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of BC>>Village of Cache Creek |
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The Cache Creek Area |
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Overview:
Cache Creek is located in the Thompson Okanagan
region of British Columbia, about a two hour
drive from the Lower Mainland. This village has
been a historical natural overnight stopping
place for many travellers heading into the
Interior of the province, and is part of the
historical “Gold Rush Trail.
The climate here is warm in the summer, cold and
snowy in the winter. Temperatures can ranges
from -6 degrees Celsius to 14.5 degrees Celsius.
Average rainfall is about 231mm, with the
average snowfall 155 cm. This area is classified
as semi-arid, so the lack of precipitation over
the year makes this a very attractive place for
those looking for recreational opportunities as
well as retirees from across Canada. |
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This area is becoming known as the
"Arizona of Canada" |
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Population:
1056 (2001 census) |
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Access:
Access to this area is by
paved highway. There are two major routes to
this area: the Trans-Canada Highway, touring the
winding roads along the scenic Fraser Canyon, or
the Coquihalla toll road through Merritt, giving
quick and direct access from the Lower Mainland.
The distance from Vancouver to Cache Creek
(using the Trans-Canada route) is 345 kilometres.
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Greyhound Bus Services offers
service to Cache Creek. |
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Major Industries:Tourism,
Transportation, Ranching, Forestry, Mining.
History:
Like many communities on the Gold Rush
Trail, Cache Creek was founded by
prospectors and settlers traveling the
Fraser Canyon to access the gold mines of
the Cariboo region. Cache Creek was the
halfway point for weary prospectors to stop
for the evening, and perhaps “cache” or
store some of their belongings before
traveling further. Of course, another legend
about the origin of the name “Cache Creek”
tells a story about bandits who robbed the
CPR wagons, and were chased to the area by
the Northwest Mounted Police (the
forerunners of the RCMP). Mortally wounded,
the bandits hid their cache somewhere in the
area before dying. According to the legend,
the stolen gold was never recovered, and is
hidden in the area to this day. |
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Greyhound Bus Service |
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After the Gold Rush, the location of Cache Creek
still made it an important stop for travelers
heading into the Interior of British Columbia,
providing goods and services to the area,
including government and schooling for the
settler’s children. However, once Ashcroft was
chosen for the head of the Cariboo line for the
new railway, Cache Creek declined in importance,
until the automobile era of the early 20th
century revitalized the town with its key
position into the Interior. |
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Community Festivals:
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Mother’s Day Fly-In- Second Sunday in May.
The Cache Creek airstrip hosts an invitational
fly in for light aircraft on Mothers Day
every year. After a pancake breakfast, enjoy
examining the aircraft flown in, with
demonstrations by local water bombers, and,
in previous years, some military aircraft
have flown in for a visit.
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Graffiti Days and Old-Time Drags- Early
June.
Each year the
Village of Cache Creek hosts the "Graffiti
Days" celebration which is held in
conjunction with the BC Oldtime Drags and
Rod Run at the Eagle Motorplex in Ashcroft.
In addition to the many locally owned
machines, participants flock from all over
BC and the United States. The celebrations
include a parade of beautifully restored
vehicles and a Show and Shine which give the
owners an opportunity to "show off" their
treasures. To make the weekend complete, a
barbeque and dance is offered on the
Saturday evening. For a blast to the past,
this is the place to be!
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Historic Hat Creek Ranch |
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Wild West Show and Trapper
Rendezvous- Last weekend in July.
Nearby Hat Creek Ranch hosts this
popular daytime event,
with demonstrations, historical performances,
other events highlighting the
history of this area.
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Apple Harvest Festival- September-
This local favorite has been revived
this year! Nearby Hat Creek Ranch
invites you to come out, tour the
historical site and pick your own
apples from their 100 year-old apple
orchard located behind their
roadhouse.
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Recreation:
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Semlin Valley Golf Course, one km east of
Cache Creek on the Trans Canada
Highway, is a 9 hole, par 35 golf
course open to the public.
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Take a look in the Cariboo Jade
Shop, which holds free jade-cutting
demonstrations and displays an
incredible piece of Jade sliced from
a rock near Dease Lake in Northern
BC. The stone is 1 foot thick and
weighs 1,300 kilograms (2850
pounds).
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The Nl'Akapxm Eagle Motorplex.
located 11 km south of Cache Creek
hosts major national racing events
throughout the summer months.
Nearby Attractions:
Fishing in this area is excellent. Deadman
Vidette Road, north of Highway #1, 31 km east of
Cache Creek, leads to a chain of lakes including
Mowich, Snohoosh, Skookum, Deadman and Vidette
Lakes, with fishing for kokanee and rainbow
trout. |
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The
section of the Thompson River between
Kamloops and Cache Creek is considered by
most kayakers as a good warm up for the more
challenging rapids around Lytton. Launch
facilities to nearby Kamloops Lake are
located in Savona, close to Cache Creek
Step back in time at historic Hat
Creek Ranch. This heritage property offers
you the chance to step back in time to
experience B.C Gold Rush era and First
Nations history among 20 original historic
buildings, and Shuswap Native Village. Hat
Creek Ranch is currently in the process of
restoring 3 more building for upcoming
years. This location also offers camping and
RV sites, cabins, some with private
bathrooms, for overnight stays, stagecoach
rides, horseback riding, and opportunities
for gold panning, black powder shooting, and
archery. |
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Fishing Near Cache Creek |
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Catch Gold Fever! Try your luck at panning for
gold in the area. If you are only using a pan
and a shovel, you don’t need a license to pan
for gold. While you won’t strike it rich, you
may be able find a few flecks of gold that the
old prospectors left behind. If you’re not fussy
about what type of rocks you find, this area is
famous for B.C.’s provincial stone, Jade. The
Jade Reserve of 1968 set aside several sand bars
in the area when the public can go hunting
without a license. Also found in this area are
opals and other semi-precious stones. And just
east of Cache Creek is the McAbee Fossil beds, a
50.2 million year old lake sediment containing a
variety of fossils. |
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For More Information:
- The
Village of Cache Creek
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Gold Country Community Society
-
Historic
Hat Creek Ranch
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