Chilcotin Highway (BC Highway 20)

//////////////////////////////////////////// Chilcotin Highway (BC Highway 20)

Chilcotin Highway Williams Lake, BC, to Bella Coola, BC

Key to mileage boxes T ACCESS ROUTE miles/kilometres Tsitsuti Peak miles/kilometres from: Tweedsmuir J-Junction with Bella Provincial Park Coola Map Location Highway 97 at Heckman Pass Williams Lake River (Elev. 5,000 ft.) J-195/314km North Bentinck Arm Firvale 20 Bella Hagensborg Anahim Lake Coola J-184/297km J-279/450km BC Ferries Nimpo Lake To Prince George South Nimpo Lake Bentinck Arm J-108/173km 97 Puntzi Lake Alexis Lake Chilanko Forks Redstone J-0 N 50˚13’ Chilcotin Highway WE S One-Eye Lake Tatla Lake W121˚34’ Kleena Kleene Chilcotin R. Alexis Creek Williams Lake Tatla Lake Meldrum Creek Principal Route Key to Advertiser J-156/251km Eagle Lake Services Lee’s Corner 20 Horn J-59/90km Paved Unpaved C -Camping D -Dump Station Sapeye Lake Lake Other Roads d -Diesel Hanceville Riske Creek Paved Unpaved G -Gas (reg., unld.) I -Ice Ferry Routes Hiking Trails L -Lodging Fletcher Lake 97 M-Meals Tatlayoko Lake Big Creek Refer to Log for Visitor Facilities P -Propane R -Car Repair (major) Scale -Car Repair(minor) River Fraser r eek To Cache Creek 0 10 Miles S -Store (grocery) 0 10 Kilometres T -Telephone (pay) Chilko Lake Taseko Lakes Big Cr

The scenic Chilcotin Highway (BC High- J 21.5 (34.7 km) Canadian Coast Guard 6 Indian reserves in the Chilcotin. Speed limit way 20) leads 279.3 miles/449.5 km west Service Loran-C tower; phone 250-659-5611 45 mph/70 kmph through reserve. from Williams Lake to Bella Coola. Called for tour information. A “Freedom Road” by residents, the highway J 27.5 (44.4 km) Gravel road loops south J 69.5 (112 km) Turnout to north with was bulldozed across the mountains in the and rejoins Highway 20 at Lee’s Corner information sign. 1950s by local volunteers tired of waiting (50-mile/80-km drive). Follow this wind- J 69.8 (112.3 km) ALEXIS CREEK (pop. for the government to build a road. ing side road south 10 miles/16 km to Far- 140); vehicle repair, groceries, ATM, post Once a test of endurance, much of today’s well Canyon bridge on the Chilcotin River. office, cafe, RV sites, hotel, stores, RCMP road is paved and in good condition. There J 28.7 (46.3 km) Riske Creek. outpost, medical centre. is still “The Hill,” a narrow, 11.2-mile/18-km, J 29.4 (47.3 km) Stack Valley Road to w gravel switchback descent from the top of Historic Chilcotin Lodge, now a bed and J 72.8 (117.3 km) Steep downgrade west- Heckman Pass (elev. 5,000 feet/ 1,524m) into breakfast. Camping. bound. View of Chilcotin River and volcanic the Bella Coola Valley with 12 to 18 percent w cliffs of Battle Mountain. grades. Vehicles towing fifth wheelers or J 30.4 (48.9 km) Forest Service recreation J 74.8 (120.5 km) Bull Canyon Provincial travel trailers test your brakes before attempt- area; at Becher Dam; fishing for small rain- Recreation Area; picnic tables, outhouses, 20 ing The Hill. bow, picnic tables. campsites in aspen forest beside Chilcotin Distance from junction (J) with Highway t River. Beautiful spot. Kayaking, rafting and 97 at Williams Lake is shown. J 35.6 (57.4 km) Riske Creek rodeo fishing are popular. Camping fee charged. grounds. Stampede held in mid-June. Open June 16–Sept. 14. J 0 Junction with Highway 97 at Wil- J 42.2 (68 km) Gravel road north to tw liams Lake (see Milepost CC 126.2). Forest Service recreation area on Raven and J 90.2 (145.2 km) Chilcotin River bridge; J 1.5 (2.5 km) Road south to Alkali Lake, Palmer lakes; fishing; boat launch. Westbound, the Chilanko River is to the and Dog Creek. Road closure sign warns if t south of the highway. Heckman Pass is closed. Westbound, High- J 50.9 (81.9 km) Hanceville Recreation J 103.3 (166.3 km) Native community of way 20 climbs to plateau, then drops down a Area to south; rest area with toilet, litter Redstone; general store, gas and diesel. Indi- 5 percent grade to the Fraser River. barrel and historic marker about Norman ans west of the Fraser are Carrier and Chil- J 15 (24 km) Viewpoint at east end of Lee and ill-fated Yukon cattle drive of 1898. cotin tribes, members of the northern Dene Sheep Creek bridge over Fraser River. Begin 9 percent downgrade westbound. nation. Begin 6 percent grade westbound. J 56 (90.1 km) Lee’s Corner, on site of A J 17.4 (28 km) Small turnout with map of Norman Lee’s ranch house. Hanceville post J 105 (169 km) Stunning views west- Chilcotin wildlife viewing areas and infor- office, gas, diesel, propane, groceries and bound of snowcapped Coast Mountains. mation on the Chilcotin grasslands. food in old-fashioned general store. J 107.6 (173.3 km) Chilanko Forks. J 20.3 (32.7 km) Turnout with toilets and A Road north to Puntzi Lake (4.5 miles/7 km); litter barrels. Begin steep downgrade east- Turnoff south for old settlement of resorts, campgrounds, fishing. Birds at Puntzi bound; watch for logging trucks. Hanceville, named for Tom Hance, the Lake include pelicans and loons. To the west is the great Fraser Plateau, original settler and author of Klondike Cattle tw with the snowcapped peaks of the Coast Drive. Gravel road continues south across J 109 (175.5 km) Puntzi airport road Range visible on the horizon. The country Chilcotin River (a favorite with river rafters) leads to Chilanko Marsh Wildlife Area. west of the Fraser is known as the Chilco- to Fletcher Lake Forest Service Recreation J 113.4 (182.5 km) Gravel road south to tin, taking its name from the river that cuts Area; canoeing and fishing. Road loops back Pyper Lake Recreation Area; picnic tables through the plateau. The country is chiefly to the highway at Milepost J 27.5. and fishing. range land for cattle, though forestry is also J 62.5 (100.6 km) Store, gas and diesel at t important. Anaham Village (TL’etinqox), the largest of J 115.7 (186.3 km) Gravel turnout with www.themilepost.com 2012 The MILEPOST® 107