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One time during my High
School days, we piled into the back of an army
truck in Vancouver, and tumbled out on a
pitch-black night at Abbotsford Airport. The Fraser
River flood scene was chaotic - sandbags everywhere
and loud voices barking orders in the night. That's
when I learned how 'connected' the Fraser River
System is to BC's life-line.
Today, the Fraser's waters
are more serene and placid, from its muddy mouth in
the Delta, past Fort Langley and Hope, to Yale,
once the head of navigation for riverboats carrying
hordes of fur traders and gold seekers. Having
worked two summers on a paddlewheeler, I know the
lure of the river, which is recaptured by Fraser
River Connection, berthed at the New Westminster
Quay.
The Route Map will help you
locate the various cities, towns, villages,
whistle-stops and hamlets, each a springboard to
adventure in Mighty Fraser country. Examples of
Water Wonderland hot spots and cool locations are
as follows:
Cultus and Chilliwack Lakes have been on our
agenda since the days when BC Electric Railway's
brick red trams (a
super-streetcar)
carried picnickers and vacationers from Vancouver.
They tell me the fishing around here is as good as
ever, year after year; in fact the city of
Chilliwack itself has become a magnet for fishing
and boating in BC's Lower Mainland.
 Not
far from Chilliwack is beautiful Bridal Falls - a
place where you can cool off in the misty spray by
the side of the road, or take the gang for a fast
tumble down the popular Trans Canada Water Slides.
A refreshing thought! And, as they say, "along
life's path, don't forget to stop and smell the
flowers." Brain Minter would love that idea- his
family has operated the world-famous Minter Gardens
for decades. Perfume of the Gods.Harrison Lake and
Hot Springs: Speaking of voyages into history,
Harrison became popular thanks to the CNR Railroad,
whose main line runs south of the current resort.
The lodge's gallery of photos shows a Horse and
Buggy 'limo' that met every train and carried
visitors to the lodge all year round. Many of these
visitors were Hollywood stars and other
celebrities. I first discovered Harrison as a
passenger in my grandparents Buick , and
rediscovered it later as a young parent. My boys
were fascinated by the Legend of the Sasquatch as
was illustrated on an entrance sign. These days,
one of the softer adventures is building
'sandcastles' on the lakeshore during a worldwide
competition. Try it. If you're flying in from
Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria or Toronto on business
-- this is a great place to combine work and
pleasure. Fire up the creative juices and recharge
the batteries- right? In addition to the thermal
springs at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort Hotel,
there is a community spa for the public. Other
natural hot springs in the area include a popular
spot you can bathe for free near the Pitt River
Canyon.
More
about Water Adventures
Experience
the sights, and sounds of Mighty Fraser Country's
untamed waterways and lakes. Ride the white water
on a raft expedition or fish along the shores for
salmon while the sun dies the glacier coated
mountains red as it sets. Take a soft adventure
journey along the quiet rivers and lakes to digest
the region's majestic terrain. Mighty Fraser
country offers so many water adventures, it is hard
to decide what to do. Mighty Fraser Country abounds
with wild rivers and serene lakes. Mighty Fraser
Country will set you in awe. Captivating the
landscape is the Coast Mountains surrounding the
lush Fraser Valley, rich with raspberry fields and
other flavourful harvests. Cutting through the
Region's mountains is the raging Fraser River,
which drains the Region's lakes and rivers.
Comparable to only a few regions in the world,
Mighty Fraser Country offers some of the best
outdoor water adventures.
Fishing
the Lower Fraser : As one of the worlds last
remaining great salmon runs, the mighty Fraser is
famous for its sport fishing. Along its banks, try
your luck at catching king salmon and chinook after
April, or five species of salmon (coho, chum, pink,
sokeye , chinook) during the fall spawning
migration. The Valley's Vedder River in Abbotsford
and Chilliwack, which feeds the Fraser, has runs of
100,000 Chinook and 50,000 coho annually. On the
Vedder you can fish for Steelhead on a fly-only
restriction in May. While visiting the Valley,
don't neglect to visit Harrison River, which drains
Harrison Lake into the Fraser. You'll find this
river bountiful with Salmon, Trout, and Surgeon.
Surgeon are pleintiful in the valley, living
sometimes more than 100 years and growing to 450
kilograms, so have your camera ready!
Witnessing
the salmon turn bright red in the rivers as they
travel to the spawning grounds in the fall is
amazing. There are many locations in Mighty Fraser
Country to view this spectacle including Maple
Ridge, Mission, Harrison Hot Springs, Chilliwack,
Agassiz, and Hope. Weaver Creek near Harrison Bay
is the Region's best viewing area for sockeye from
Mid-October to late November.
Pitt
Lake and Canyon: Pitt Lake is one of Mighty
Fraser Country's most stunning water bodies; it
covers 5,380 hectares. The lake is fed from
Garibaldi Park's ice fields 40-km north through the
majestic Pitt river, which flows through a deep
valley that it has carved out of the Earth. Enjoy
your day fishing on the lake for Trout or Dolly
Varden. For those who like exploring, you can
captain a cruise up the Pitt River Canyon. You'll
probably want to visit Widgeon Valley National
Wildlife Reserve, an area home to a variety of
marsh bird species, at the lake's north end, if
you're a bird lover. To cool off on those sun
drenching afternoons, you may want to test your
water sport skills, perhaps a lap or two around the
lake on a wake board would be in order.
Cultus
Lake, Harrison Lake and Hot
Springs:Don't
forget to allow time in your itinerary for Cultus
Lake. There are more than a dozen public beaches at
this popular Lake for you to enjoy, with a vast
menu of water activities available Visitors will
find may entertainment options on and off the lake
at Cultus Principal Park. Rent your own personal
watercraft to discover the lakes hidden secrets, or
stay ashore and test your miniature golf skills. If
you like being pampered, you may want to visit
Harrison Lake - the largest in south western
British Columbia. Check into the world class
Harrison  Hot
Springs Resort (above) or nearby Rowena's Inn
(right) on the River for the ultimate in luxury
accommodations. If you enjoy boating, you may want
to charter your own or take a guided tour. Thermal
wind gusts up to 30 knots and waves more than a
metre high makes Harrison Lake great for
windsurfing and sailing. Harrison is recognized for
its Hot Springs, originally used by the Coast
Salish people a "healing place'
Surf the
Fraser's white water on a raft expedition to
experience one of the region's greatest water
adventures. Enjoy a day or overnight adventure as
you make your way along one of the many untamed
rivers that supply the Fraser. Mighty Fraser
Country is your source for adventure!
REO
RAFTING ADVENTURE RESORT
Experience
Mighty Fraser Country's best at REO Rafting
Adventure Resort. Secluded in the Fraser canyon
overlooking the jade green Nahatlatch River near
Boston Bar, REO's experienced and hightly trained
professional guides can escort you through some of
the region's best outdoor activities.
Ride the
wild rapids on a expedition along the Nahatlatch or
Thompson rivers that feed the Fraser and experience
the ultimate rafting adventure! At REO's 11 acre
resort, visitors include activities like rock
rappelling, leisurely float trips, kayaking, and
volleyball or just relax on as private beach in the
area's warm, dry and sunny climate. Guests
appreciate REO's modern amenities in a wilderness
setting and special services including aromatherapy
massage, trading post, and espresso bar. Concluding
a full day, REO's Chef will prepare one of their
legendary barbecue creations for you on the
riverside dining deck. Soothe your muscles in the
resort's hot tub or sauna en enjoy live
entertainment on summer weekends around a warm
campfire. A selection of accommodation options are
available including your own tent, cabin tent or
log cabin.
Call
REO Rafting Adventures to book you next vacation.
In greater Vancouver call (6040 461-7238 (RAFT) or
in North America call toll free 1-800-736-7238 (REO
RAFT) www.reorafting.com,
e-mai:
info@reorafting.com
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