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No other region in
British
Columbia
tops High Country for its sheer range of
physical variety. Within its borders, it
encompasses the rolling hills of ranch country,
the dry, high-walled canyons of the Fraser and
Thompson Rivers, the majestic mountains of the
Rockies, Monashees, Selkirks and other ranges,
and calm, beach-lined lakes, including some of
the best houseboating lakes in Canada. One of
the most scenic routes to the
Rockies runs through much of
the region; just as you catch your breath after
seeing one spectacular view, you round a corner
and some other sight takes it away again.
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The romance of our old west
The Coquihalla highway takes you directly from
the Fraser Valley to
Kamloops,
a major centre in this region since 1812. Along
the way, stop at Merritt, heart of the
Nicola Valley's ranching country. Nearby, tour
the massive Douglas Lake Cattle Ranch or visit
the Quilchena Hotel, which dates back to 1908,
and still boasts of bullet holes in the bar.
Visit one of High Country's many guest ranches
or take in a rodeo. Bring your fishing rod too -
the area has many fine fishing lakes. In
Kamloops, drop by the Kamloops Wildlife Park, or
take a trip back to the city's riverboat days on
a Thompson River cruise. You may want to visit Cache Creek
to see Historic Hat Creek Ranch or travel south
to the town of
Ashcroft
on the shores of the Thompson River. Visit
Ashcroft Manor Teahouse, once a stopping point
on the Cariboo Wagon Road, the road that took
miners to the gold fields in the 1860s and '70s.
At Logan Lake, you can step into the present for
a tour of the fascinating Highland Valley Copper
Mine operation. |
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Water, water everywhere
It comes in two speeds here. If you're
interested in the faster variety, try
whitewater rafting on the Adams,
Clearwater, Thompson or Illecillewaet
Rivers. Or visit the massive Revelstoke
or Mica dams. On a more placid note, go
houseboating on one of the lakes in the
Shuswap area; there are over 1000
kilometres of navigable waterways and
secluded beaches here. (While you're
cruising in Salmon Arm Bay, watch for
the elusive Western Grebe, as well as
over 150 other species of birds.) Rather
let someone else do the steering? Come
aboard the Moyie I or the
Phoebe Ann for a scenic lake cruise.
One water experience many people come
back for: the extraordinary Adams River
salmon run-in October over 200,000
salmon will return to spawn. Speaking of
fish, High Country has over 500 lakes
and streams full of the incomparable
Kamloops trout. |
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Mountains of history
In the Monashees, see how pioneers survived life
in these rugged mountains at Three Valley Gap,
where there are more than two dozen restored
buildings from the 1880s. Nearby Craigellachie
was where Canada was finally joined, sea to
shining sea, by the railway back in 1885. Be
sure to discover the excitement of the steam era
at the Revelstoke Railway Museum. In
Kamloops, the Secwepemc Native Heritage Park
features a museum and full scale village
reconstruction interpreting the traditional
culture and lifestyle of the Secwepemc people.
Travel the scenic and very historic Fraser
Canyon, which cuts a dramatic swath thrugh the
mountains. The Fraser River was one of the
primary water routes of the early explorers, and
played a major role in the gold rush of the
1860s. Catch a ride in the tram over harrowing
Hell's Gate. |
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Our mountainous parks
High Country has some of the most spectacular mountain parks in
North America, including Glacier
National Park, Mount Revelstoke National
Park and Mount Robson Provincial
Park, which features the highest
peak in the Canadian Rockies. In
Wells Gray Provincial Park,
visit beautiful
Helmcken
Falls.
There's hiking, horseback riding and
canoeing in pristine settings and plenty
of wilderness here for those who want to
get away from it all. |
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