to scenic Elbow Pass.
  
• Tweedsmuir Provincial Park: Hike the Rainbow Range Trail that passes stands of pine and fir before reaching the open alpine and a small lake.

• Alexander Mackenzie/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail: Explore this legendary trail, first used by Alexander Mackenzie under the guidance of the Nuxalk and Carrier peoples.
  
• Barkerville and Surroundings: Yellowhawk Trail is a path through the alpine and sub-alpine meadows of the Cariboo Mountains.
  
• Spruce Lake: High Trail and Warner pass Trail offer advanced hikers challenging elevation gain over a variety of terrain.
  
• Tweedsmuir Provincial Park: Those looking for a challenging wilderness experience can tackle the north half of the park, which offers exceptional hiking and backpacking opportunities in the remote Quanchus Range.

Hiking Trail Highlights

Alexander Mackenzie/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail

In 1793, Alexander Mackenzie was the first European to complete an overland journey across North America north of Mexico. The Nuxalk and Carrier peoples, long-time inhabitants of the present-day Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, helped to guide him through the region. Today, you can explore this legendary trail by land and water.

Day trips along the historic route are accessible by gravel road from both Quesnel and Prince George, near Highway 97. Or, at Burnt Bridge Creek near Bella Coola, take the scenic two-hour loop trail at the western border of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, which traces Mackenzie's path along the base of 1,000-m (3,280-ft) cliffs and glaciers.

Experienced backpackers can plan ahead and hike the 350-km (217-mi) outback portion of the trail in three weeks. A food supply drop at the halfway mark is essential. Shorter hiking segments are also possible.

A large section of the trail takes hikers through the scenic Rainbow Range, a vibrantly coloured volcanic mountain range in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

To reach Sir Alexander Mackenzie Provincial Park - the westernmost point of Mackenzie's journey and where the explorer inscribed his famous words: "Alex Mackenzie from Canada by land 22nd July 1793" - you must travel by boat, just as Mackenzie did.

The main trailhead begins next to a parking lot on Blackwater Road, off Highway 97 near Quesnel and Prince George.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: difficult
• Approximate time required: varies by route
• Best time: August - September
• Be aware that portions of this trail are on or near private property

Barkerville and surroundings

Follow the Gold Rush Trail to historic Wells - Barkerville. Along the way, you'll walk the old mining and forestry trails of prospectors and miners, traversing through some of the most colourful history and diverse hiking terrain in BC.

Yellowhawk Trail is a 10.5-km (6.5-mi) path through the alpine and sub-alpine meadows of the Cariboo Mountains. The trail leads past a tiny but charming lake before reaching the 1,993-m (6,540-ft) summit of Mount Murray. The 4-6 hour roundtrip is rated intermediate to advanced. You can access the trail from Bowron Lake Road, 3 km (2 mi) off Highway 26.

The extensive Mount Agnes Trail Network begins behind Barkerville. You'll ramble through alpine meadows and enjoy splendid mountain views. For a relaxing, creekside stroll, follow the last 1.6 km (1 mi) of the Cariboo Waggon Road between Barkerville and the Richfield Courthouse. The road, originally 642 km (400 mi) long, was built by hand between 1862 and 1865. In summer, you can see a re-enactment at the Richfield Courthouse of the courtroom once ruled by Judge Begbie, the region's famous "Hanging Judge."

Numerous loop trails branch off from the Cariboo Waggon Road through the famous gold fields.

Wells and Barkerville are located on Highway 26, one hour east of Quesnel.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: easy to difficult
• Approximate time required: varies by route
• Best time: late June - early October

> Barkerville website

Farwell Canyon

Cut from the Chilcotin River and carved by time, Farwell Canyon provides an unforgettable experience. The canyon is surrounded by ancient, pillar-like sandstone formations called hoodoos. Look for ancient pictographs. Atop the canyon you'll view one of the largest shifting sand dunes in Canada - an awesome sight.

A 45-minute (each way) trail brings you to the sand dune. Climb it for an amazing view of Farwell Canyon. Keep an eye out for prickly pear cactuses, which can make walking difficult; proper footwear is essential. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from blowing sand.

In spring, bighorn sheep are often seen roaming the area and, in fall, watch First Nations fishers climb the canyon walls to dip net for salmon.

Farwell Canyon is found off Highway 20 on Farwell Canyon Road, one hour southwest of Williams Lake.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: moderate with steep, rough sections
• Approximate time required: varies by route
• Best time: April - October

Spruce Lake

The multi-use Spruce Lake Trails are located in South Chilcotin Provincial Park, a wilderness park that protects a number of intact watersheds and headwaters. Highlights of the terrain include mid-elevation grasslands, sub-alpine and alpine meadows, alpine lakes and mountain peaks. Native wildlife species include bighorn sheep, mountain goat, mule deer, wolverine and grizzly bear. Watch for bears and store and cook food away from campsites.

Gun Creek Trail (moderate) gains 650 m (2,133 ft) in elevation over 22.5 km (14 mi) and takes about 3 days to complete, roundtrip. It starts at Jewel Bridge, in the park’s south end, and follows Gun Creek to a junction with Deer Pass and Warner Pass trails. About halfway along, you can take a short detour to Spruce Lake.

High Trail (difficult) gains 1,000 m (3,281 ft) in elevation over 20 km (12 mi). It takes about 2 days to complete, roundtrip. Starting at the south end of Tyaughton Lake, it extends through the Lower Eldorado Basin and over Windy Pass and terminates at the south end of Spruce Lake.

Warner Pass Trail (difficult) gains 750 m (2,461 ft) in elevation over 21.5 km (13 mi) and takes about 4 days to complete, roundtrip. It starts near the cabin at Trigger Lake and follows Warner Creek to Warner Lake. From there, it climbs to Warner Pass and then descends alongside the Taseko River to a mining road at Battlement Creek.

Tyaughton Creek Trail (moderate) gains 600 m (1,969 ft) in elevation over 31 km (19 mi) and takes about 4 days to complete, roundtrip. It starts off the Mud Creek Forest Service Road, on the southeast side of the park. Following Tyaughton Creek, it extends through grasslands along a valley bottom to the mouth of Lizard Creek. From there, it climbs to Elbow Pass.

Spruce Lake is located north of Pemberton and northwest of Lillooet, off Hurley River Road and Highway 40 respectively. Access is via rough, unpaved roads through the community of Gold Bridge. Float plane service, maps and tour guides are available at the Tyax Mountain Lake Resort. The best time for hiking is June through September.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Level of difficulty: moderate – difficult
• Time required: 1 day – multi-day
• Length: 160 km (99 mi) of trails

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park

The 981,000-ha (2.4 million-ac) Tweedsmuir Provincial Park enchants visitors with its volcanic Rainbow Mountains, high-elevation pine forests, flowering meadows, glacial-capped peaks, dramatic waterfalls and plentiful wildlife sightings. These include grizzly and black bears, caribou, wolves, moose and mule deer. Mountain goats and marmots can often be spotted from the highway.

Tweedsmuir has two main hiking areas: Rainbow Range and the Hunlen Falls/Turner Lake Chain. Hike the Rainbow Range Trail, a 7-km (4.3-mi) route that passes stands of pine and fir before reaching the open alpine and a small lake. The moderate hike is 4-6 hours roundtrip with an elevation change of 300 m (984 ft). Start at Highway 20 near the park's east entrance and Heckman Pass. You'll get a close-up view of the vivid volcanic mountains from other, multi-day hikes in the area.

Venture onto one of the many trails in the Hunlen Falls/Turner Lake area. Hike in to Turner Lake and continue on to the area around Ptarmigan Lake for many multi-day trail options. Alternately, hikers can fly in to Turner Lake for a half-day hike to see Hunlen Falls plunge 253 m (830 ft) into the Atnarko River. Turner Lake is also a popular starting point for a three- to five-day canoeing trip.

Those looking for a more challenging wilderness experience can tackle the north half of the park, which offers exceptional hiking and backpacking opportunities in the remote Quanchus Range. Hikers in this area should be completely self-sufficient or should enlist the services of a professional guide. Access into the area is by float plane.

Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is 4-5 hours west of Williams Lake on Highway 20.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: moderate to difficult
• Approximate time required: varies by route
• Best time: mid-June - mid-September

> Tweedsmuir Park website

Williams Lake River Valley Trail

The Williams Lake River Valley Trail spans some 12 km (7.5 mi), winding from downtown Williams Lake to the Fraser River. Your walk begins in a park-like expanse scattered with trees, then continues across open grassland and past magnificent cliffs before reaching the river.

You can hike the entire trail, about five hours roundtrip, or just stroll along the western portion. Look for wildlife on your way. Pit toilets, picnic tables, benches and interpretive signs are situated en route.

Start at the main trailhead in downtown Williams Lake.

A word or two on your excursion:

• Rated: easy
• Approximate time required: varies by route
• Best time: all year - note that the trail is snow-covered through winter and early spring