Trip Highlights
| Day 1: |
| Arrival and welcome at Jericho Beach in West Vancouver. This district of Vancouver has fantastic views across to the downtown area and the mountain backdrop of the Coastal Mountain Range. |
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| Day 2: |
| Gold Rush Heritage Trail 7-10 hours
Travel North through the Fraser Canyon and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery while following the original route of the gold seekers back in the 1800s. There will be a number of stops throughout the journey to enjoy some of the heritage sites and take photos. We will stop overnight at comfortable rustic style cabins.
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| Day 3: |
| Rainbow Trailhead to Lester's Camp 3-5 hours
This morning you will head to the coral where the horses are kept, at the trailhead. Here you will meet the horse packers and organise personal and group kit for loading onto the pack train. The group will then leave the coral and follow the trail to Lester's Camp. The trail winds its way through forested plateau and over a couple of streams before crossing open alpine meadows into a small valley where the camp nestles into the edge of a small forested hill with a stream running though. There is no significant elevation gain or loss so a nice gentle start to the trail after the travelling and chance to really take in the landscapes. Once in camp there will be a brief about camp etiquette and safety before setting tents etc. |
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| Day 4: |
| Dome Peak/Ridge Walk 5-7 hours
Today is a day hike from Lester's Camp, exploring alpine meadows and heading up onto a ridgeline to gain great views of the surrounding wilderness. Exact route and timing will depend on group expectations and abilities. The hike will leave the main trail to explore the area and with no set itinerary for the day the options are endless. The walking is rough in places, sometimes uneven and boggy underfoot and there may be sections of scree (loose rock) depending on route choice. The hike is non-technical but may require some hand-balance.
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| Day 5: |
| Mackenzie Valley 5 hours
Decamp and follow the main trail through alpine meadows before the trail rises above the tree line for excellent views of the surrounding rainbow coloured ridgelines and alpine meadows stretching into the distance. Lunch will be at the lovely Crystal Lake. The trail is well trodden and easy to follow. From Crystal Lake the trail leads down through Boyd pass and into the spectacular meadows of Mackenzie Valley and the new riverside camp which will be home for three nights. The last section of trail will need the guide to find a path through the sometimes swampy meadows across the valley to the camp.
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| Day 6: |
| Mount Mackenzie 5-7 hours
A day hike takes you along the Mackenzie Trail up into the alpine and to Mackenzie Pass. The trail leads up through forest along a clear trail into the alpine where there are stunning views of the Coastal Mountains to the south, Rainbow Mountains to the north and east and in all directions vast wilderness. There may be small patches of snow which are possible to avoid. If weather allows there can be a hike across some loose rock and uneven ground to the top of Mount Mackenzie 2,143 metres (7,031 feet). From here follow a spectacular ridge line before descending through forest back to camp.
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| Day 7: |
| Mackenzie Trail 'Moose Hunt'/Rest Day 0-5 hours
A stopover/rest day to explore the valley, track wildlife and hopefully sight a moose or other game. If the group are feeling particularly energetic then a ridge on the east side of the valley can be explored.
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| Day 8: |
| Tweedsmuir Trail 5 hours
This spectacular trail climbs very gradually out of the valley over a mountain pass and into alpine meadows before leading to Octopus Lake. Occasional windfall can mean dealing with an occasional obstacle but otherwise the trail is clear and easy to follow. There are fantastic views of a mountain cirque to the west. The trail leads over a mountain pass which may have some snow and some loose rock. The spectacular alpine meadows will take you down to Octopus Lake horse camp.
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| Day 9: |
| Octopus Trail to Trailhead 6-8 hours
The Octopus Trail has little elevation gain and winds its way through lakes, ponds and meadows. The trail is in fairly good condition although there are two river crossings which are easily negotiated. By late afternoon you will arrive at the trailhead where we will unpack, repack and load the van before continuing into Bella Coola Valley and to the guesthouse for a hot shower. Once settled the group will head out for dinner at a local restaurant.
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| Day 10: |
| Salmon Drift and Estuary Tour
In the morning breakfast is provided at the guesthouse. The group will be taken into the settlement of Bella Coola and toured around the estuary and local waterfalls. The group will then be shuttled an hour up the valley to the Atnarko River for a river drift/snorkel with local biologist guides, for an interpretive look at the salmon spawning area where you may see Grizzlies fishing for salmon.
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| Day 11: |
| Native Indian Rock Carving Tour/Forest Trails
Breakfast is again at the guesthouse. There will be a unique Rock Carvings tour by local native guides to Thorsen Creek. The group will then be shown around the local native art gallery to learn more of the culture and have a chance of buying local carvings. Later in the day will be a tour of some of the forest trails exploring the rich ecosystem of the temperate rainforest.
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| Day 12: |
| Vancouver
It's time to leave the wilds behind. There are a number of options to return to Vancouver: You can ride with us back down to the city, a long drive but scenic nonetheless (10-12 hours). Fly out of Bella Coola on a direct flight back to Vancouver (1 hour). Or take a ferry along the Discovery Coast Passage to Vancouver Island (2 days).
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TRIP
DETAILS
