Part one two .three four .five..six

Trans Canada
Yellowhead
Highway


Introduction
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
BC
Summary

Man- Sask
Winnipeg
Portage
Minnedosa
Neepawa
Russell
Yorkton
Saskatoon
Battlefords,
Lloydminster

Alberta-BC
Vegreville
Elk Island
Edmonton
Jasper,
Kamloops
Prince George,
Prince Rupert
Islands


BRITISH COLUMBIA / Southern Route (5)

 

I am the Yellowhead

 

From my crossroads high in the Rocky Mountains of eastern British Columbia I reach the Pacific Ocean via two scenic, but separate routes. I was here (as a trail) at the hamlet of Tete Jaune Cache, near Mount Robson, when fur traders, voyageurs and explorers came west, opening new horizons. I was here when surveyors toiled against the clock and oncoming winter, as coolies from faraway China arrived to lay tracks for the railways and stayed to create a Garden of Eden in the Fraser Valley's fertile soil. Heading south from the junction I parallel Wells Gray Provincial Park. Known as "the Waterfall Park," it is a 5,000 sq. km wilderness area with waterfalls, wildflower trails, ski trails and lakes for kayaks and canoeing. Its spectacular Helmcken Falls are the fourth highest in Canada and its five wilderness lakes fulfill your dreams of canoeing in a most beautiful mountain setting. Imagine the scene- just turn on the soft music of ripples on the lake, or Chopin's Waltz of the Flowers.

Thompson Nicola Regional District

The communities of Blue River, Avola, Vavenby, Clearwater, Little Fort, Barriere, McLure, Bridge Lake, and Rayleigh are on the route south, following the North Thompson River, a major tributary of the Fraser. It is "Nature's Highway" for spawning Chinook, Coho, Sockeye and Pink salmon, as they battle the current, arriving by the millions. Mountain Whitefish, Dolly Varden, Rainbo, and Steelhead attract anglers from across North America and beyond. The river's drainage area encompasses over 50,000-sq. km. Recently the Thompson-Nicola Regional District produced an Award Winning brochure that's available free and features tourism and economic profiles of all population centres in the district. One of the first such communities heading south on the Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway is Blue River, situated at the edge of Wells Gray Provincial Park. The Trans Canada Yellowhea.d Highway parallels the Thompson River system all the way via Kamloops to Hope where it meets with the Fraser.

 

Blue River

Jewel of the Yellowhead. The picturesque town of Blue River is located near Wells Grey Provincial Park, at the North Thompson Valley's most northerly point. Recreational opportunities abound here in one of the world's most pristine natural environments, as the Blue River community is surrounded by a wilderness backcountry of lakes, rivers, streams, forests and mountain majesty. Small wonder so many travellers love to stop here, take a roll of photos and smell the flowers.

 

Clearwater

Gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park. Clearwater, once mainly a forestry community, is gaining its rightful place as a hub for eco and adventure tourism, appealing to travelers from around the world who seek a true wilderness experience. The name "Clear Water "&endash; is an apt description for the river, which flows through the town. Many make Blue River as their base for trips to Wells Grey Provincial Park, with its spectacular Helmcken Falls and many other natural attractions.

Barriere

The community of Barriere is less than one hour's drive from Kamloops at the North Thompson River Valley's southern extremity. Apart from its magnificent scenery and many outdoor attractions, Barriere's leadership has put a strong focus on attracting new business enterprises thanks to its quality of life. While relatively small, it has the amenities of a much larger centre, in terms of services and shopping.

 

Kamloops

"Where the waters meet " ( Tk'emlups -) is what the Shuswap people called Kamloops, which was a First Nations gathering place for centuries, as illustrated at the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park. The North and South Thompson, are a natural setting for amenities galore, including hikes, biking, horseback riding, water sports and river cruises. Did you mention fishing? Most avid anglers speak with awe about the legendary Kamloops trout. Kamloops Wildlife Park is world-class, featuring 65 species of animals, and Kenna Cartwright Park is one of Canada's largest municipal parks in Canada. Five 18-hole championship courses attract leading names from the world of golf. Sun Peaks Four-Season Resort continues to attract skiers and lovers of winter sports.

 

Hub of Activity: Kamloops traditional "crossroads" position was further enhanced by the fur trade, and later when the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived, running a set of tracks down the centre of main street. To salute that glorious era, a 2141 Steam Locomotive is on display. Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours spends the night here, unloading upscale tourists from the USA, Japan and Europe. The Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway's route (5) via Coquihalla Pass is a recent spoke in Kamloops' wheel as a transportation hub. Destination resorts and high adventure tourism in the Thompson Nicola region have blossomed, thanks to great highway and railway connections, plus enhanced airport services.

 

Ranching began here with a flourish, making Kamloops the heart of the BC's cattle industry. The conditions were ideal - sunshine, nourishing grasslands and plenty of water from the area's 200 lakes and clear running rivers. In recent years the Kamloops Cattle Drive has drawn participants from near and far. Did you know that Douglas Lake Ranch, an area attraction, is the largest working cattle ranch in Canada? The Downtown Farmers Market offers a colourful array of fresh local produce and handicrafts. Another site to check out is the Rocky Mountain Rangers Military Museum. Kamloops is home of the University College of the Cariboo, with its Applied Industrial Technology centre. For cultural activities, visitors will enjoy the Western Canada Theatre, Kamloops Art Gallery and a variety of other venues. Forestry is still a main pillar of the local economy.

 

Spirit of Enterprise: There must be something special in the air, drinking water or soil of Kamloops," my colleague commented, "Three friends and a cousin moved here for a career change decades ago, sank their roots, and never left. All became highly successful in separate endeavours. My family will never forget our great decade of travel fun in and around Kamloops and the Shuswap Lakes."

Adams River Salmon Run

One of the High Country most amazing spectacles occurs on the Adams River near Chase, with the world's most productive sockeye salmon run.

Merritt

Country Music Capital. The Merritt Mountain Music Festival has paid off year after year with a string of successful venues, and putting the town on the map. Surrounding Merritt are endless grasslands that have made the town a prime ranching centre. Located in the Nicola Valley, Merritt's trading area embraces Quilchena, Douglas Lake, Aspen Grove, Lower and Upper Nicola Lakes, Monck and Kentucky-Alleyne Provincial Parks. The Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo and Fall Fair is held every September on Labour Day weekend. Sports and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, baseball, hockey, and horseback riding and cycling. Merritt is home of the University College of the Cariboo's Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.

 

Hope

Remember the rugged countryside where Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) led the law on a merry chase up and down the mountain slopes, between crevices and intimidating rock faces. That action movie was filmed in Hope and vicinity. What an ideal setting - the snowcapped Cascade Mountains, the mighty Fraser River flowing by, still bursting with energy from its trip through Fraser Canyon. Close to Hope, are the five Othello or Quintette Tunnels. Now a popular historic site, the railway tunnels were designed to bypass the Coquihalla Canyon. The trestles have been converted to walkways in what is now a provincial park. Hope was once a hub of the Kettle Valley Railroad &endash; whose route has become a favourite trip for hikers and railroad buffs. From Hope, you can visit Bridal Veil Falls - in the other direction is Hell's Gate with its popular Sky Tram

 

Speaking of action, one can fish, hike, rent a mountain bike or skis, try their luck at panning gold, enjoy rock climbing, hang gliding, golfing, and white-water rafting. Hope has many attractions including chain-saw wood sculptures, an historic railway station, arts gallery and museum. Except at peak tourism season, there's an abundance of reasonably priced hotels, and motels for an overnight stay or a longer vacation.

 

From Hope, it's a pleasant drive through the Fraser Valley to Vancouver, Canada's third largest city, and an hour north of the United States border. For those going on to the USA, the border crossing at Sumas, Washington is about 3 hours drive from Seattle.