Boating
the Large Lakes
of BC's Vancouver Region
The
Harrison
Lake area, is home to the legendary Sasquatch
(Big Foot), a giant apelike creature covered with
hair. The scientists are skeptical and waiting
for proof that the Sasquatch exists but there
are many believers. Keep your eyes peeled. The
Sasquatch might be just around the next bend in
the road or hiding behind a tree.
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Harrison
Lake
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Harrison
Hot Springs is referred to the Spa Capital
of Canada. Residents of this small town cater
to the people who come to take advantage of
the hot springs, health facilities and resort.
Two sulphur-potash springs bumble up from the
mountains on the west side of the lake making
Harrison Hot Springs popular with visitors and
locals.
British
Columbia history is intertwined with Harrison
Hot Springs and Harrison Lake. First Nations People
have visited the springs for thousands of years
and the aboriginal name for the lake means ‘hot
water'. St. Alice Hotel with a bathhouse, was
the first resort, built when the railway was under
construction in the year 1886. In 1920 fire destroyed
that hotel and the present one was opened in 1926.
Owners were given rights to the hot springs, with
a provision that a flow of the springs should
be available to the public. During World War 11,
the armed forces used the hotel.
Miners
heading to the Cariboo and the gold rush in 1859,
started their trip at Harrison Lake. They went
up lake by steamer to Port Douglas. From this
point on, the trip was by overland and by boat
to the goldfields in the interior. This route
was in use until the building of the Wagon Road
North.
Harrison
Hot Springs with accommodations,
restaurants, shops and other facilities looks
after visitors and local residents' needs. One
of the most popular
attractions at Harrison Hot Springs is the
large public pool with water temperature at 39
degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). A soak
in this pool, is believed to relief some ailments.
Boating,
sailing, fishing
and canoeing
are enjoyable activities on Harrison Lake. The
lake is 60 km. (37.2 mi.) long and storms are
sudden, so stay close to shore for protection.
On land are many hiking
trails and driving tours. Sasquatch
Provincial Park bordering on Harrison Lake
is an excellent place for camping. Learn about
the past with a visit to Kilby's General Store,
hotel, post office and horse barn. It is part
of Kilby
Provincial Park and camping facilities. A
visit to the Fraser
Valley is not complete, until you visit Harrison
Lake and Harrison Hot Springs.
