photo John Wellburn riders Justin Calof, Steve Law
Biking & Hiking
Spruce Lake in the South Chilcotin has epic grassland riding through alpine and sub-alpine meadows, skirting freshwater lakes. The classic 26km/16mi single-track Gun Creek Route from the Tyax area gains elevation through a conifer forest mixed with aspen and cottonwood. Also popular are the South Tyaughton Lake’s 28km/17mi Taylor-Pearson loop; and the 44km/27mi, High Trail Loop into wide-open Windy Pass. Adventurous backcountry mountain-bikers can opt for float plane and helicopter entries or packhorse-assisted and guided tours. The 100 Mile House area has hundreds of kilometres of marked and unmarked backcountry trails criss-crossing the plateau. Trails are accessible around the 108 Mile Ranch, and from downtown 100 Mile House. The trails from Centennial Park take you up an old ski hill and with plenty of old roads and tracks in the area you have easy access onto the trails in the nearby hills. On the 99 Mile trails south of town, choose to stay on the trails, or venture off onto single track for more fun riding. Hikers and walkers rejoice here! The Mount Agnes Trail network near Barkerville follows the original “Cariboo Wagon Trail” to wildflower-strewn alpine meadows below Summit Rock. Amateur geologists use their topographic quadrangle maps (topos) in the Marble Range near Clinton, an area notable for limestone karsts, wooded groves and alpine ridges. History buffs with a high fitness level can stroll the historic 420km/261mi Nuxalk-Carrier Grease/Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, with a suggested hiking time of 25-30 days. The Cariboo’s 11.3km/7mi Sepa Lakes Trail near 108 Mile Ranch meanders past bays and lagoons filled with waterfowl.
Canim Lake offers three majestic and photogenic waterfalls. Williams Lakes’ family-friendly hikes and walks are explored along the popular River Valley Trail, while the same is true about the Quesnel Riverfront Trail. Whale Lake boasts good fishing at the end of a 4km/2.5mi hiking trail and in the Chilcotin the 12km/7.5mi Tchaikazan-Yohetta Trail connects the Tchaikazan and Yohetta valleys via Spectrum Pass and picture perfect Dorothy Lake. Urban area climbers are now discovering the untrammelled local mountaineering scene. Three hot spots include Williams Lake, where the Esler Bluffs alone boast 44 routes. Hunlen Falls is generating enormous excitement with the rope-and-rack set heart-pumping routes, bouldering, single-pitch climbs ranging in difficulty from “no sweat” (5.6) to “sweat and nothing but” (5.11+). Bella Coola boasts such multi-pitch soon-to-be-classics as the nine-pitch Airport Wall (5.9-10+). Popular heli-assisted hikes and climbs can be arranged by many operators. Mountaineers come from around the world to tackle the 3,000m/9,842ft-plus peaks of the Coast Range, including 4,016m/13,176ft Mount Waddington, B.C.’s highest. Those who enjoy a little ice with their climb find frozen falls at Marble Canyon Provincial Park, 40km/25mi northwest of Cache Creek, where popular routes include Car Wrecker Gully, The Diehedral and spectacular five-pitch Tokkum Pole. Lillooet’s variety of scenic hiking trails suit all fitness levels many of which have historic significance along the banks of the Fraser River, where in the mid-1800s Chinese miners processed millions of dollars in gold. Those with more challenging ambitions should try ice climbing along the nearby D’Arcy-Anderson Lake Road that stretches 33km/21mi along the west side of Anderson Lake from Seton Portage. ♦ 1-800-663-5885
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