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Thompson River Valley |
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AREA DATA:
The North Thompson River Valley is found in the
southeast region of the province, stretching
from just north of Kamloops, and following
Highway 5 to Valemount in the north. This region
includes Wells Gray Provincial Park. This
area is about 360 to 675 kilometers east of
Vancouver, and is, under good driving
conditions, about a four to eight hour
drive by car from the Lower Mainland.
The Northern Thompson River Valley
is a sparsely populated area but has spectacular scenery.
The glacier fed North Thompson and
Clearwater Rivers snake their way
through vast cedar, fir, juniper, and
spruce forests. While the southern part of this area
is still recovering from the devastating
forest fires of 2003, the rebirth of the
area around Barriere is almost as
amazing as the areas left untouched. As
you make your way up past Avola, you
enter the majestic Cariboo Mountains,
with alpine lakes and crystal creeks
scattered through mountaintop meadows.
The communities here, with a few
exceptions, tend to be tiny, but all are
friendly, and willing to lend a hand or
offer advice. |
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For the most part, this region is relatively
dry, with long cold winters and short summers
with moderately warm days and cool evenings.
However, the area surrounding Blue River can receive heavy
snowfalls, up to four metres in a season.
Temperatures can range from -30 in the winter
at Valemount in the Cariboo Mountains to 19
degrees in the summers around Clearwater and
Barriere.
The North Thompson River Valley, and Wells Gray
Park in particular, is considered a key wildlife
preservation area. Wells Gray is noted for its black and
grizzly bear population, with black bears
ambling along the roadside in May and June.
Wells Gray also protects the largest remaining
herd of mountain caribou in southern British
Columbia. Other animals found in this area
include wolf, cougar, lynx, bobcat, wolverine,
moose, deer, mountain goat, plus a host of
smaller mammals such as fisher, marten, mink,
weasel, and squirrel. Bird species number over
200 in this area including
osprey, golden eagle, merganser, grouse,
ptarmigan, and the tiny rufous hummingbird
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Access:
Driving:
Access to communities in the North Thompson
River Valley is by paved highway. From the
Lower Mainland, you can access this area by
taking the Number 5 highway from Kamloops.
You can reach this area from Alberta via
Highway 16 through Jasper National Park.
Distance between Vancouver and the
major centres are:
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Barriere: 418 km
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Clearwater: 478 km
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Blue River: 587 km
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Valemount: 676 km
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North Thompson River |
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Air Service:
The nearest major airport is located at Kamloops.
There is an airport for charter flights located
at Valemount, and an airstrip at Blue River.
Rail Service:
With 48 hours advance notice, Via Rail offers
service to Clearwater, Blue River and Valemount.
Major Centres:
The close knit
communities in this region are scattered along the banks of the
North Thompson and snuggled in between lush
forests and majestic mountains. This area relies
mainly on forestry, with about 70% of the
workforce participating in these opportunities.
Other key industries include agriculture, (especially ranching), film
production, and tourism, which is the fastest
growing industry in this region.
Major centers in the area
include:
Barriere:
Situated at the convergence of the Barrier and
North Thompson Rivers, this community of 3450 is
known as the “Gateway to the North Thompson
Valley”. The service hub for the communities
south of Clearwater, Barriere offers the
amenities of a major city with the pace of a
small town.
Recreation:
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Barriere is known as
an excellent fishing destination, with over
75 lakes within a 40 minute drive. Fish the
Barriere Lake chain for bull, rainbow, and
lake trout.
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Just south of Barriere
is Sun Peaks Resort, an excellent four
season resort, with opportunities for
downhill skiing in the winter, and golf and
mountain biking in the summer.
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Chinook Golf Course is
a 9 hole, par 36 professionally designed
course found just north of Barriere.
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The fairly even
terrain surrounding Barriere makes this a
popular getaway for cross country skiers and
snowmobilers during the winter. Try the 17
km of ungroomed trails maintained by the
Barriere Heritage Society.
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Wells Gray Provincial Park |
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Clearwater:
The gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park,
Clearwater provides services to the communities
in the area as well as to the traveling public.
This town of 4960 offers support for
recreational opportunities and is becoming well
known as a world class destination.
Recreation:
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Wells Gray Provincial Park is one of the
largest wilderness reserves in British
Columbia with many different species of
animals and birds to be found here.
Recreational opportunities found here
include fishing, camping,
backcountry expeditions, and water sports.
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Golf lovers will enjoy the
challenging courses at Wells Gray Golf
Course and Lacarya Golf Course.
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Clearwater is famous for its white water
rafting and kayaking opportunities. The
Clearwater River has several sections of
rapids, but most rafters and kayakers head towards the outlet of
Clearwater Lake for thrills and chills.
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In the winter, try the slopes at
the Clearwater Ski Hill, offering T-bar
service and night skiing.
Blue River:
This tiny community of 370 is also known as the
“Jewel of the North Thompson”. With recreational
opportunities year-round, and the amenities of a
city in a village setting, this community
appeals to those seeking a less hectic
lifestyle in the North Thompson River Valley.
Recreation:
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Located along the
North Thompson River, Blue River is a
hotspot for local fishermen. The North Thompson is
known for salmon fishing in the fall, Dolly Varden during the year, as well as trout in
the local lake chains.
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Blue
River is the home to the
world famous Wiegele Resort, and is
internationally renowned for the extreme
skiing opportunities here, with 1000 peaks
and runs over 7000 kilometres of terrain. In
the summer, enjoy
heli-fly-fishing, mountain biking, camping
and climbing.
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Valemount: Nestled
in-between the Rocky, Cariboo and Monashee
Mountains, this village of 1195 is the gateway
to Mount Robson Provincial Park, a World
Heritage Site, and home to Mount Robson, the
largest peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Recreation:
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Fishing offers opportunities for whitefish and trout. Try
fishing in the Canoe or McLellan River in
the spring and early fall.
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There are two nine hole golf courses located
in the Valemount area: Valemount Pine Golf &
Country Club and Melsview Links.
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Mount Robson near Valemount |
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The real attraction to the Valemount area is
the stunning mountain chains surrounding the
village. In the winter, the fresh powder
snow provides unlimited opportunities for
heli-, cat-, and backcountry skiing
excursions, while there are also groomed
runs for cross-country skiing and
snowmobiling. In the summer, these trails
turn into excellent hiking, mountain biking,
and backcountry camping areas.
National and Provincial Parks
While the North Thompson River Valley region
does not have any National Parks within its
borders, Jasper National Park is located just
across the B.C. – Alberta border. We note that a
park pass is required for all visitors to
national parks, and can be purchased at the park
gates.
There are many provincial parks located
throughout the North Thompson River Valley. We
would
like to touch upon two in particular. Wells
Gray Provincial Park is one of the largest
Provincial parks in British Columbia, with
excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking,
camping, and wildlife viewing. Mount
Robson Provincial Park is the second oldest
Provincial Park, and is part of the Canadian
Rocky Mountains World Heritage site, as
designated by UNESCO in 1990. Mount Robson
provides everything from developed,
vehicle-accessible camping to remote valleys
that seldom see a human footprint.
The BC Ministry of Forests also maintain
campsites in this area |
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Welcome to the North Thompson River Valley- a
spectacular wilderness in our beautiful British
Columbia.
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For More Information:
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North
Thompson River Valley
Thompson-Nicola
Regional District
Town of
Barriere
Venture Kamloops (Community Profiles)
Wells Gray
Country |
Wells Gray
Provincial Park
Village
of Valemount
BC
Parks
Ministry of Forests Campground Locator |
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