1 of 3
Michael Bednar
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, BC
2 of 3
Lori Bowden
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, BC
3 of 3
Thomas Drasdauskis
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, BC
Courtesy of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Assn.
In July 2017, British Columbia declared a state of emergency when over 200 fires were burning, mostly in the central region of the province. Residents from Williams Lake along with other communities in central British Columbia such as Ashcroft and 100 Mile House were given evacuation orders. But the area is still thriving and ready for the next season. Whether you've got a hankering to ride the range, relive Gold Rush history, fish to your heart's content, get an adrenaline rush, or just get away from it all, the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast offers the perfect places to do just that.
History of the Cariboo Chilcotin
Just over 150 years ago, the lure of gold changed the face of British Columbia forever. The magnificence of the province's interior was revealed to the world when on August 17, 1862, prospector Billy Barker found a major gold deposit at Williams Creek in the northern Cariboo. Gold fever spread like an epidemic when news of the strike filtered out, bringing excited hordes of fortune seekers from around the world into this remote wilderness. Starting in New Westminster, the Gold Rush Trail winds its way north to Barkerville.
Many of the region's early miners were Chinese immigrants, who worked white prospectors' abandoned mines and tailings by washing sand and gravel from rocks that were then neatly piled on the Fraser River's shores. These ‘Chinese rocks' are still visible today. By the mid-1860s, thousands of Chinese lived in Barkerville and several other gold rush towns, including Stanley, Van Winkle, Quesnel, Antler, Quesnelle Forks and Lillooet, where Chinese miners took millions out of Cayoosh Creek. These immigrants also operated stores, laundries, lodging houses and worked as cooks. Though few struck it rich, the Gold Rush completely changed the face of British Columbia. Roads and bridges were built, stores and mills opened and ranches were founded.
The historic Gold Rush Trail has many places along its route to stop, explore, and get a feel of what it was like back then, as you retrace the steps of the oxen carts and stagecoaches. Many of today's communities along this route have historical connections to the gold rush era. Some began as roadhouses where stagecoaches stopped, travelers could overnight, and horses would feed and water.
Clinton showcases its lovely museum in a colourful red brick building, which once served as a schoolhouse and later as a courthouse. At the 108 Mile Ranch Historic Site, pioneer buildings include a 1908 log barn which was built to house a herd of 200 Clydesdale horses. And at Xatśūll Heritage Village you learn of traditional Indigenous practices and history. The former gold rush supply centre of Quesnel hosts Billy Barker Days in mid-July commemorating the region's most famous gold seeker.
The Gold Rush Trail's terminus is the restored heritage town of Barkerville, recognized as a Canadian National Heritage Site. Period interpreters roam the streets dressed as historical characters; Judge Matthew Begbie (known in his time as the ‘hanging judge') hands out frontier justice. Visitors can also pan for gold, enjoy the local eateries, be entertained by the Theatre Royal's live musicals, and stay the night in a local hotel or B&B. The Gold Rush Trail brings history to life.
Still Open for Business - By Manuela Betschart (President), Fishing Highway Tourist Assn.
This past summer was one we will never forget. The Elephant Hill fire threatened our area along Hwy 24 and some of us were under evacuation alert for 77 days, and many had to leave homes and businesses for 10+ days. Visitors stayed away from our area due to smoky conditions and the alerts, which were in place throughout the summer, not to mention all the road closures, which made it really hard to travel. Some RV parks had to cancel the stay of their own guests, which was hard to do since we usually try to fill our RV sites and not the other way around. A lot of cancellations were the result, not to mention, that most businesses lost a lot of their income during the summer month.
During a time of difficulty and hardship, it was great to have guests staying in contact with their favourite resorts and checking on us, some on a daily basis. Many concerned guests phoned to see how we were dealing with the fires and some just wished us luck or said a prayer in the hope that the fire wouldn't reach any one of us.
Thankfully, no businesses along Hwy 24 burnt down nor had impacts on their structures. We are looking forward to our next RV Season - the trees are still standing and green along Hwy 24, so the lovely views of the lakes have luckily not been impacted by the fire season.
RV owners/operators certainly hope for a better 2018 tourism year. We look forward to seeing you at one of the most beautiful, natural RV settings along Hwy 24.
Thomas Drasdauskis
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, BC
Williams Lake is Ready to Ride - By Thomas A. Schoen, First Journey Trails
Williams Lake caught the attention of many this summer when the entire city including the surrounding large rural area was evacuated. Many prized possessions were driven out of town that July night, among those cherished items were the latest most technically advanced mountain bikes and gear. The Williams Lake area, dubbed as the Shangri-La of mountain biking by the International Mountain Bike Association, was under serious threat of years of work and investment going up in flames.
The area around Williams Lake boasts over 400 KM of networked trails, leading into the bowl of the valley where sits the City centre and lake. With access close to downtown Williams Lake, the five trail networks are well supported by the local business community, where one can easily find a fellow enthusiast to point out where to get a shuttle to the trailheads.
"We are so fortunate that our trail systems were not severely impacted by the fires this past summer," says Thomas Schoen, President of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium and one of the mentors involved in trail building projects. We have 1000's of hours invested in projects that have involved youth, volunteers, and First Nation crews, building our single track trails. The region suffered some setbacks in our finances for this year with the loss of our visitor season, but we will be back in 2018 ready to go." The latest trail in the network opened on November 2, at the Soda Creek First Nation Community Hall. It is a 20km cross-country trail connecting the Xatśūll Heritage Village with Whispering Willows Campsite.
"First Nations were always dependent on trails. They were the first trail builders in this area, and there are many parallels between us as active trail users and the First Nations Communities being trail builders and trail users for tens of thousands of years." Says Schoen. "In partnership with the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Association, new trails get developed and constructed all over the Province.
Williams Lake was one of the first municipalities to work with First Nation Governments to develop trail building workshops and collaborate on the extensive network in the area.
"Every year we add trails and services that make riding the Cariboo a world-class riding experience." Says Schoen. We want to let people know that we are in good shape and ready to ride."