3-Day Outdoor Adventure Tour in Wells Gray Provincial Park

Summary
Itinerary
What's Included
Accommodations

3-Day Outdoor Adventure Tour in Wells Gray Provincial Park

It's known as the "waterfall park" and your experiences here will be in a region of the province that's famous for outdoor adventure, clean air, blue skies and plenty of wildlife!

This magical spot is called Wells Gray Park and at 540,000 hectares or close to 1.9 million acres of land, is known as one of the finest wilderness parks in North America. It is here where you'll be immersed in the staggering beauty of a land virtually untouched. Raging rivers, craggy peaks, ice fields, lava fields, isolated lakes and over 40 waterfalls make this a trip you won't want to miss. Wells Gray also features spectacular Helmcken Falls and at 142 metres, is the fourth highest in Canada.

Day 1

  • You start your day with an early departure from Vancouver on Highway #1. Your journey will see you pass through the fertile fields of the Fraser River valley delta and further inland to a lunch stop at Hell’s Gate Airtram (www.hellsgateairtram.com).
  • Some say Hell’s Gate is the most spectacular attraction in the region. At this juncture of the mighty Fraser River, 1,100 miles of flowing water is squeezed into a 40 metre wide thundering gorge, appropriately named for its ferocity. 200 million gallons a minute of heart stopping rapids thunder through the narrows and is why Hell’s Gate was mentioned in explorer Simon Fraser’s journal as being his biggest challenge. 
  • As you make your way further up the Fraser River canyon, you will begin to notice a change in the land as the temperate forest makes way for a climate much drier and hotter. The town of Lytton, located at the confluence of the Fraser and South Thompson Rivers regularly claims many days in the summer as Canada’s hot spot. It is not uncommon for the temperature to be well over 40 degrees Celsius (over 100 Fahrenheit!)
  • As you proceed north, you will come to the town of Cache Creek. During the famous gold rush of the mid 1800’s, thousands of prospectors travelled the Fraser Canyon en route to the newly discovered Cariboo Gold Fields. During their exhausting journey, they often sought refuge near a small creek at the halfway point where they could store or “cache” some of their belongings and rest overnight. Beside a welcome stop from the searing heat of the Fraser Canyon, Cache Creek is also centre to many fishing resorts and dude guest ranches. It is also well known for its “National Hot Rod Association” race car track which hosts a variety of races for competitors from as far away as the USA and eastern Canada.
  • If the first weekend of September is the time that brings you through the Thompson Valley, then we suggest visiting the North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo (www.fallfair-rodeo.com).  For more than half a century the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo turns tiny, friendly Barriere into a cross between an old-fashioned homecoming and the sort of country fair most folks last saw in a Walt Disney movie. There’s a midway and an open-air stage where the music and excitement continue for three days. This is true Canadiana and well worth the stop!
  • After passing through Kamloops, the fourth largest city in BC and in to the north Thompson Valley, you arrive to the seclusion and serenity of Alpine Meadows Resort (www.alpinemeadowsresort.com). Here you’ll enjoy a pristine wilderness retreat for the next three days. 
  • Settle in and kick off your shoes and relax with some western hospitality. After a beautiful lakeside dinner, you can venture out for a twilight back country hike or you may want to try your luck angling on trout-filled Hallemore Lake (the silent, electric powered boats don’t scare the fish) or simply relax after a long day with friends. Tonight will be the first night in a long time where the only sound you will hear is the call of a coyote echoing across the valley.
  • Other suggested accommodation includes: 
 

Day 2

  • After a big alpine breakfast, your day begins with a trip into Wells Gray Park and a canoeing adventure on Clearwater Lake with Clearwater Lake Tours (www.clearwaterlaketours.com).  You are more likely to see wildlife drinking along the shores of Clearwater Lake than in the surrounding forest. Caribou and Elk are known to swim the lake to reach the other side. Many Black Bears and Moose forage around the lake so keep your camera close by because a photo op may happen when you least expect it. If you’re looking for an adventure further into the park, Clearwater Lake Tours offers a combination jet boat and paddle day trip that transports you to adjoining Clearwater and Azure Lakes for lunch and an afternoon of fishing and exploring around Rainbow Falls. You can use their equipment or your own to spend several days camping and paddling back the route back.
  • As an option to the day, you may find more land based touring more to your liking. Kanata Wilderness Adventure Tours (www.kanatabc.com) will escort you to many locations and serve you a decadent picnic in a pristine location! The food today will seem to taste better than anything else in recent memory. This is your first opportunity to sit back and soak up the warm sunshine and breathe deeply the mountain fresh air!
  • Your journey will lead you on hikes to several of the famous landmarks within the park such as Dragon’s Tooth, Dawson Falls, Helmcken Falls and Spahats Falls. There are also lava beds, mineral springs, extinct volcanoes, alpine flower meadows and glaciers to see.
  • Dinner back at Alpine Meadows Resort tonight will be slow with lots of tasty dishes to savour. Afterwards, it’s time for a nightcap, a few pages of your novel and some solitude next to the crackling fire.

Day 3

  • Good sleep, fresh air and a clear mind make for a big appetite at breakfast. It’s onward to Helmcken Falls Lodge for a horseback adventure. Constructed with only hand tools in 1948, the lodge has seen many changes since then but foremost still retains its charm and rustic elegance. Climb into the saddle and be friends with your horse as it’s now time for a three hour guided trip to Hemp Canyon and the historic Bee Farm. You will learn of the original settlers and hardships endured and witness some of the remarkable biodiversity of the region. Vistas and scenic lookouts will provide amazing pictures as memories of your trail ride.
  • It is high noon and this means it’s time to travel down the road for lunch in the town of Clearwater. Don’t get too comfortable as you’ll be heading out soon on a wild and wet river rafting adventure. Don’t worry by the description because you’ll have a helmet, the best flotation and years of experience from Interior Whitewater Expeditions. This 3 hour rafting trip will entertain you with classic rapids of the Lower Canyon of the Clearwater River. Highlights on this river safari include the Mosh Pit, the Wall, M-87, Tsunami and Pink Mountain to name just a few. Your guides will also take you to secluded Candle Creek Falls for a rafter’s shower and a laugh!
  • After floating to home base in Clearwater, you will disembark from your raft and travel back to Alpine Meadows Resort. You’ve worked up an appetite for a hearty meal after a busy day. It’s time to celebrate and reminisce about the day’s adventures under a canopy of stars during your last night in the Thompson Okanagan.

Day 4

  • The last day of your Thompson Okanagan trip begins early to make your way homeward. The journey home could see you retrace your steps down the mighty Fraser River on Highway #1 or take the faster route to Vancouver on Highway #5 - the Coquihalla Connector. As an option, there are daily flights from Kamloops Airport to Vancouver or Calgary International Airports.

For a complete list of TOTA Travel Trade accommodation partners, go to: www.totabc.com/travel_trade

For Bed & Breakfast accommodation listings, go to:  www.bcsbestbnbs.com

For additional city, town or region information on the way, go to:
Cache Creek: www.cachecreekvillage.com 
Ashcroft: www.village.ashcroft.bc.ca
Kamloops:  www.tourismkamloops.com 
Barriere: www.barrierebc.com    
Clearwater:  www.wellsgraycountry.ca