Circle Routes Scenic Driving Guide

LAKES& TRAILS s. 1 Begin your tour at 93 Mile on the become hands-on experiences. Head to in BC. Dip into the clear waters or hike Cariboo Hwy 97, which runs north across Forests for the World for great views of through alpine meadows to Helmcken Falls the lake-studded Fraser Plateau to the city and then visit the vintage railway Rim Trail, which follows the rim of one of Prince George. You'll follow the original collections at the Prince George Railway Canada's highest waterfalls. Numerous Gold Rush Trail—once the path of & Forestry Museum. archaeological sites throughout the park fortune-seeking prospectors on the uncover evidence of ancient Aboriginal 4 Take Yellowhead Hwy 16 east to the scenic Cariboo Wagon Road. At 100 Mile House, cultures—pictographs in the bluffs community of McBride, nestled in Mount see the only surviving stagecoach of the around Mahood Lake are a sight to see. Robson Valley. The exceptional scenery Barnard Express and Stage Line. The area's Continue on to Little Fort at the junction draws hikers, anglers and whitewater riches also include abundant wildlife, of Hwy 24 and Hwy 5 to enjoy some of enthusiasts. More than 170 bird species ancient mountains, lush valleys, clear North America's best fly-fishing, either have been recorded at the Horseshoe Lake lakes and pristine rivers. Further north, set on your own or with a resort guide bird-viewing station and surrounding area. amidst rolling ranchland, is Williams Lake— 6 Travel south at Little Fort and head to Enjoy an easy walk around this thriving host to the famous four-day Williams artist community or try heli-hiking, Kamloops, where the annual Kamloopa Lake Stampede in late June/early July. heli-skiing or snowmobiling. Just a Pow Wow takes place at the Secwepemc 2 Long before gold-hungry miners arrived 45-minute drive from McBride is Mount Museum and Heritage Park. Museum in this area, the Shuswap Nation occupied Robson Provincial Park, part of a UNESCO exhibits incorporate the oral history and the benchlands north of Williams Lake for World Heritage Site. Named after the legends of the Secwepemc People, along more than 5,000 years. Visit the Xat'sull highest peak in the Canadian Rockies—a with historical photographs, illustrations Heritage Village near Williams Lake to jagged, snowy pinnacle rising 3,954 metres and artifacts. The outdoor exhibit, located see ancient petroglyphs, visit a sweat (12,972 feet) above largely undisturbed on the banks of the South Thompson lodge and get a taste of the traditional wilderness—the park also houses the River, feature trails that lead through the Shuswap way of life. Upriver, the Quesnel headwaters of the Fraser River and the archaeological remains of a 2,000-year-old Museum and Archives houses thousands massive Berg Glacier. Hike the extensive Secwepemc village. Stay at any of the many of artifacts from pioneering life and a trail systems leading past lakes, glaciers, resorts in the region, from the four-season significant collection of rare Chinese waterfalls and through dense forest. Sun Peaks Resort to fly-fishing lodges, artifacts from the Gold Rush period. remote cabins and luxury retreats. Nearby, the friendly town of Valemount Travel northeast on Hwy 26 to the artisan reveals a valley for all seasons. Relax by Cache Creek and Historic Hat Creek Ranch community of Wells; events and concerts canoeing the meandering streams, hiking are due west along Hwy 1. Tour the wake up this small community throughout the valley or taking a guided nature tour. restored roadhouse, general store and the summer. Head east to Barkerville Don't miss the wildlife and birdwatching blacksmith's shop, and stroll the ranch Historic Town, a restored gold rush town at Robert W. Starratt Wildlife Sanctuary, grounds or catch a ride on the red, horsewhere costumed interpreters depict life in a 345-hectare (853-acre) waterfowl drawn stagecoach. A short walk leads to the 1800s. Continue on to explore Bowron habitat, just minutes from town. Late the Shuswap Nation village display site that Lake Provincial Park. If you're feeling summer brings one of the world's provides a rare look at a circular pit house energetic, set off on this world-renowned, longest salmon migrations to the known as a kekuli. Take a quick detour 116-kilometre (72-mile), 6- to 10-day canoe spawning grounds of Swift Creek in south to historic Ashcroft; it's surrounded circuit traversing beautiful lakes, rivers nearby George Hicks Regional Park. by rolling ranch country, tumbleweed and and streams. sagebrush. At the Ashcroft Museum and 5 From Valemount, head south on Hwy 5 Archives, discover the region's pioneer 3 Backtrack on Hwy 26, then drive north on through the North Thompson River Valley history as well as the history of the first Hwy 97 to reach the vibrant city of and stop in Blue River, a pristine area inhabitants—the Nlaka'pamux, Sce'exmx Prince George. An all-season playground, surrounded by lakes, rivers and forests. and Okanagan peoples. Head north on Prince George has more than 120 parks Enjoy fishing, canoeing, and birdwatching Hwy 97 to Clinton where you can enjoy and 1,600 nearby lakes and rivers offering in nearby Blue River Black Spruce a real cowboy experience at one of the endless opportunities for fishing, boating, Provincial Park. area's many guest ranches. Continue north hiking, wildlife viewing and camping. to make your return trip to 93 Mile. Further south, Clearwater is your gateway Discovery is the theme at Exploration Place to Wells Gray Provincial Park—one of the Museum and Science Centre in Fort George premiere outdoor recreation destinations Park. Cultural, scientific and natural history Lakes & Trails DBC-SP-72_CircleRts_Reprint2013.indd 19 19 13-06-13 10:38 AM

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