Lac La Hache to Williams Lake

Travel Hwy 97 (Cariboo Hwy) north from 100 Mile House.

Lac La Hache:
This large lake whose literal translation is "Lake of the Axe" is nearby to the LacLa Hache Provincial Park, with hiking trails, picnic area and boat launch. The entrance is located 13 km (8 miles) from Lac La Hache community.

Continue north on Hwy 97.

150 Mile House:
Another important stopping point along the Gold Rush Trail, 150 Mile House once served as a place to change stagecoaches before continuing west to the Chilcotin, or east to the goldfields. Today it is the turnoff east to some of the recreational areas near Horsefly, Quesnel Lake, Quesnel Forks and Likely.

Horsefly:
Located on the banks of the Horsefly River, an important salmon spawning stream, Horsefly is the site of the Cariboo's first gold discovery in 1859.

Jack Lynn Memorial Museum:
Located on Campbell Avenue, the museum features artifacts of the area's mining, logging, and trapping industry.

Horsefly Lake Provincial Park:
The park is located 13km (8 miles) northeast of Horsefly and offers excellent hiking and fishing.

Quesnel Lake:
Backed by impressive glacial mountain peaks and Wells Gray Provincial Park, some reaching 2400 m (8000 ft), this is the deepest lake in B.C. and the 2nd deepest on the continent. Quesnel Lake is located near Likely, 36km (22 miles) northeast of Horsefly.

Likely:
Access to Likely is via the back road from Horsefly or back to the junction. Take the north fork that goes past Big Lake, around Moorehead Lake and onto Likely. This small community on the Quesnel River mouth on Quesnel Lake is full of gold fever history. It is also known for its superb fishing, hunting and hiking.

Cedar Point Park:
Interesting mining artifacts may be found in this park. Camping is available among the cedars. Excellent access to the Quesnel River.

Quesnelle Forks:
Just past Likely, turn northeast at the Quesnelle Forks road sign for about 13km (8 miles). This road leads to what was once known "as BC's largest city north of Victoria". Unfortunately as the gold ran out, so did the people. In recent years restoration has begun on this heritage site.

Bullion Pit:
Heading back to Hwy 97, 5km (3 miles) west of Likely, is the world's largest gold mining pit, 90m (295 ft) deep and is over 3km (2 miles) long. This pit was created using hydraulic mining techniques.

Williams Lake:
The ranch at Williams Lake once raised food supplies for the gold fields but the town didn't begin to prosper until the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (now B.C. Rail) arrived in 1920. This community's diverse economic base includes ranching, farming, forestry and mining. Well known for the Williams Lake Stampede, this 4 day event established in the 1920's, is now part of the professional rodeo circuit.

Williams Lake Museum:
Located at 113 N. 4th Avenue, the museum displays artifacts depicting lifestyles of the areas pioneers. A 1947 pumper truck is on display across the street at the Fire Hall. A park with playgound, wading pool, tennis courts and picnic area is located accross the street.

Scout Island Nature & Recreation Centre:
These walking trails and the observation deck are a great place for children to explore nature's wonders. The Centre overlooks Williams Lake and the town itself. Guided tours are available. The trail head for the Williams Lake River Valley Trail is located here.

Bull Mountain Trails:
Located 19 km (12 miles) north of Williams Lake these trails serve as cross country ski trails in the winter and excellent biking and hiking trails in the spring and summer months. The Bull Mountain area offers visitors the Minton Creek Walk, a self-guided tour on the forest and its life cycle. Also take the Silviculture Trail and see how foresters use science to help them manage this woodlot.

Station House Gallery:
Dating back to the 1920's, this is the oldest building in Williams Lake. Located at the foot of Oliver Street, this is the original BC Rail Station. It now houses the local gallery featuring carvings, paintings and locally made crafts.

Xats'ull Heritage Village:
Participate in a cultural and spiritual experience in authentic native living before the white man's arrival. Sample traditional fare, view ancient petroglyphs (located near the teepee circle) and visit a mini workshop. Reservations are needed to visit this heritage village.

Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce:
The Cariboo Chilcotin, with its kaleidoscope of colors and hues, is the perfect year round playground, and in the centre of it all is the City of Williams Lake. Enjoy a dream vacation with the help of the Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce the informed and friendly staff is well versed on Williams Lake and area.

Anahim Lake Resort: We offer rustic simplicity, down-home service & excellent fly-in and guided fishing. Relax in a cozy cabin or RV and lakeshore campsites. There’s boat and motor rentals, trail riding, flight seeing, hiking, & even winding surfing -- or just relax and watch t... more

Big Creek Lodge: Live your dream of untouched nature and pure wilderness at our 4 Star country inn in the Chilcotin - one of the province's most remote areas. Take part in hiking, photo safaris, fishing, horseback riding, gold-panning, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. more

British Columbia Guest Ranchers' Association: Our guest ranch membership offers a variety of ranch holidays. Some are working ranches, others remote lodges in pristine back country areas and some are luxury resorts. You're sure to find something to fit your taste with the help of our assocation. more

Cariboo Chilcotin Jetboat Adventures: We offer exhilarating jetboat tours on the Fraser, Chilcotin & Chilko Rivers – & outdoor wilderness adventure with wilderness / wildlife, native culture, gold rush history, & hiking. Our professionally trained Chilcotin native guides offer exceptional customer... more

Chaunigan Lake Lodge: The wild rainbow trout fishing and the total experience draw our guests back each year. Go trail riding, hike to spectacular viewpoints, or just relax in our legendary hospitality and comfort. It's more than an incredible fishing trip - it's a memorable vacat... more

City of Williams Lake: Welcome to the "Heart of Cariboo Country". Williams Lake offers the visitor a myriad of activities and outdoor adventures, including the world famous Williams Lake Stampede. Visit the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, Scout Island Nature Sanctuary, the River V... more

Crooked Lake Resort: This is a private & secluded wilderness location, where the peace & silence is broken only by the loon’s mournful cry or a lone wolfs soulful howl. Escape to enjoy back-country recreation - or seclusion & solitude. Be our guest for a relaxing stay you'll reme... more

Ecotours-BC.com: Adventure in the wilds of BC … untamed, wild and remote. Ecotours-BC will take you to rare ancient forests, glaciers, and the alpine. You’ll see wildlife, mountain grizzly bears, eagles, and salmon – all surrounding Quesnel Lake - the deepest fjord lake on e... more

Elysia Resort: Our full service getaway destination on Quesnel Lake offers fishing for Rainbow Trout, romantic getaways, great dining, and vacation packages in lakeview rental cabins & guest rooms. You'll be warmly greeted at our small, friendly and secluded piece of paradi... more

Escott Bay Resort: The adventure starts with fishing, hiking, horseback trail riding, pack trips and hunting – and with the snow comes x-country skiing & snowmobiling. Located between Tweedsmuir and Itcha Ilgachuz Parks, we offer fully serviced cabins and camping facilities. more

Forever Framed: We sell framed & unframed; prints, posters & original works of art. Forever Framed specializes in unique customized picture framing and matting. Let us "frame your memories" including christening gowns, photo collages, and memorabilia shadow boxes. more

Historic Hat Creek Ranch: Explore Cariboo gold rush buildings, pioneer days of ranching & transportation, and the valley’s early use by the Shuswap Nation. It’s a blend of cultures in the sage, bunchgrass & pines with stagecoach rides, a restaurant & gift shop, accommodations, & more... more

Kokanee Bay Fishing Resort: Kokanee Bay Fishing Resort is in the heart of the Chilcotin on beautiful Puntzi Lake. Enjoy fishing for Kokanee and Rainbow Trout. We have 6 lakefront cabins, 8 lakefront campsites, and 7 pull-through suites. more

Marigold Resort: Let the call of the Loon bring you to our lakeside family vacation spot on Loon Lake. We offer cabin accommodations and camping facilities, and a playground for the children. The lake is naturally stocked, and rainbows up to 1½ pounds are plentiful. more

Nature Trails Wilderness Lodge Ltd.: Our unique fly-in lodge, at Tetachuck Lake on the edge of Tweedsmuir Park, is BC’s last true wilderness. Explore, go canoe, hike, go kayaking, fishing, see wildlife, or relax in a cozy rustic lakefront cabin. Be sure to check out our Whitesail Wilderness Out... more

Northern Lights Lodge: Join us for dry fly fishing on world-class rivers & Quesnel Lake, for the largest most aggressive strain of rainbow trout on the planet. You’ll experience wild native trout and river fishing at its best. We’re located on Quesnel Lake, the deepest freshwater f... more

Pacific Coastal Airlines: Enjoy scheduled service from Vancouver's South Terminal to Anahim Lake, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Campbell River, Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Klemtu, Masset, Port Hardy (float & amphibious aircraft to coastal communities), Powell River, Trail, Victoria, & Will... more

Rainbow Waters Fly Fishing Adventures: Rainbow Waters Fly Fishing Adventures offers guided fly fishing in the pristine wilderness of the Cariboo Mountains of British Columbia. From diverse stillwaters to Sockeye salmon creeks and rivers, the exceptionally beautiful and unique Quesnel Lake ecosystem... more

Sharp Wings Air: Charter us for fishing, camping, hiking, sightseeing, photography. Our Floats, wheels and skis will get you almost anywhere you want to go. Sharp Wings is an air-taxi operation with flights to and from Bella Coola daily, and flight training is also available... more

Tatlow Mountain Outfitters: Tatlow Mountain Outfitters is a licensed BC Hunting Guide and Outfitter offering guided big game hunts in the Chilcotin region of British Columbia. We also offer a wide range of wilderness adventures and activities including fishing, pack horse trips and alpin... more

Wildwood Campsite: We feature full hookups, pull thru sites, sani-station, & free hot showers. Use our campsite as a base for many of the activities that the Cariboo has to offer including fishing, hiking, rodeos, Billy Barker Days, snowmobiling, skiing, & a casino just an hour... more

Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce: This is the perfect year round playground and in the centre of it all is the City of Williams Lake. Enjoy a dream vacation with the help of the WL and District Chamber of Commerce. The informed and friendly staff is well versed on Williams Lake and area. more

Williams Lake PowderKings Snowmobile Club: Snowmobiling, heights, magnificent views and trails abounding - Yanks Peak offers 80 kms (50 mi) of marked trails. The 1908 metre (6,300 ft) mountain provides challenges for intermediate or better sledders. The Williams Lake PowderKings Snowmobile Club has a s... more

Williams Lake Stampede Association: During the July 1st weekend take in the world famous Williams Lake Stampede -- it's exciting Cnadian Professional Rodeo Association action with Bull Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bareback Riding, the Pony Express Mountain Race, Ladies Barrel Racing and more. Don't... more