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THE
THOMPSON-NICOLA BC NATURE TOUR
2 to 3 days
Your
journey to Spences
Bridge along Highway 1 east takes you
through the Fraser
Canyon, British Columbia's premier
river-rafting country. At Spences Bridge, you will
turn onto BC Highway 8, towards Merritt.
This is prime farming and ranching country and the
beauty is well worth the drive. Take a stop at the
N'kwala Forest Recreation Site, approximately 46 km
(28 miles) from Spences Bridge.
Merritt
is best known for the Merritt Music festival, which
takes place in the Summer. From Merritt you will take
Highway 5a, another scenic, tranquil drive that winds
along the border of Nicola Lake. Great fishing opportunities
abound here.
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Kamloops
Lake
Photo Courtesy of Tourism British Columbia
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Quilchena
Hotel was built in 1908 as a midpoint stop for travellers
journeying between the towns of Nicola and Kamloops.
Open during the summer months, it is a great location
for a casual pub lunch, or a more formal dinner in
its main dining room.
At
the north end of Nicola
Lake is a favourite location for migratory
waterfowl. There are several parks in the areas that
are favourites for boaters and birdwatchers. Mineral
Hill, near Stump
Lake (45 km/28 miles from Merritt)
offers cross country skiing.
Kamloops
(50 km/31 miles from Merritt) is a great place for
heritage walking tours. Visit the Rocky Mountain Rangers
Museum, or take in some fishing in one of the 200
lakes in the Kamloops region.
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Hiking
in BC.
Photo Courtesy of Tourism British Columbia
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Heading
west on Highway 1, you will turn off on Highway 5
(Coquihalla Highway) south, and continue until you
come to exit 336, the access to Meadow Creek, Logan
Lake/Lac Le Jeune Road. Follow the signs to Logan
Lake. Camping opportunities abound
in this area, and there is no lack of freshwater lakes
to visit.
Your
tour continues west past the Highland Valley Copper
Mine to Ashcroft
(60km/38 miles from Logan Lake). The road descends
steeply as it approaches Ashcroft,
located at the base of a large valley, on the Thompson
River. Be sure to visit the Ashcroft
Manor, located on Highway 1 on the west end of town.
Spences
Bridge is approximately 30 km/19 south of Ashcroft,
home of the big horn sheep. Keep an eye out for them
and watch your speed in this area. The sheep live
in the cliffs above the town, but often come down
to the river for water.
From
Spences Bridge Highway 1 takes you back towards Hope
and the Vancouver area.
Be
sure to browse the Points of Interest:
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