NORTHERN BC JET BOAT TOURS—GHOST TOWN EXPERIENCE
Rob Bryce of Northern BC Jet Boat Tours takes us an adventure to historic ghost towns reclaimed by nature. Tours leave from Gingolx in the Nass Valley.
Part 1
To get to the Nass Valley from Terrace, head west on Highway 16 and turn right onto the Nisga’a Highway. Along the one-hour drive, view mountain peaks, rivers and lakes. Stop to photograph Vetter falls, a small waterfall at the end of a short trail marked on the left side of the road, three-quarters of the way on the journey.
In the summer, bears are a common sight along this route. It’s possible to see 20 or more bears in one day, grazing the side of the highway, searching for berries. The most commonly seen animals are black bears, but people have also seen the rare and unique white Kermode bears too. Foxes are also around.
Part 2
Once in the Nass Valley, visit the Nisga’a Visitor Centre and pick up an auto tour map. Visit the 19 stops on the self-guided tour including natural hot springs, the lava beds in Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a Provincial Park, and the four Nisga’a First Nations villages in the area: Canyon City, New Aiyansh, Greenville and Gingolx.
The Nisga’a Commercial Group and a couple local tour guiding outfits offer tours of the Nass Valley, including a hiking tour to the origin of the eruption, a mushroom/herb/botanical tour and a fish wheel tour. Guides are local Nisga’a who live in the area. Tours leave and end in Terrace.
Part 3
Continue west through the Nass Valley to Laxgalts’ap (Greenville) to see the Nisga’a Museum. The museum is home to hundreds of cultural artifacts that help to tell the history and traditions of the Nisga’a, People of the Nass River. See naxnok (spirit) masks, items used by Nisga’a shamans, traditional regalia, and much more.
Part 4
Gingolx is the farthest point on the self-guided auto tour and worth the journey. Take in the water view, and then try the best fresh fish and chips you will ever taste.
Header image: Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park | Emanuel Smedbol
Last updated: December 23, 2018.