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The area around Fort St. James is renowned for its remote yet spectacular lake systems. Indeed, the fort is a key launching point for wilderness hunting and fishing trips, with places often accessible only by air. Paddlers also head to the region to canoe one of the many memorable routes. Fort St. James itself was established nearly 200 years ago; it is now a National Historic Site.
There are terrific hiking and camping opportunities throughout the Fort St. James region. Of particular note is Mount Pope Provincial Park, just a short drive away. A 13- km (8-mi) roundtrip trek leads to the summit of 1,472 m (4,829 ft) Mount Pope. Breathtaking vistas include Stuart Lake as well as the snowcapped Omineca Mountains. Trails up Mount Pope were first built by the Carrier Nation. Allow four to six hours for a roundtrip. Mount Pope also has many rock climbing opportunities with some 50 routes ranging in difficulty from 5.4 to 5.11.
Those camping in the region can choose from two lakeside provincial campgrounds at Stuart Lake in Paarens Beach and Sowchea Bay provincial parks. Private and forest-service campsites are also available.
Stuart Lake Golf Club offers golf enthusiasts a nine-hole course situated by the lake.
Fort St. James was first established in 1806 on behalf of the North West Company as a fur trading post. Nearly 200 years old, the fort is now a National Historic Site, with the largest collection of original in-situ wooden buildings representing the fur trade in Canada. Take a self-guided tour of the 1890s-era fort, assisted by costumed interpreters in the reconstructed and original buildings.
Other historic sites in the area include Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, one of BC’s oldest Catholic churches (built in 1873). Cottonwood Park is home to both a German Junkers W34 Float Plane, used by bush pilots in the Fort St. James area from the 1930s to the 1970s and the Tom Creek Steam Shovel, preserved as a tribute to pioneer families in the region. A memorial overlooking Stuart Lake is dedicated to Frank Russell Baker, one of the first bush pilots in the area. Russ Baker started Central BC Airways in Fort St. James, which grew into Pacific Western Airlines, which eventually became part of Air Canada.
Fort St. James hosts the Annual Cottonwood Music Festival in July, a celebration of bluegrass and old-time country music. The Community Arts Council is active in bringing arts performers to town.
There is an abundance of wildlife throughout the Fort St. James area. Large mammals include moose, mule and white-tailed deer, elk, cougar, sheep, mountain goats, black and grizzly bears, coyotes, wolves and woodland caribou. Approximately 173 bird species have been recorded in the region, with 52 of them considered winter residents. Owls, cavity nesters and perching birds are widespread, as are waterfowl and shorebirds.
Fort St. James is located on the shores of Stuart Lake, which, at 75 km (47 mi) in length, is one of BC’s largest natural lakes. It is part of the Stuart-Takla three-lake chain, which in turn is part of the Fraser River watershed. These lakes are famous for their fishing opportunities. The catch includes giant rainbow trout, lake trout, Dolly Varden, lingcod and kokanee. There are many smaller lakes within an hour’s drive of Fort St. James that hold rainbow trout, whitefish, kokanee or char.
Of particular note is the remote Sustut River, a Class I angling river north of Fort St. James. Fly fishers from around the world travel to the Sustut to fish for trophy-sized steelhead. Access to this isolated location is by air only.
Canoeists head to Fort St. James to paddle the celebrated Nation Lakes Canoe Route. This well-known chain of four lakes is joined by three rivers. It takes 5-7 days to paddle the 112-km (70-mi) route, with numerous campsites and beaches located along the four lakeshores. Wildlife sightings include moose, caribou, wolves and bears. To access the route, drive 90 minutes from Fort St. James to the take-out point on Chuchi Lake. Arrange a vehicle shuttle from there to the put-in at Tsayta Lake, a four-hour drive away. Access roads to the put-in are gravel Forest Service roads, so be prepared for flat tires en route.
The Murray Ridge Ski Area is a northern haven for cross-country and downhill skiing. Murray Ridge offers 520 vertical m (1,700 ft) of downhill skiing over 23 trails, as well as 20 km (12 mi) of cross-country trails with lit routes for night skiing.
The Fort St. James Curling Club hosts bonspiels throughout the season. Don’t miss the thrilling Caledonia Classic Dogsled Races at the end of February. The Thunder on Ice Snowmobile Races also occur during this time. Snow is cleared from frozen Stuart Lake to create a track for these races.
There are also many opportunities in the area for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
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