ASHCROFT
Located on the banks of the Thompson River on Hwy #97C, this former
frontier town played key role in the development of central B.C. Once
a center for government, Aschroft was also and an important link to the
Canadian Pacific Railway. Passengers and freight bound for the Gold Rush
communities would disembark and continue their journey on the nearby Cariboo
Wagon Road. Later, cattle from the grasslands of the interior would be
driven to Ashcroft and shipped south by rail.
BARRIERE
Located on Highway 5, 63 km (38 miles) north of Kamloops in the
North Thompson Valley, Barriere is home to the North Thompson Fall Fair
and Rodeo. Visitors with enjoy the many nearby lakes and rivers which
provide excellent fishing and camping. Barriere offer a variety of services
and accommodations.
BOSTON BAR
The building of the Cariboo Wagon Road and the CPR railway, formed
the foundation of the village that is situated on the steep banks of
the Fraser River. During the gold rush, Boston Bar was a popular roadhouse
stop. Across the Fraser River from Boston Bar, the CPR built their divisional
point at North Bend. In earlier times, an aerial ferry was the only
way across the river. Today there's a bridge. Boston Bar, along the
Trans Canada Highway # 1 is in the heart of the Fraser Canyon. It is
located 42 km (26 mi.) north of Yale and 34 km ( 21 mi.) south of Lytton.
River rafting, fishing, gold panning, rock hounding and hiking are very
popular past times in this region of British Columbia.
CACHE CREEK
Located on the old Cariboo Wagon Road, this popular spot was a
stopping place for miners gathering supplies before heading farther
north to the gold fields. Located at the junction of Hwy #1 and Hwy
#97, and offering many facilities and points of interest, Cache Creek
is now a popular stopping place for the modern traveller.
CHASE
The gateway to the North Shuswap, Chase is located just 56 km (34
mi) east of Kamloops on the western end of Shuswap Lake. Outdoor enthusiasts
will enjoy a variety of activities. The community itself, with its warm
summer days, has a golf course, beautiful beaches and parks, while the
nearby lakes, rivers and mountains can provide everything from hiking,
camping and mountain biking to water skiing or salmon watching.
CLEARWATER
Clearwater is the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park, where
visitors will enjoy the spectacular waterfalls, glacier-fed lakes, canyons
and volcanic formations. For those interested in golfing or shopping,
Clearwater township provides a variety of both. Ample accommodation
is found here or you can camp in one of the many nearby sites.
KAMLOOPS
Located in the heart of High Country where the South and North
Thompson Rivers meet. This modern city can be used as a base for exploring
nearby wilderness areas such as Wells Gray Park to the north and the
grasslands of the Nicola Valley in the south or the numerous fishing
and recreational lakes surrounding the entire area. With many services
and attractions, Kamloops has a lot to offer the visitor.
LITTLE FORT
Located between Barriere and Clearwater at the intersection of
the Yellowhead Highway #5 and B.C.'s famous fishing highway #24, the
small community of Little Fort offers accommodation, restaurants and
a pub, service stations, shopping, fly and tackle shops. Here you may
cross the North Thompson River via one of two reactionary ferries. There
are several guest ranches and fishing resorts nearby.
LOGAN LAKE
From Ashcroft, Highway #97C heads up from the grassy rangelands
to the forested hills around the community of Logan Lake. Along the
way, visitors pass one of North America's largest copper mines, Highland
Valley. Travellers visiting Logan Lake enjoy the sparkling waters of
many beautiful lakes famous for the quality of their trout fishing,
and fishing lodges.
LYTTON
The blue green waters of the picturesque Thompson River, meet the
muddy brown waters of the mighty Fraser at Lytton. This is river rafting
country and there are first rate commercial rafting companies ready
to take you on a ride of a lifetime. Other interesting activities include
hiking, fishing, and rock hounding. Lytton, located along the Trans
Canada Highway, is approximately three hours travel time from Vancouver,
and only 40 km (25 mi.) from Spences Bridge. If you take Highway 12,
it will take you to the historic town of Lillooet, which is only 65
km ( 40 mi.) north of Lytton.
MERRITT
Situated in the ranchlands of the Nicola Valley, Merritt is at
the junction of four major highways serving the High Country area. The
entire area is rich in displays of its ranching heritage but also provides
a number of opportunities to outdoor enthusiasts; the Merritt area is
famous for its fishing lakes and fighting Kamloops trout. First rate
guest ranches and resorts can be found in the region.
SALMON ARM
Salmon Arm is located on one of the most popular resort lakes in
the province. On the Trans Canada Highway, west of Sicamous, it offers
visitors a wide range of recreation possibilities plus providing almost
every service and convenience you could want. This quickly growing community
is becoming popular for its climate and amenities. Truly one of B.C.'s
outstanding summer playgrounds.
SAVONA
Located just 45 km (28 mi.) west of Kamloops on Highway 1, Savona
is a small community located on the western shores of Kamloops Lake.
Savona and the surrounding countryside lends itself to a number of recreational
activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, biking and rockhounding.
It is also a jumping-off point for explorations of the nearby Deadman
Creek Valley, located just west of the community.
SICAMOUS
The Houseboat Capital of Canada, Sicamous is located on the shores
of Mara Lake and Shuswap Lake. Both these lakes offer a wide variety
of activities for the summer visitor, from swimming and water skiing
to houseboating and exploring. Shuswap Lake has over 1,000 km of shoreline
and the area surrounding both lakes has an abundance of mountains, lush
valleys and rivers to explore.
SORRENTO
Sorrento is known as the "Heart of the Shuswap" and is renowned
for its beauty and recreational oppurtunities. Services including shops,
golf courses, motels and campgrounds, marinas and numerous events such
as the Shuswap Lake Festival of the Arts, Eagle Bay Days and Adams River
Salmon Run make this community a relaxing getaway.
SPENCES BRIDGE
Spences Bridge is located on Highway #1, 40 km (25 mi.) north of
Lytton, where the highway crosses the Thompson River. Spences Bridge
is famous for its steelhead fishing and one of the oldest operating
hotels in British Columbia, the Steelhead Inn. Travellers passing through
in spring and fall are most likely to see herds of big horn sheep on
or near the highway. You often have to slow down or stop completely
to avoid hitting them. A favourite spot for the sheep is in the school
yard - when the students are inside!
VALEMOUNT
Valemount, located on Hwy #5 between the Rocky, Cariboo and Monashee
Mountains, offers exceptional fishing, hiking and camping oppurtunities.
Valemount offers a vareity of restaurants, accommodation, shops, services
and a golf course. Just past Valemount visitors may either turn left
towards Prince George and Tete Jaune country or right to the Rocky Mountains
and Mount Robson Provincial Park.
YALE
Located on the banks of the Fraser River was founded in 1848 as
a Hudson's Bay Company Fort and played a very important role in the
development of British Columbia. Yale was the inland terminus of the
sternwheelers plying up the Fraser River. The building of the famous
"wagon road" was started here. Just south of town, at Hill's Bar, is
the site of the first gold discovered in British Columbia. The documents
establishing the Confederation of Canada were signed at Yale. This community
is very proud of its historic background and this can be seen when you
visit the museum and take the Historic Walking Tour of the town. Yale
is only 32 km (20 mi.) north of Hope, on Highway 1.
