w w w. e m b ra c e t h e j o u r n ey. c a #EmbraceHopeBC
JULY 2016 EMBRACE THE JOURNEY The Fraser River provides the heartbeat of British Columbia. It is the thread that connects our mountains with our ocean; it connects our past with our present; it connects our people with one another. As it travels through Hope, Cascades & Canyons, the Fraser River cuts deep through the mountains to create the impressive scale of the Fraser Canyon. At Hope, the cliffs recede and the Fraser meanders towards the Pacific Ocean, fuelled by the last of the mighty river’s tributaries. The
Fraser
River
watershed
dominates
recreational activities in Hope, Cascades & Canyons, but it is not our only watershed. This summer, we invite you to camp along the banks of the Fraser and the Skagit rivers, raft the rapids that have helped shape human history in the region, swim in our pristine lakes, and paddle the legendary Ross Lake. Spend the night under the stars and reconnect with your favourite water sports in Hope, Cascades & Canyons this summer.
CAMPING Whether you are looking for a rustic provincial park or a glamping experience, Hope, Cascades & Canyons has got you covered. We are home to over a dozen privately run campgrounds and four provincial parks which offer a variety of amenities and varied access to waterfront and trailheads. Camping sites in Hope fill up fast, so if you are looking to spend the August long weekend or Labour Day weekend with us, we suggest you pause reading and book now.
RAFTING Hope Cascades & Canyons is one of the best rafting regions in the province. Coquihalla River: Early season paddle rafting (depending on water levels) Nahatlatch River: Early season paddle rafting (depending on water levels) Thompson River: Paddle & power rafting Fraser River: Power rafting * Thompson/Fraser multi-day trips are also available
SKAGIT VALLEY
manning park
If you are looking to get out of the city and into adventure this summer, look no further than the Skagit Valley. Located in the Hope, Cascades & Canyons region and home to two provincial parks, four campgrounds, two lakes, and one river, the Skagit Valley is a mecca for outdoor adventure. The Skagit River is considered one of the best fly fishing streams in the province. And it’s only 2 hours from Vancouver! Silver Lake Provincial Park has a large day use area and boat launch (electric motors and paddle boats only) adjacent to the campground. Silver Lake tends to be colder than others in the area which makes it an ideal retreat during a mid-July heat wave.
halt construction on a higher dam. Now, the international Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission acts as stewards on both sides of the border and works with local organizations to protect the watershed. Ross Lake is at full pool in July and August (there is no water on the Canadian side for the rest of the year) and is an epic paddling area. Backcountry camps and hikes abound along the 37 kilometre long lake. Just don’t forget to bring your passport and check in at the ranger station at the border.
The campground at Silver Lake has 25 campsites and reservations are not available. The park is cash-only and the perfect place to get away for the weekend.
Camping is available at Silver Tip (43 sites), Ross Lake (88 sites) and Whitworth Horse Camp (11 sites). There is also camping available on the American side at Ross Lake. Reservations are not available and the park is cash-only.
Ross Lake is the heart of Skagit Valley Provincial Park. The reservoir is the result of the High Ross Dam which threatened to flood the entire valley until the High Ross treaty was signed in 1984 and Seattle City Lights was compelled to
For those on a fishing vacation, do not forget to get a Washington State fishing license if you intend to fish in Ross Lake and a BC fishing license to fish in the Skagit River or Silver Lake.
JULY 2016
FRASER RIVER The mighty Fraser River is a Canadian Heritage River and, at 1375 kilometres, is the longest in British Columbia. Recreational opportunities on the Fraser are almost endless.
RAFTING For those looking to experience the history of the river or some adrenalin, you cannot do better than a day trip on the Fraser. Starting in Boston Bar, a trip down the Fraser is one you will not forget. Experience the rapids that Simon Fraser described as “the gates of hell” on his journey in 1808, find out why no one can run Sailor Bar just once, and swim in the pool of an unspoiled waterfall.
PADDLING For more experienced paddlers, canoeing, kayaking, or SUP’ing the Fraser from Yale to Hope is a fun, sunny day adventure. Keep in mind that the mighty Fraser is not for beginners.
FISHING The Fraser River is the greatest salmon river on earth and its bounty has sustained those who live along its banks for 10 000 years. From the river or the road, visitors can see fish drying camps where the warm wind of the canyon prepares salmon for future feasts. Public access points for salmon fishing in Hope include Wardle Street, Rupert Street, and the north end of the Fraser Bridge. Another major public access point is F.H. Barber Provincial Park, which is located off Highway 1 west of Hope at exit 153 (Laidlaw/Jones Lake). One of the biggest draws for fishing on the Fraser, however, is the white sturgeon. These prehistoric fish spawn in only three rivers in BC and can grow to 6 metres long. A number of guiding companies offer day trips on the Fraser and the chance to see the sturgeon up close. Sturgeon fishing is catch-and-release and fish are often tagged before being released to allow biologists to continue to study this incredible animal.
FISHING REGULATIONS Fishing on the Coquihalla, Fraser, Skagit, and Silver is highly regulated to protect our watersheds and the species who call them home. Be sure to check the regulations before you head out at www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish/regulations/
JULY 2016
COQUIHALLA RIVER At Hope, the Coquihalla River meets the Fraser River. The river cuts through Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, home to the impressive Othello Tunnels. The bridges through the park are the best place to view the summer steelhead run.
For adrenalin junkies, early season rafting on the Coquihalla is an incredible experience.
SCHKAM LAKE Known to locals as Lake of the Woods, Schkam is one of the best swimming lakes in the area. The small lake heats up fast and is closed to power boats, which makes it ideal for spending an idyllic afternoon on the water. Schkam is a popular place for canoeing and SUP’ing as well.
Those with access to a canoe can also fish from the middle of the lake. Even if you don’t catch anything, we think it’s a perfect day.
KAWKAWA LAKE Kawkawa Lake Municipal Park is the perfect place to spend the afternoon swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, or cliffjumping. With a boat launch, boat-accessible cliffs, and a roped off swimming area, Kawkawa Lake is a family’s dream. First Beach also boasts a playground, picnic tables, and washroom facilities
for those spending the whole day on the water. There are no boat rentals or lifeguard on duty. Kawkawa Lake is 10 minutes from downtown Hope along Kawkawa Lake Road.
JULY 2016
SUCKER’S CREEK If you are looking to beat the heat on a sandy beach with a small swimming hole that’s perfect for small children, we suggest heading directly to Thacker Regional Park and Kawakawa Creek. Known locally as Sucker’s Creek, this haven on the Coquihalla River is a great place for a
picnic and a swim on a hot day. In the late fall, this is also an important spawning stream and one of the best places to view the salmon run.
WAHLEACH LAKE Commonly known as Jones Lake, Wahleach is a BC Hydro reservoir that is a popular camping and fishing spot for backcountry enthusiasts. The reservoir boasts two recreation areas with designated wheelchair accessible campsites, pit toilets, and picnic tables.
The road to Jones Lake is an active logging road that was designed for 4x4 vehicles with high clearance. It is not recommended for small cars, RV’s, and trailers to attempt the road. Access to Jones Lake from Hope is via exit 153.
NAHATLATCH The Nahatlatch Valley is located off Highway 1 in Boston Bar. It features mountain and canyon scenery, waterfalls, pristine lakes, and forests of pine, spruce, fir, and cedar. Hiking and fishing are popular in the valley; however, the main attraction in the Nahatlatch is its world-class whitewater. Rafters and kayakers from all over the globe come to
paddle its near-continuous Class II-V rapids, which are the most exciting and challenging in Western Canada. The lower 14 kilometres of the river from Francis Lake to the Fraser River feature 37 amazing rapids. Camping is available along the upper Nahatlatch River in Nahatlatch Provincial Park. No services are provided other than pit toilets at designated sites.
Visit British Columbia The Best Place on Earth
Laurie Throness MLA, Chilliwack - Hope 604-858-5299 Laurie.Throness.MLA@leg.bc.ca www.lauriethronessmla.ca Photo by: Shanon Fischer
JULY 2016
MANNING PROVINCIAL PARK Don’t have your own boat? Want to take a backcountry paddling trip? Wish you could laze in the sun by a mountain lake just minutes from your tent? If you agree with any of these questions, may we suggest a weekend at Manning Park? For those looking to go paddling, but are without a boat, Manning Park has the closest boat rental to Hope. Located on the quiet shores of Lightning Lake, the Manning Park Boat House will get you set up with canoes, kayaks, SUP’s, or rowboats to facilitate your water adventure. Whether you want to fish lazily in the sun, check out Rainbow Bridge, or paddle the entire chain (Lightning, Strike, Flash, and Thunder Lakes), the Boat House has you covered.
Manning Park has the only provincial campgrounds in the Hope, Cascades & Canyons region with reservable sites. Lightning Lake Campground (143 sites) is 100% reservations while Coldspring (66 sites), Hampton (99 sites), and Mule Deer (49 sites) are 50% reservations. Manning Park also has group camp sites at Lone Duck and horse camping at Headwaters Horse Corral.* ote: horse rentals are not available at N Manning Park.
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MANNING PARK RESORT Did you know... Manning Park Resort has a variety of accommodation options which makes it the perfect location for family reunions and weddings. In addition to four campgrounds and two group sites, Manning Park has the main lodge, cabins, and Last Resort available for overnight accommodation.
JULY 2016
HOPE VISITOR CENTRE & MUSEUM COMPLEX For more information on camping and waterbased adventure in Hope, Cascades & Canyons check out the Hope Visitor Centre at 919 Water Avenue. A new exhibit about one of the biggest Fraser River floods in recorded history, is now open at
the Hope Museum at 919 Water Avenue. The Hope Visitor Centre and Museum Complex is operated by AdvantageHOPE, Hope’s economic development and tourism agency. It is open seven days a week and our team is ready to answer all your questions.
Summer hours: 9am-5pm / Daily Location: 919 Water Avenue Ph: 604.869.2021 (Visitor Centre) 604.860.0930 (AdvantageHOPE) Email: vc@hopebc.ca
322 Wallace St. Hope, BC | 604.869.0729 www.bluemoose.coffee | #bluemoosehope
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SUNSHINE VALLEY RV RESORT & CABINS reservations: 604.869.0066 or www.htr.ca 14850 Alpine Blvd. Hope
2 5 8 8 3 8 8 8 8 8 1 waterpark.com www.bridalfalls
Open Daily 10 am - 6 pm | June 24 - September 5
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A River Camping Experience PEN
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Reservaations: 604-794 4-7 7361
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Hook-ups
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800 Kawkawa Lake Rd, Hope Reservations: 604-869-7119 TF: 1-888-869-7118 coquihallacampground.ca