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| Come along with us - we'll tell you about the
sights and attractions, the little-known facts and history of
our region... |
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We'll start at the gas station at the junction
of Highway 37 (to Kitwanga) and Highway 16. Please set your
odometer to 0  |
| Highway 37 heads north to the Alaska highway near
Watson Lake. it's the ideal scenic route for the Alaska Loop
that includes the Alaska Highway. Highway 37 winds through the
Coastal Mountains and some of the most pristine wilderness in
the world. |
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KM 1.5
MILE .9
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Kitseguecla Mountain |
| You can see the peaks near Hazelton straight ahead.
The mountain to the south (right) is Kitseguecla Mountain. The
large patterns on the slopes are logging cut blocks. These are
larger than most cut blocks in our region. The new re-planted
trees show as a different colour according to their age. |
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KM 6
MILE 3.7
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Andimaul Mountain |
| We are following the Skeena River and across the
river is Andimaul Mountain. There was a fire lookout tower there
in years past but most manned fire watch towers are replaced
by sensors mounted on poles that scan the forest and detect
fires automatically and relay the information through a computer
network. |
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KM 8
MILE 5
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Distant peak |
| In the distance, you can catch glimpses of the
Hazelton Mountain Range. We will drive around those peaks and
see them from the opposite side on the way to Smithers.. |
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Cut blocks on slopes on south (right) side of
the highway |
| Pine, Spruce, Balsam Fir and Hemlock are the main
tree species logged in this area. A unique species, Western
Red Cedar, is prized for decay-resistant lumber and shingles.
The eastern limit of Cedar, a coastal species, is on the east
side of the Hazelton Mountains. |
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Skeena River |
| Before the railroad was built in 1911, flat-bottom
river sternwheelers brought supplies and people from Prince
Rupert as far as Hazelton. The current at some of the rapids
on the Skeena River was so strong that the crews had to winch
the boat up the river. A man would jump ashore and hook a line
to a permanent ring embedded in rock. A larger line was pulled
out and the steam-powered deck winch pulled the boat through
the current. Cords of wood where loaded aboard at shore stations
to fire the boilers on board. |
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KM 17.3
MILE 10.75
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Kitseguecla Village and Reserve |
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KM 20.9
MILE 13
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Layers of rock |
| Our local mountains are like layer cakes. The
bottom layer is Pacific Ocean sea floor pushed up against the
North American Plate. Next are layers of volcanic ash and freshwater
lake deposits. The top layer in the valley bottoms is a deep
layer of sand and gravel from centuries of glaciers that scrapped
and pushed rock for miles. You can see the layers of rock formed
at the bottom of an ancient inland lake on the cliffs to the
south (right). |
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KM 22.6
MILE 14
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Hazelton Mountains ahead |
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Carnaby sawmill |
| This sawmill is the largest in the Hazelton area.
The mill has been shut down often for years. The economy of
the Hazeltons depends on this mill for many jobs for local residents. |
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KM 30.9
MILE 19.2
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Tramway to the south |
| In 1912, the longest gravity-powered single-cable
tram system in the world was built to haul ore from a mine on
the ridge to the south (right) down to a loading dock on the
river, a distance of about 7 km (4.3 miles). You can see the
straight-line trail down the slope where pylons stood to support
the cable system from the ridge. |
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KM 33.7
MILE 21
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Roche de Boule Mountain, Seeley
Lake Provincial Park |
| As you near the Hazeltons, Roche de Boule peak
will form a dramatic backdrop for the towns. The peak is very
impressive but there are many unseen peaks behind it that are
taller. |
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Thomlinson Mountain |
| If you look to the north, you will catch a glimpse
of Thomlinson Mountain, along the Skeena River. At the Hazeltons,
we will drive away from the Skeena River and follow a tributary,
the Bulkley River, to the south. |
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New Hazelton, at the turnoff to Old Hazelton
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| Turn north on the Old Hazelton Road to visit Ksan,
a re-created native village of long houses and totem poles.
For more information about Hazelton,
- Supplies and Services are here |
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KM 47.6
MILE 29.6
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Seaton Mountain Range ahead |
| We are now following the Bulkley River, a tributary
of the Skeena. on the opposite (east) side of the river is the
Seaton Mountain Range. Highest point is at 2036 metres. |
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KM 59.8
MILE 37.2
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Rock cut |
| The Bulkley River is an important waterway for
spawning salmon and steelhead. Before Europeans arrived, there
were numerous native villages on rivers and lakes of northern
BC and a native population that is estimated at a minimum of
25,000. Early European explorers depended on the natives for
food and guiding. |
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Distant peak ahead |
| You can catch glimpses of Hudson Bay Mountain
at Smithers, the far peak ahead. |
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KM 80.5
MILE 50
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Moricetown Falls |
| Be sure to stop in the months of July to September
to watch the native fishers gaff or net salmon. The entire flow
of the Bulkley River narrows to fit the Moricetown Falls. The
concrete tubes to either side of the river are fish ladders
to help the spawning fish around the strong current mid-channel.
If you sit and watch, you will see salmon jump high to get over
the Falls. If you stand on the road bridge and look into the
water, you will see many fish waiting and resting before trying
to swim and jump through the Falls on their way to spawning
beds on waterways upstream. |
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KM 87.9
MILE 54.6
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Kitseguecla Valley turnoff |
| Note that this is the same name as the Kitseguecla
village we passed earlier. We are at the eastern end of the
same valley although the roads do not yet connect. |
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KM 92.8
MILE 57.6
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Babine Mountains |
| In the distance to the east (left), you can see
the Babine Mountain Recreational Area. There are numerous alpine
trails and pristine meadows to explore. |
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Northern glacier |
| As we get closer to Hudson Bay Mountain to the
west, you can see the first of two remnant glaciers high in
the large alpine valley. |
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KM 100
MILE 62.1
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Toboggan Lake, with geese |
| In the Summer, there are several pairs of Canada
Goose who nest within sight of the Highway along the shore of
the lake. You will see the young feeding or swimming on this
most picturesque lake. |
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Southern glacier |
| Now you can see the main glacier on Hudson Bay
Mountain. There are exploratory mining tunnels under part of
the glacier from a venture years ago to mine molybdenum. No
mine was built. You can hike to the glacier on the Glacier
Gulch Trail. There are mountain goats on the slopes you
see and if you use a spotting scope during early or late daylight
hours, you may see groups of goats feeding. |
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Rest stop |
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KM 104.8
MILE 65.1
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Glacier Gulch turnoff |
| It's a short drive from the highway to Glacier
Gulch and Twin Falls, one of the
most spectacular sights within easy drive of town. Follow the
signs. The gravel road is not recommended for large motorhomes
pulling vehicles or boats. |
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KM 106.8
MILE 66.4
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Lake Kathlyn |
| The lake is the perfect spot for photographing
Hudson Bay Mountain. You can pull into the Airport parking lot
to stop away from highway traffic. |
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KM 108.2
MILE 67.3
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Ski Area to the west |
| As you enter the Town of Smithers, you can see
the ski runs cut on the south end of Hudson Bay Mountain. It's
a 24 km drive on gravel road to the ski area parking lot. From
there, you can hike up the ski runs to the alpine area and a
view of the town and valley. The trails to Crater
Lake and the South Peak start
from the ski area. Follow the ski hill signs at the south end
of Smithers. |
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KM 110
MILE 68.4
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You should be in Smithers. |
| More information about Smithers
- Supplies and Services are here
- Accommodations are here |
 Smithers
to Houston - 63 km, 39 miles or 39 minutes
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| Local BCNorth Group members who provide automotive
parts and service include: |
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Kitwanga
to Smithers - 110 km, 68 miles or
68 minutes
