Seeley Lake Provincial Park British Columbia Canada (Photos)

Above Photo: Sign for the Seeley Lake Provincial Park British Columbia. 

Continuing our journey from Terrace on our way back home to Houston, B.C., we stopped at a very scenic place called Seeley Lake, which is a British Columbia Provincial Park. Now if you haven’t been there and will be traveling this way, you have to stop. The lake sits right along side the Yellowhead Highway, which has been designated as Highway 16.

Below I have a link to a map which gives the location of the Seeley Lake Provincial Park. 

Seeley Lake Provincial Park Location Map:

The park is beautiful, the backdrop of mountains will blow you away. The mountain tops are jagged, with a fresh bit of snow. As your eyes make their way down the mountain, you see a carpet of green that covers the barren rock until it finally meets the shores of Seeley Lake. 

The Fall colours are starting to show, with the leaves turning red and golden yellow. There is one thing about living in British Columbia, is that we have four distinct seasons and everyone one of them is as beautiful as you will find anywhere.

Above Photo: The Fall colours are showing.

When we pulled off the Highway, another vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot, you could hear the couple shouting out, “amazing”, and off they went to snap a bunch of photos.

We did speak to them and they were heading to Alaska, but they first wanted to take a side trip and stop in Stewart B.C., then drive across the border into Hyder, Alaska to take in the Salmon Glacier, and stop at the famous Glacier Inn to get Hyderized, which is a good shot of 150 proof alcohol. I have been to Hyder myself a couple of times, but I still haven’t been Hyderized. I believe the couples final destination was Haines, Alaska. 

Seeley Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located south of the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley River at Hazelton, and to the south of that settlement.

Above Photo: Sealy Lake and "Medeek". 

Also note that there seems to be two different spellings for the lake.

The Seeley Lake Park is approximately 24 hectares in size, it has  really nice campground and there are 20 campsites available and pit toilets in and around the campsites.

You can have campfires in the park, but please check to see if there might be a ban on campfires due to the hot dry weather.

Ban and Restriction Details:

The park provides a day-use picnic area right on the shoreline of Seeley Lake. While eating your lunch, you will have a wonderful scenic view of the mountains, which are truly beautiful.

People from around the area, and travelers swim at the lake, and others bird watch or keep their eye open for other wildlife.

 Above Photo: Mountain and forest reflection on the calm Seeley Lake.

There is water in the park, it is situated in the parking lot by way of a hand pump. Not only do you get your water, but also a workout while pumping the water into your container. 

There also is a wildlife viewing platform located at the waters edge on Seeley Lake, just take a short hike on the walking trail to the platform. Information on the trail is located at the lake.

Pets are allowed, but please have your pet on a leash at all time. Also your pet is not allowed in beach areas or in park buildings. Make sure you have a bag to pick up your pets droppings.

There is fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout in Seeley Lake.

Above Photo: Jagged mountain top with a little snow. 

Canoeing through the marsh area at Seeley Lake is rewarding with the backdrop of the Hazelton Mountains. Electric motors only are allowed in Seeley Lake and there is no boat launch available.

In the winter months, you can ice skate or try your luck at ice fishing on the lake, but always check the thickness for safety sake.

 For more information on the Seeley Lake Provincial Park.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/seeley_lk/

Our next stop is at New Hazelton at the Visitors Centre. Boy, do they have some awesome characters outside on the grounds. They really have a nice centre for their visitors.

Plus after that, the Ksan Historical Village. So lots to come.

If you have a picture or story you would like to share on the Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

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Old Skeena Bridge Over The Skeena River Terrace British Columbia (Photo/Video)

Above Photo: The Terrace, British Columbia Visitor/Kermode Tourism Centre. "Location Map".

Our last stop was in Moricetown, British Columbia, where I filmed the First Nation people fishing on the Bulkley River. From Moricetown I drove almost directly to Terrace so I wouldn’t miss my appointment. I did a couple of fast stops, but they were quick.

Later that day, I stop by the Terrace visitor’s centre, grabbed a picture and then went looking for the Old Skeena Bridge. Lucky for me it was visible from another bridge on Highway 16.

I parked the car at the side of Highway 16 and walked back to where I could see, and get a photo, and video of the old Skeena Bridge crossing the Skeena River. I must admit, it was pretty cool.

From there we started to head back toward home, stopping at a few different places a long the way. 

Below text information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace,_British_Columbia

The Old Skeena Bridge officially opened July 1925, halting the use of the Ferry Island ferry service to Thornhill Creek. In 1944, the Skeena River Highway between Terrace and Prince Rupert was ceremoniously opened with a convoy of Canadian and American army bands that were part of the troops stationed there during World War II. Terrace could now easily transport to anywhere in British Columbia.

Above Photo: The Old Skeena Bridge officially opened July 1925, halting the use of the 

Ferry Island ferry service to Thornhill Creek.

To view the video footage I took of the Old Skeena Bridge crossing the Skeena River, 

please visit the following link. 

Video footage is on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/EgrIQuAAlPU

During the construction of the rail line to Kitimat in the early 1950s, new pilings were poured beside the existing structure and the bridge deck was moved to the new, higher pilings. The original pilings were then used to hold a new rail bridge across the Skeena River for the CNR line to Kitimat. This arrangement is still in place today.

This bridge now shares its load with the Dudley Little Bridges (often referred to as the New Skeena Bridges), a series of two two-way bridges crossing both channels of the Skeena River at Ferry Island and creating a bypass route of downtown Terrace for Highway 16. The new bridges, constructed circa 1975, are fully paved and offer uninterrupted two-way traffic flow, as opposed to the old single-lane bridge controlled by traffic lights. 

The foundations of the new bridge are prepared for future twinning. The Old Skeena Bridge was once noted for being the largest curved wooden-plank bridge in North America until its decking was replaced with metal grate decking in 2002 due to concerns of safety and upkeep. A concrete-surfaced pedestrian section was installed at the same time, behind an existing divider, to allow for safe bicycle and pedestrian use of the structure with the removal of the solid wooden deck planks.

Above Photo: Skeena River Boats. - From 1889, sternwheelers and smaller craft, fought their way through the Coast Mountains, churning past such awesome places as "The Devil's Elbow" and "The Hornet's Nest". Men and supplies were freighted upstream, furs and gold downstream. A quarter century of colour and excitement began to fade in 1912, as the 

Grand Trunk Pacific neared completion.

Information and photos on the Steamboats of the Skeena River.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamboats_of_the_Skeena_River

Below Photos:  These are some other pictures I took of the Skeena River.

Below Photos: The two pictures below are of the Copper River. The river has a beautiful color to it, and the picture directly below you can see a fisherman fishing for Steelhead.

Video Clip on YouTube : I took a little bit of video of the Copper River here in British Columbia. If you look down river a bit, you will see a fisherman fishing for Steelhead. People were fishing for Steelhead along the Copper River and the Skeena River. 


To watch the video clip: https://youtu.be/7bEIu_blN4k

Below Photo: I had pulled the car over as my wife was taking over some of the driving, which was awesome. So while we were stopped, I took a picture of the highway and mountains in front of us.

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From Houston Stopping At Kathlyn Lake Smithers/Moricetown Canyon British Columbia (Video/Photos)

Above Photo: I pulled the car over to the side of the road on Highway 16 and took a picture of a small cloud hanging over the mountain top, seen through a light fog. 

Yesterday, my wife, our dog Peanut and myself drove the three hours from Houston, British Columbia to Terrace. 

When we left Houston, it looked eerie as fog had set in, and over night we had a good frost that coated pretty much everything, but I did have an appointment that I had to keep in Terrace, so we had to go.

Every now and then the fog would lift just a little, displaying one of our beautiful snowcapped mountains here in British Columbia, but it quickly was covered up in a blanket of fog once again.

We continued on our journey towards Smithers, which is a neighboring town from Houston. In spots, the fog was heavier than others, but I did get lucky and took a photo of Kathlyn Lake with the mountains standing behind it.

Above Photo: Mountains seen from Highway 16 outside of Smithers, B.C.

As someone who likes fishing, Kathlyn Lake can produce some nice fish, with Cutthroat Trout up to 1 - 1.5 lbs. It is also stocked regularly with Trout, making it a good place to fish with easy access, plus the scenery is eye popping. The beauty about this lake is, it sits just off Highway 16 where I took the photo from. 

Above Photo: Same mountains, but with Kathlyn Lake in Smithers B.C. in the shot.

Here is a map for Kathlyn Lake in Smithers, British Columbia. Actually, the lake is straight across from the Smithers Airport, so an easy find for everyone.

Also here is a website to Kathlyn Lake Park in Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, this can provide more information about the lake and what is available. 

After taking the photo, I jumped back in the car and we continued to our next stop, which was in Moricetown. I wanted to make sure I got some pictures and video. 

The fog started rolling in heavier in Moricetown, but I took some pictures and video anyway. Actually, the video turned out awesome, the fog made it look great.

This you will love, the Bulkley River funnels through a canyon, and just above the canyon the First Nations people fish in the pools for the Salmon that are trying to make their way up the Bulkley River to spawn. The people use nets on long poles to reach down into the water to scoop up the fish. 

Also there is fish ladder there so the Salmon can continue their journey up river.

Above Photo: First Nations people fish for Salmon with long dip nets.

Below is a link to a video I took of the people fishing, and the spectacular canyon in Moricetown, British Columbia.

Video Footage on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/J4zE8-z6sn4

Here you can find some information on Moricetown, B.C. 

This is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moricetown/

In my next posting, more photos of scenery from Terrace, British Columbia and after that, my visit to the Kasan Historic First Nation village. 

If you have a picture or story you would like to share on the Travel British Columbia with Brian Vike blog, please contact me at b_vike@telus.net

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A Beautiful Place To Visit - Granisle British Columbia (Photos)

Above Photo: Welcoming you to Granisle British Columbia.

A few days ago my wife and I took a drive up to Granisle British Columbia, which is only a 58 minute from home here in Houston, B.C. and  approximately 78.2 km by way of the Yellowhead Highway 16 east and Central Babine Lake Highway 118.

We stopped along the way as I wanted to take some photos of a few things I had seen while driving the highway in the past. As we made our way into Granisle, and on the left hand side of the road stood a brand new sign welcoming visitors to the village of Granisle.

Now I had not been up to Granisle for some years, although it is rather close to home, I just never made it back. Now from my recent visit, I was pleasantly surprised, not only did Granisle have a new sign, but entire makeover on the grounds of the Granisle Visitors Centre. 

Above Photo: Granisle's Visitors Centre.

In front of me was the Granisle Memorial Park, a large area in grass, with a black walkway that felt like you were walking on a sponge, it was really nice. Also on the grounds were new trees which were already turning colors, reds and golden colored leaves with us now into the fall season. 

There were colorful flowers that were still in bloom, evergreen trees which in time will grow to be giants, giving people shade while enjoying in the park. There were new picnic tables for folks to have a meal on, also there were park bench's scattered about, where one could sit back to admire everything that was in the park, and it truly is a beautiful place to be.

Also at the Granisle Visitors Centre is a museum, which holds artifacts from around Granisle, and even mammoth bones from ages past.

Above Photo: Large bucket in the Granisle Memorial Park used to dig up mineral at one of the mines that was operating around Granisle.

If you haven't visited Granisle before and maybe plan to, bring your cameras as wildlife can be seen roaming throughout the area, from Grizzly, Black bear, Deer, Moose and everything B.C. has to offer. Bring your fishing rods as fishing in the area is awesome, I should know as I fished many lakes around Granisle. 

There is hiking past gorgeous scenery, canoeing along the shores of Babine Lake, camping, biking and the list goes on. In the winter months there is snow shoeing, cross country skiing and ice fishing. It really is endless when you have such a wonderful place to visit.

Above Photo: Some of the colorful trees seen in the Granisle Memorial Park.

I know I will be back, and I am sure the residents of Granisle will welcome you to their little bit of paradise .

Below text information provided from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Visit the page at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granisle

Granisle is a village on Babine Lake in the Northern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, to the north of Topley between Burns Lake and Houston.

History

The early inhabitants of the area were Carrier Indians, called "Babine" by the early explorers, referring to the distended ornamented lower lips of the native women.

Above Photo: The soft black walkway seen in the Granisle Memorial Park.

The village of Granisle was founded in the late 1960s and early 1970s on the shores of Babine Lake as a home for the families of the miners working in the nearby copper mines. Granisle was incorporated as a village in 1971. At the height of its population, Granisle boasted approximately 3,000 people.

After the last mine shut down in 1992, the community transformed into a retirement destination. Tourism in the area also began to grow and is now the area's main industry.

In 1971 workmen excavating in an open-pit copper mine at Babine Lake discovered the partly articulated skeleton of a Columbian Mammoth. The bones were taken from silty pond deposits overlain by very thick boulder-clay deposited by the last glacier that covered the area. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the animal sank in sticky pond deposits about 34,000 years ago. A replica of some of the Mammoth's Bones can be seen at the Granisle Museum.

Above Photo: Also in the Granisle Memorial Park, it appears to be an amphitheater where folks can host events from, or maybe where a band performs from.

Above Photo: Babine Lake seen from Granisle, B.C.

Above Photo: Boats tied up at the marina on Babine Lake in Granisle. 

Welcome to the Village of Granisle's webpage.

http://www.granisle.net/siteengine/activepage.asp

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Red Bluff Provincial Park Granisle British Columbia (Photos/Video)

Above Photo: This sign greets visitors at the entrance of the Red Bluff Provincial Park.

Red Bluff Provincial Park is located on Babine Lake, just minutes s

outh from Granisle, British Columbia. 

Red Bluff got it's name from the iron stained cliffs which run down into the lake. 

The park is beautiful, you can swim, suntan on the beach and fish for nice sized rainbow trout and Lake Char up to 35 pounds. 

Also, depending on the time of year, but in late August into September you can take in the nearby Fulton River Sockeye Salmon spawning channels to watch the red colored sockeye  make their way into the channels, and river to drop their eggs so a new generation of young salmon can be born.

Something else which is interesting, Babine Lake is the longest natural 

fresh water lake in British Columbia.

Above Photo: A few washed up logs that could have traveled for miles on the water before 

resting on the shores of Babine Lake.

Babine Lake is located northeast of the town of Burns Lake in central British Columbia, some 177 km (110 mi) west northwest of the city of Prince George. 

It is 153 km (95 mi) long, 2–10 km (1.2–6.2 mi) wide, and has a net area of 479 km2 (185 sq mi) and a total area of 495 km2 (191 sq mi), including islands on the lake which cover 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi). It lies at an elevation of 711 m (2,333 ft).

It drains northwest into the Babine River, an important tributary of the Skeena.

Above Photo: A nice ramp in which you can walk down onto the floating dock. You can tie up your boat, keeping them ready for your next time out fishing or just taking a cruise around the lake. 

There are several provincial parks on Babine Lake. Below are the ones that are listed.

Pendleton Bay Site.

Smithers Landing Site.

Topley Landing Provincial Park.

Red Bluff Provincial Park.

Above Photo: Someone has there boat ready with fishing rods set to go. Please remember to have your lifejackets in good order, as they will save your life.

Below Link: I thought it might be nice to take a short video of the boat moving about on the ripples in the water. The video is just like the photo above. On YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q873Uu95_1Q&feature=share

Facilities that are available at this Park.

Boat Launch.
Drinking Water.
Picnic Areas.
Campfires.
Vehicle Accessible Camping.

Activities available at the Park.

Canoeing.
Cycling.
Fishing.
Hiking.
Swimming.

Full list at the Red Bluff Provincial Park website:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/red_bluff/#Hiking

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Snowmobile Building Mural Houston British Columbia (Photo)

I have been running around town today and just noticed that there were three painted Murals on buildings that I had not seen before. Houston, B.C. is not a big town, and I must have driven by these hundreds of times and for some reason I never noticed them.

This mural shows a snowmobiler flying through the snow in our winter time.

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