Mike Hawkridge/Hidden Lake Guest Ranch
Clinton The name Clinton was officially adopted on June 11th, 1863, replacing the previous name, “The Junction”. The name acknowledged the retirement of the Colonial Secretary of England, Henry Tiennes Pelham Clinton, who was the 5th Duke of Newcastle (1811-1818). In the 1870s, Clinton was a cattle-ranch town, a soap-soda and Epsom salts distributor in the early 1900s, and a bush and sawmill town in the 1950s. Today, Clinton continues many of its original traditions and exudes a charming character. It is an outdoor adventure hub, providing active experiences in a landscape noted for its wildlife and incredible geological variation, such as the ‘Grand Canyon of the North’ located just west of Clinton along the Fraser River backcountry, and nearby Chasm Provincial Park, created by glacial melt cutting into lava flows. This 8km/5mi long, 300m/984ft deep box canyon features rock layers in spectacular shades of orange, pink, yellow and purple. Tour local heritage buildings, explore nearby provincial parks, wander antique shops, or enjoy one of the nearby guest ranches where you can ride the high country, cross-country ski, pan for gold and be pampered by exquisite cuisine and spa treatments. 2013 marks a milestone for Clinton; 150 years since its official naming, and 50 years since this historic village was incorporated. Planned celebratory events begin in May with the Annual Ball, now in its 146th year! Stop and stay a while in Clinton, and
the Cariboo
community of Lytton and the junction of Highway 12. For a scenic trip following the Fraser River take Highway 12 through the ‘Big Slide’ northwest to Lillooet.
learn not only about its history but also about the events taking place throughout 2013 that will tickle your fancy. 70 Mile House When 70 Mile House was established in 1862 as a hostel for Cariboo Wagon Road work crews, the residents probably had no idea that in the next 150 or so years, the area would become one of the Cariboo’s major guest ranch areas. Today’s 70 Mile House caters to travellers journeying the historic Gold Rush Trail along Highway 97. It is also a key turnoff point for the Green Lake Recreation Area - one of the most popular destinations in the South Cariboo for water sports of all kinds and, along with nearby Watch Lake, a habitat for thriving waterfowl and raptor
populations. Several family-run ranches continue the tradition of guest-house hospitality, offering a wide selection of outdoor activities that include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, snowmobiling, mountain biking and canoeing. 100 Mile House Originally a fur trading station on the Hudson’s Bay Company Brigade Trail (Kamloops to Fort Alexandria), 100 Mile House by the early 1860s was an important stagecoach stop on the Cariboo Wagon Road. Cattle ranching and the forestry industry sustained 100 Mile House after the gold rush ended, and today it is the main service centre for outlying communities and industries. With a population of only 2,000, it claims a
Williams Lake and District CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.overlanderhotel.com 1-800-663-6898 Williams Lake
285 Donald Road Williams Lake, BC V2G 4K4
COMPLIMENTARY HOT BREAKFAST Tel: 250 398-7055 info@coasthotels.com www.coasthotels.com
OPEN YEAR ROUND
Williams Lake Visitor Centre
1-877-967-5253
In partnership with the City of Williams Lake
1660 South Broadway visitors@telus.net
www.tourismwilliamslake.com
Free WiFi & Secure LAN Conference Facilities Carmen’s Restaurant Overlander Pub Cold Beer and Wine
1-800-663-5885
| www.landwithoutlimits.com
15