Area & Activities

Stay a few more days in our Lodge, take a lunch pack and have some adventurous trips in the Chilcotin back country, a huge area, stretching from the Fraser river to the Coastal Mountains divide. It's a land of dramatic landscapes and rivers, fantastic rock formations and hundreds of lakes... a land where vast ice fields and alpine meadows contrast the valleys and grasslands.

We arrived here late night by accident, but what we discovered the next morning was so great and beautiful that we decided to stay another night; besides the surroundings, the hosts are really great. - Kerstin & Michael, Berlin, Germany

The possibilities of things to see and do in the Chilcotin are almost endless, so we will just describe a few highlights in the direct surroundings of the Lodge:

• Farwell Canyon - The Chilcotin River runs through a desert-like landscape; erosion created magnificent hoodoos and sand dunes; watch the natives fish with dip nets for salmon in the season and look for the ancient pictographs on the rocks.
• Junction Sheep Range Park - This Provincial Park is a unique example of rolling grasslands in B.C., with a 4WD vehicle it is possible to follow a public trail that leads to a view of the confluence of the Fraser and Chilcotin rivers; a significant herd of California Bighorn Sheep roams free in the park.

Bighorn Sheep Photo: Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society

• Gang Ranch - Further south a lot of backroads will bring you to the Gang Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in B.C., situated in a stunning valley, it has its own post office, visits to the ranch are possible.
• Rodeo - In summer and early fall there are rodeos almost every weekend. The "big one" is the well-known Williams Lake Stampede (first weekend of July) but it is also very nice to visit a smaller one, be close to all the action and talk to the locals.

Anahim Rodeo

Were so glad we were delayed (coming from Gang Ranch) or else we would have passed and missed a wonderful visit. - Ken & Lesley Harrison, North Vancouver, BC

The activities in the area are plentiful too, most of it is self-guided, you can go "forever" on trails and gravel roads with your vehicle or mountain bike.

Some examples of trips by car:

• Freedom Highway with famous Hill
• Fraser River landscapes
• Gold Rush Trail
• Cariboo Waggon Road
• Inter Lakes Tour
• Barkerville Historic Town

Go hiking - and don't forget cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter!

The fishing is incredible, in rivers and lakes and, if you dare, take a dip on one of the many hot summer days. With your own canoe or kayak, you can explore one of the lake-chains. For rafting, the Chilko, Chilcotin and Fraser rivers range from smooth flat water to wild white water, in amazing scenery. Rafting outfitters offer various trips.

Overlooking the Fraser River

What a warm and cosy inn with friendly owners. Thank you for our relaxing stay after a full day of rafting. We shall certainly pass on the name to our friends at home, excellent food!! - Barb & Hank Smith, Gravenhurst, Oregon USA

In Riske Creek, local resident Douglas Green guides spectacular Jet Boat Tours on the Fraser and Chilcotin rivers - a totally different adventure!

Horseback riding: outfitters and ranches offer more day-trip packages that provide the ultimate outdoor experience as well as short trips, but you can bring your own horse, for $10 a night it stays in the large meadow in front of our Lodge.

Hunters have come to the Chilcotin Lodge for many decades in the season to hunt for different species of grouse and ducks and for deer and moose.

I've been thinking of you up there in "God's Country". It must be so beautiful right now. I'd love to see the Chilcotin in winter. Meanwhile I have my hunting memories to reminisce on until next time. Looking forward to seeing you and staying at your charming Lodge again in 2004. - Bruce and Cathy, Vancouver, BC. Guests for over 40 years!

The Chilcotin is an absolute paradise for wildlife viewing and bird watching!

Rufous Hummingbird

Horned Grebe

American Avocet

Throughout the area you may spot California Bighorn Sheep, black and grizzly bear, coyote, fox, timber wolf, lynx, moose, deer, cougar and even a few herds of wild horses. Bird species include waterfowl such as Canada goose, duck, loon, white pelican and many more, the plateau is the migration route for Sandhill Crane, bald eagle and pelican. This is also home for many other birds of prey and a wide variety of smaller birds.

We can provide our guests with detailed tourist information, books, maps.

Recommended:

• Friends of Churn Creek Protected Area Society. Help BC Parks achieve the conservation and cultural heritage vision for Churn Creek Protected Area.
• Spirit in the Grass -The Cariboo Chilcotin's forgotten Landscape by Chris Harris. Historically, British Columbia culture is grounded in these old-growth grasslands.
• Three against the Wilderness by Eric Collier,"An exciting story about a family, living the hard way in the bush in the 1940's". Order the book.
• Stranger Wycott's Place - Stories from the Cariboo-Chilcotin by John Schreiber. Explorations of the Chilcotin on foot, horseback and by four-wheel drive: a land of mountains and old trails. John is an "old-timer guest" who comes to the Lodge every Spring to share his incredible stories.
• Old Lives - in the Chilcotin Backcountry by John Schreiber.
• Chilcotin Ramblings by Felicity Rafferty Klassen. Her parents and brother, first owners of the Lodge, lived the Chilcotin life for over two decades. Her father, Tom Rafferty, built the Lodge, with help from local First Nation people, the Tsilhqot'in.

It was some 40 years ago I was here filming the C.B.C. series, Cariboo Country. We lived in the Lodge - all cast and crew; a little tight, but cosy!!! They were fun years with all the locals: Red Allison, Chief Dan George, Phil Keatley and Paul St Pierre. The Chilcotin Lodge is now beautiful. Cannot believe the work that has been done. - Bob Gray, producer.

HOW TO GET HERE From Vancouver the total distance to the Lodge is about 600 km. Drive Trans Canada Highway 1 or alternative Highway 99; from Cache Creek on Highway 97 North. In Williams Lake take "Freedom Highway" (Hwy.20) West to Riske Creek (48 km.) From Vancouver Island take the Discovery Coast Ferry / Port Hardy - Bella Coola, then drive 420 km. on Highway 20 to Riske Creek.