Echo Valley Ranch & Spa Far away... never closer
Williams Lake With a population just over 11,000, this “Hub City of the Cariboo” is the largest in the region, with a distinctive western-frontier personality. That personality shines brightly when it hosts the Williams Lake Stampede Canada Day long weekend (July 1). Professional rodeo stars from around the globe compete for big-purse money in traditional rodeo and unique home-grown events like the exciting Mountain Race. But, cowboys and rodeos are not its only attraction. It’s a mountain biking mecca, with three dedicated areas: Westsyde Ridge, Desous Mountain and Fox Mountain being major attractions. With all three featuring tracks ranging from double-track beginner to epic cross-country and steep, gnarly down-hills, many riders contend that the area offers the best wilderness biking in British Columbia. Williams Lake also boasts excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities. Birders make a beeline for Scout Island, a nature sanctuary at the west end of the lake. In addition to a beach area, nature house, picnic ground, and boat launch, this nature sanctuary for birds and small wildlife is laced with trails. The nature house is popular with both visitors and locals. Named after Chief William, a Shuswap chief from the area, the city is located at the junction of Highways 97 and 20, at the north end of its namesake lake and has been one of the Cariboo Chilcotin’s major crossroads since the turn of the 20th century. Even prior to the arrival of the first white settlers, the area was the columneetza, or meeting place, for the Secwepemc (shi-HUEP-muh-k) First Nation. Enjoy a walk among quaint shops, retail stores and art galleries, some featuring local art and First Nations gifts. A variety of restaurants are found on nearly every side street. The city boasts three golf courses, a magnificent log Tourism Discovery Visitor Centre and the popular River Valley Trail, spanning 12km/7.5mi from downtown to the Fraser River. 150 Mile House 150 Mile House is an important junction for travellers heading east to the resort lakes around Horsefly and Likely, or for those following the historic Gold Rush Trail. When Thomas Davidson, owner of the first ranch established in the Williams Lake area, went looking for a larger piece of property in 1861, he moved 22km/14mi east to build his large, two storey roadhouse and lucrative business selling produce and hay to the goldmining settlement of Quesnelle Forks. When the Cariboo Wagon Road came through in 1863, the site became the 150 Milepost from Lillooet. Today, the 1,275 residents live mostly on small acreages and ranch holdings along Highway 97.
www.evranch.com 1.800.253.8831 Jesmond, BC ● 45 minutes west of Clinton 18
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Travel & Touring Guide
Horsefly Outdoor lovers head here for camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking and backcountry skiing. Horsefly, the gateway to Quesnel Lake, Horsefly Lake, and the Cariboo Mountains, also hosts entertaining events, including a May Day long-weekend celebration, September Salmon Festival, Fall Fair, Horsefly Follies live theatre, sporting events, and the Arts on the Fly Music, Arts and Dance Festival. You’ll want to visit the Pioneer Museum, which also serves as the area’s Visitor Info Booth.