British Columbia to Alberta - Road Trip 2019

We left the Omak Stampede Park late morning to cross into British Columbia an hour away. It was too early and warm to stay at the Walmart, which still offers overnight parking. 

There are really not many services along this route.  Gas is much less expensive in WA than BC, but there are little other international services – money exchange, visitor center, etc.

Knowing Canada would not accept foreign fruits and vegetables Fran was busy turning our potatoes into potato salad, our lettuce into taco salad.  I diced our jalapeno and onions for the freezer.  We hid the last 3 limes as we approached Canadian customs.  At the booth we were told to shut off the engine and all that we were asked if we had cannabis to declare. 

After declaring none, a lecture ensued about ‘our age group’ being the biggest cannabis users caught at the border!  And a chance to declare what we might have.  I gaffawed at the suggestion, not the right response, but explained having worked with the FAA for decades I managed to miss the marijuana generation.

The drive up 97 in Canada is spectacular following the Okanogan River with dozens of lakes and hundreds of wineries.

We found a quirky little overnight spot at Tim’s by the River.  The sites are either huge or tiny.  We took one of the larger grass sites where Fran could hit a few practice golf balls.

Wells Gray Provincial Park in 2016 on our return from Alaska.  That blog can be found HERE.   

This time we are not here for the waterfalls, but to golf in this awesome setting of water, forests and falls.  But alas it’s raining, cold and cloudy … perhaps tomorrow.

We’re staying at the Wells Gray Golf Resort and RV Park with the expectation that we’d have a chance to play a round.  However, the rain is predicted to not just continue, but to follow us to Jasper and on to Banff.  During the 2016 Alaska trip we had 52 consecutive days with rain.  Again the rain is at the high point of the trip, we’ll try not let it dampen our spirits even though the distant views of the mountains may be shrouded in clouds.

The continual rain did keep us inside where we put Gone with the Wind into the DVD player.  Internet is available for $5 CAD, I splurged and bought a 24 hr window.   This allowed me to outline this blog, catch up on email and the last few Sudoku puzzles.

By late afternoon the rain became a pesky shower, but we felt there was not going to be a break and the waterfalls were waiting.   There are only a few of the 39 named falls that can be reached from the roadside parking lots.  Our first stop was Dawson Falls an easy walk from the parking area, except when the trail is also full of water.

I like Dawson Falls, it is reminiscent of SoCal falls, short and fierce! The angry water tumbles down the short embankment.

Next stop was Helmcken Falls where the mist and fog did not allow a clear view.

To reach Helmcken Falls a one–lane bridge at the Mushbowl needs to be crossed.

SUN! Well not much of it, but it’s not raining, as we pack up for another travel day.

Ok only one of us is needed to pack up, Fran finally gets to use all of the clubs she brought along.  The couple next to us was back early saying there was a bear on the 7th hole.  Fortunately Fran did not encounter the creature.

t
The trail to Spahats Falls is dry and even a few shadows as we leave the Park 

The falls from Spahats Creek looks like it is coming out of the rocks.  But it’s really not, as the straight walls of the canyon that give that illusion.

Today’s destination is a couple hours north where we’ll spend the night at an RV site at Tete Jaune Lodge.    It’s a nice spot on the Fraser River.   We came in the old road across another one-lane wooden bridge.  The river is quite high, nearly to the chairs in the park.

Our campsite was pull-in/back-out.  A bit unusual but did provide better views.  Including that of Mt Mica.

Despite the recent rain we’ve been having an awesome trip.   We’ll be in Jasper Alberta tomorrow to begin the Icefields Parkway.  No Bad Days!

The Yellowhead Highway to Kamloops

Time to lace up the boots, the Prince George to Kamloops section of the trip needs to be done slow with lots of time afoot.  

But to get to the best trails it is a long drive past the tourist tourist traps and cruise bus stops.  We took a short break to watch the local native dip netting salmon.  Could not help but notice this sticker on another Skinny Winnie. 


to Smithers, BC, where there was a spot at Smithers Par 3 and RV.  This was the Riverside Golf Course, but is being converted to a 9 hole par 3.  It had been raining all day, but the host had us drive onto the now unused 6th fairway.  The best site in the park IMHO.



The view out our window was the the 3rd hole tee box.  The rain let up long enough in the morning for us to play a quick round.



Although rain came again, we're expecting better roads ahead and Rufus finally got a badly needed bath!


The must stop in Huston BC is the World’s Largest Fly Rod at the visitor center.  The little towns come up with some clever ideas to attract the tourist dollar.  Not sure how often the fly at the end of the rod need to e retied, but it is not often enough …



But we are here for a walk through the adjacent Steelhead Park and gardens.



Along with Willow River we followed some moose tracks through a field thimble berries.  We never saw the moose, it left the path and left us a nice selection of berries.


The Acient Forest is a popular stop.  The parking area is being enlarged to accomadate tour busses!  Glad we were there when it was far less accessable.


The out and back boardwalk is a nice handicap route, the remaining trails are well maintained and being covered with walkways into the depths of the Western Red Cedar forest.





The Cranberry Marsh can be done as a 4 mile loop or as an out and back to the viewing towers.  Of course we didn’t want to miss anything so it was the loop. 



Not the best choice under the circumstances.  Of course a swamp has mosquitoes – lots of mosquitoes!  But it is located next to the Valemount treatment plant, which has over flowed from all the rains.


Driving south toward Kamloops saves the best of the hikes for last – Waterfalls!  Wells Gray is a humongous provincial park, with waterfalls!  Spahats Falls is the first on the waterfall trail.


Moul Falls is an easy hike with about 500’ elevation change … all in the last few 100 yards!  There is a very slippery trail that  goes behind the falls.




Dawson Falls is called the ‘Niagra’ of Wells Gray, with a short easy walk to the top of the falls




Helmcken Falls is the tallest in the park and the 4th tallest in Canada.



We’ve worked an appetite!  The Hop’n’Hog is a deserved reward.


After Kamloops … the BC wine country