Most Scenic Route to Kamloops from Victoria?
Jul 5th, 2004 | 09:53 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
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Most Scenic Route to Kamloops from Victoria?
We would like to take the most scenic driving route to Kamloops from Victoria. We do not care about how much time it would take as are anticipating stopping along the way and making an entire day of it.
If are taking the ferry to Schwartz Bay (and touring Vicotoria for two days); my thought was to drive Hwy.1 to Nanaimo then take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. From there I need suggestions on the nicest route to Kamloops. Too, if anyone can include suggestions on scenic places to stop as well as some places to eat on the way, it would be much appreciated.
Naturally, we like to do this all during daylight. Thank you kindly.
If are taking the ferry to Schwartz Bay (and touring Vicotoria for two days); my thought was to drive Hwy.1 to Nanaimo then take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. From there I need suggestions on the nicest route to Kamloops. Too, if anyone can include suggestions on scenic places to stop as well as some places to eat on the way, it would be much appreciated.
Naturally, we like to do this all during daylight. Thank you kindly.
Jul 5th, 2004 | 10:07 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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Definately the most scenic route would be through the Fraser Canyon on Trans Canada Highway #1 all the way. Among the top attractions along the way, outside of Greater Vancouver, would be the Minter Gardens just past Chilliwak, the Hells Gate AirTram just before Boston Bar and, if you are so inclined, White Water rafting around Lytton. the latter can take as little as a couple of hours to a couple of days.
Another route which is quite a bit slower and I don't believe as scenic is Highway 99 North from Horseshoe Bay through Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Lilooet rejoining the Trans Canada just north of Cache Creek. Although the views of Howe Sound on the part between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish are supurb, the rest of the trip is not nearly as scenic as the Fraser Canyon route.
The Coquihalla route #5 after Hope is strictly for speed and, while scenic, is thee least so of the three routes.
Another route which is quite a bit slower and I don't believe as scenic is Highway 99 North from Horseshoe Bay through Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton and Lilooet rejoining the Trans Canada just north of Cache Creek. Although the views of Howe Sound on the part between Horseshoe Bay and Squamish are supurb, the rest of the trip is not nearly as scenic as the Fraser Canyon route.
The Coquihalla route #5 after Hope is strictly for speed and, while scenic, is thee least so of the three routes.
Jul 5th, 2004 | 10:25 AM
#3
Joined: Dec 2003
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Ditto to everything GaryA says (he and I seem to agree on most things!)
Highway 1, especially the section through the Fraser Canyon, is stunning. There is a spot near Boston Bar where you can pull over and, way way down below you, see two railway bridges that cross the Canyon just yards from each other (one for Canadian Pacific, one for Canadian National). It's a miracle that two railway lines, one on each side of the Canyon, manage to cling to the rocks. If you're at all interested in railways, this is a must-see. And if you're interested in model railways, this is one of the scenes most often modelled in North America. I don't have a road map to hand, but I'll check the exact location this evening and post here again tomorrow.
I believe the drive from Victoria to Kamloops would, in any case, take most of a day. It's as far as I would want to drive in one day, given the wait at the ferry terminal, the ferry trip itself, and the traffic congestion in the Lower Mainland (around Vancouver). Though once you break free of Vancouver, you should have a great trip.
As GaryA says, highway 99 is also most enjoyable. The road from Lillooet to Cache Creek is little-travelled and visually impressive. Less stunning than Highway 1, but still beautiful, pastoral country amongst the mountains.
Highway 1, especially the section through the Fraser Canyon, is stunning. There is a spot near Boston Bar where you can pull over and, way way down below you, see two railway bridges that cross the Canyon just yards from each other (one for Canadian Pacific, one for Canadian National). It's a miracle that two railway lines, one on each side of the Canyon, manage to cling to the rocks. If you're at all interested in railways, this is a must-see. And if you're interested in model railways, this is one of the scenes most often modelled in North America. I don't have a road map to hand, but I'll check the exact location this evening and post here again tomorrow.
I believe the drive from Victoria to Kamloops would, in any case, take most of a day. It's as far as I would want to drive in one day, given the wait at the ferry terminal, the ferry trip itself, and the traffic congestion in the Lower Mainland (around Vancouver). Though once you break free of Vancouver, you should have a great trip.
As GaryA says, highway 99 is also most enjoyable. The road from Lillooet to Cache Creek is little-travelled and visually impressive. Less stunning than Highway 1, but still beautiful, pastoral country amongst the mountains.
Jul 6th, 2004 | 07:49 AM
#5
Joined: Dec 2003
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Here is the information that I mentioned earlier on this thread, in connection with the railway bridges that cross the Fraser Canyon. It's copied from the BC Travel Handbook.
"Siska (Cisco) Bridges: About 31 km north of Boston Bar, there is a pullout on the east side of the highway (Highway 1) for a view of the twin bridges: the Canadian Pacific Railway crosses from the east bank of the mighty Fraser to the west, and the Canadian National Railway crosses from the west to the east. Nowhere along the canyon is there enough room to run more than one railway on each side for any useful distance. During the Second World War, this was considered a crucial national transportation junction, and security guards watched it closely."
To this, I would add that a more impressive view of the bridges is not the pullout on the east side of Highway 1, but rather a small maintenance depot on the west side. Just near the pullout on the east (shortly before or after the pullout; I can't remember) you will see, on the east side of the highway, a pile of gravel. Directly across from the pile of gravel, on the west side of the highway, is an unpaved service road and a small car park for railway maintenance vehicles. Turn off the highway onto the service road and follow it across the railway tracks. The road continues for about 50 metres. At the end of the road, get out of your car, walk to the cliff (be careful!) and look north, to your right. A spectacular view of those two bridges crossing "the mighty Fraser."
As to which route to take from Vancouver to Kamloops...I looked at the road map last night and here's what I'd recommend.
1. Highway 1 or Highway 7 from Vancouver to Hope. (Highway 1 is faster, but highway 7 is less travelled and more picturesque).
2. Highway 1 from Hope through the Fraser Canyon to Lytton. (Boston Bar and the two bridges are about midway between Hope and Lytton).
3. Highway 12 from Lytton to Lillooet.
4. Highway 99 from Lillooet to just north of Cache Creek.
5. Highway 1 from Cache Creek to Kamloops.
This provides a spectacular range of scenery, from rolling farmland to breathtaking mountains and canyons. Following this route rather than taking Highway 1 all the way from Vancouver to Kamloops will add about 75 km to your trip, but it's well worth it.
Hope this helps.
"Siska (Cisco) Bridges: About 31 km north of Boston Bar, there is a pullout on the east side of the highway (Highway 1) for a view of the twin bridges: the Canadian Pacific Railway crosses from the east bank of the mighty Fraser to the west, and the Canadian National Railway crosses from the west to the east. Nowhere along the canyon is there enough room to run more than one railway on each side for any useful distance. During the Second World War, this was considered a crucial national transportation junction, and security guards watched it closely."
To this, I would add that a more impressive view of the bridges is not the pullout on the east side of Highway 1, but rather a small maintenance depot on the west side. Just near the pullout on the east (shortly before or after the pullout; I can't remember) you will see, on the east side of the highway, a pile of gravel. Directly across from the pile of gravel, on the west side of the highway, is an unpaved service road and a small car park for railway maintenance vehicles. Turn off the highway onto the service road and follow it across the railway tracks. The road continues for about 50 metres. At the end of the road, get out of your car, walk to the cliff (be careful!) and look north, to your right. A spectacular view of those two bridges crossing "the mighty Fraser."
As to which route to take from Vancouver to Kamloops...I looked at the road map last night and here's what I'd recommend.
1. Highway 1 or Highway 7 from Vancouver to Hope. (Highway 1 is faster, but highway 7 is less travelled and more picturesque).
2. Highway 1 from Hope through the Fraser Canyon to Lytton. (Boston Bar and the two bridges are about midway between Hope and Lytton).
3. Highway 12 from Lytton to Lillooet.
4. Highway 99 from Lillooet to just north of Cache Creek.
5. Highway 1 from Cache Creek to Kamloops.
This provides a spectacular range of scenery, from rolling farmland to breathtaking mountains and canyons. Following this route rather than taking Highway 1 all the way from Vancouver to Kamloops will add about 75 km to your trip, but it's well worth it.
Hope this helps.
