Home

Introduction

Features
Read featured articles from destinations along the Yellowhead

Manitoba
Celebrate the distinct culture, amazing scenery and brilliant yellow sunflower fields.

Saskatchewan
The sky’s the limit, with creative literary giants and rodeo greats.

Alberta
Renowned for its diverse culture, open range, and Rocky Mountain Playground.

British Columbia
Majestic mountains, mighty rivers, and coastal rainforests entice and invite.

Yellowhead Highway #16 the Route to the Coast

by Terri Mason

Sea lions are very social animals, and groups often rest closely packed together or float together on the ocean’s surface in “rafts.” Sometimes there’s only room for two. Photo: Tourism British Columbia

The awesome view of the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, greets travellers entering British Columbia. Mount Robson Provincial Park was designated by UNESCO as a part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site, the largest block of protected area in the world. This park shelters the birthplace of the Fraser River, and offers developed, vehicle-accessible camping to remote valleys accessible only by hiking.

Set in the picturesque Robson Valley, the peaceful village of Tête Jaune Cache offers superb fishing at Rearguard Falls, the final barrier to salmon migrating from the Pacific Ocean. Nearby, the charming town of McBride boasts hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, historic sites and alpine meadows. Enjoy the birding facilities at Horseshoe Lake, which includes a 96’ boardwalk, observation platform and gazebo.

Prince George dates from 1807 and they make the most of their natural surroundings, offering over 120 parks with a range of fun diversions. Take a ride on the narrow gauge steam train in Fort George Park and a tour through the historic Huble Homestead, an early homestead and trading post. This is a city of the arts, boasting professional and amateur theatre companies, art galleries and a symphony.

In Vanderhoof, the registered Geographical Centre of British Columbia, explore the Vanderhoof Heritage Village Museum and the Potlatch House at the Aboriginal village of Stoney Creek.

Fort St. James, founded in 1806 by famed explorer Simon Fraser, is a National Historic Site where visitors can tour the authentic Hudson’s Bay Trading Post, while nearby Stuart Lake is a sportsman’s paradise.

Steeped in history, Fort Fraser is one of the oldest settlements in B.C. and their Fall Fair dates back to 1928, one of the oldest agricultural exhibitions in the province. Bordered by Beaumont Provincial Park, the nearby village of Fraser Lake is the White Swan Capital of the World, where hundreds of migrating trumpeter swans return each spring and fall.

Burns Lake is the main gateway to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, one of the largest parks in B.C. Extend your stay at a lakeside resort and tee off at nearby Carnoustic Golf Club.

Houston offers two famous fly-fishing rivers – the Bulkley and Morice, both teeming with steelhead. Stroll along the shores of Babine Lake, while a side trip to nearby Granisle should include the Granisle Museum, featuring replica bones of a woolly mammoth discovered in 1971.

Buttressed by Hudson Bay Mountain and glacier, Smithers offers unique learning vacations; courses ranging from guitar camps to avalanche awareness. Fine dining and unique shops are also a delight for visitors.

The Hazeltons is home to the world-renowned ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum. Visitors can explore a Gitksan village of traditional longhouses featuring a museum, art exhibit centre, gift shop, authentic totems and art studios. ‘Ksan stages traditional performances highlighting the legends behind the totem poles created at the Gitanmaax Carving School.

In the city of Terrace, a must-see is the Kitsumkalum Village that features magnificent totem poles; tour the Heritage Park Museum and visit the Northern Lights Studio with its original totem poles and Japanese garden. Close by, the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park resembles a lunar landscape. This area is a haven to the rare, white kermode or ‘spirit’ bear.

An interesting side trip is south on Hwy #37 to Kitimat. Explore the nearby North Port Pacific Cannery and Historic Fishing Village – the oldest standing cannery village on the B.C. coast.

The city of Prince Rupert is home to one of the largest and deepest ice-free seaports on the north coast, and is the gateway to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Experience native culture beginning with a special tour of the Museum of Northern B.C. tracing the 10,000 year Aboriginal history in the area, culminating in a Tsimshian potlatch featuring indigenous food, dancing, ancient stories and songs. Arrange a guided tour of the remote Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, accessible only by air or water. Make sure to arrange ferry passage to the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The islands appear through the ethereal mist as you cross the Hecate Strait from Prince Rupert on either the six-hour ferry trip or the one-hour flight. The Queen Charlotte Archipelago or Haida Gwaii “islands of the people” is located 80 km (50 miles) from the B.C. mainland. The temperate rain forests of the Haida Gwaii encompasses over 150 islands and is called Canada’s Galapagos due to the rare plants and wildlife that exist only here. Visit the charming fishing village of Masset on Graham Island, which together with Moresby are the largest of the islands. South Moresby is home to Gwaii Hanaas National Park Preserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Yellowhead Highway #5 the Route to Hope - more>