Next phase of the Alaska trip!
We took the ferry from Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast across to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in North Vancouver. Leaving there you’re immediately on the ‘Sea to Sky’ Highway (Hwy #99) which leads north taking you past the world famous Whistler Mountain ski resort and through the historic town of Lillooet which is mile zero of the Cariboo Road, constructed in 1859.
World Class Ski Resort of Whistler, BC
Lillooet
The town had its start as one of the main centres of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of 1858–59, during which it was reckoned to be “the largest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco”, a title also held by certain other towns in British Columbia in rapid succession (Yale first, Barkerville after).
The Bridge of the 23 Camels
Bridge of the 23 Camels Following the discovering of gold in the Cariboo in 1858 and the completion of the first wagon road to Lillooet, horses, mules and oxen were used to haul the heavy loads to the gold fields. Then one entrepreneur had the bright idea that camels would be ideal pack animals, and so 23 two humped Bactrian camels were imported from Asia to BC. But the bright idea soon turned into a nightmare as the high-strung beasts ate miners clothing, kicked at anything or anyone who came close, frightened other animals with their pungent odour, and had their soft feet cut to ribbons on the rocky mountainous roads. So they were abandoned by their owners and left to roam in the wild. Some were killed for food, some died in winter storms, while others were kept as curiosities. The lone surviving Bactrian camel, “The Lady” as she was called, died around 1896 on a farm in Grande Prairie, BC (now known as Westwold). Before the bridge officially opened in 1981, a contest was held to select a name. Local resident, Renee Chipman submitted the winning name: “Bridge of the 23 Camels” in honour of those original camels.
Mile Zero of Cariboo Road
Old Bridge in Lillooet, BC
We camped for the night at Cottonwood Creek Rec site, which is just outside of Lillooet, on a beautiful river with no one else in sight!
Shortly after Lillooet, #99 ends and we turn north again up Hwy #97. This is quite a historical route with towns along the road named after stagecoach stops (70 Mile House, 100 Mile House, 150 Mile House – you get the picture)! Right at the junction there’s a great place to stop and take some time learning about what life was like back when stagecoaches were the only way to travel called Hat Creek Ranch.
Hat Creek Ranch
Historic Hat Creek Ranch offers you a rare opportunity to explore the original buildings used by the Gold Rush travelers of the 1860’s. Stroll along the actual dirt road the wagon trains traveled on, and visit the historic roadhouse, where interpreters dressed in period clothing will take you on a guided tour. (Click the link for more on Hat Creek Ranch)
Hat Creek Ranch, Cache Creek, BC
Hat Creek Ranch Stagecoach Ride
Our next stop was Prince George.
Prince George is the last really large city on the way north – with a Canadian Tire, WalMart AND Costco. (you know it’s a big place if it has a Costco!). We intended to spend 2 nights but ended up staying 3 – as my paranoia about our smoking brakes we encountered at the Dinner Rock Rec Site several days earlier had escalated to a fever pitch. My ‘gut’ was screaming that something wasn’t right. I found a place on-line that looked to be just what we needed and I phoned first thing in the morning. Mike answered the phone at Nechako Brake & Wheel and agreed to take us right in for a look.
My paranoia paid off … we apparently had NO REAR BRAKES!!! We’d just had the brakes in the front replaced and they were supposed to have adjusted the rear ones … but their adjustments were so poor that apparently nothing was ‘catching’ so no wonder we were smoking the front brakes. As well, he replaced the caliper on the drivers’ side brake (which was new) as he was concerned about all that smoke. I’d highly recommend this place to anyone needing brake/tire work done. Those guys rock!
The next morning we decided to push on to Smithers to spend the night at the Riverside Municipal Campground – where we’d stayed before. Not the greatest campsite, but it’s right in town and we were eager to hit Smithers’ Sausage Co. as well as one of our favorite bakeries. Unfortunately … the ENTIRE campground was reserved and already mostly full – very popular with families as there were gazillions of kids and smoldering campfires everywhere. So … best laid plans …
We hit Safeway to take on some groceries and then gassed up and headed to Meziadin Lake a day earlier than planned.
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