1 SIMPCW “People of the North Thompson River” The Simpcw are a Culturally Proud Community Valuing Healthy, Holistic Lifestyles based upon Respect, Responsibility and Continuous Participation in Growth and Education Since time immemorial the Simpcw occupied the lands of the North Thompson River upstream from McLure to the headwaters of the Fraser River from McBride to Tete Jeune Cache, east to Jasper and south to the headwaters of the Athabasca River. The Simpcw are a division of the Secwepemc, or Shuswap. The Simpcw speak the Secwepemc dialect, a SalishanSalis language, shared among many of the First Nations in the FraserFr and Thompson River drainage. The Simpcw traveled throughoutthrou the spring, summer and fall, gathering food and materialsmate which sustained them through the winter. During the winterwin months they assembled at village sites, in the valleys close to rivers, occupying semi-underground houses. Archaeological studiesst have identifi ed winter home sites and underground foodfo cache sites at a variety of locations including Finn Creek, Vavenby,V Birch Island, Chu Chua, Barriere River, Louis Creek, Tete Jeune, Raush River, Jasper National Park and Robson Park. Simpcw peoplepe value their positive relationships with non-native people in thethe NorthNorth ThompsonThomp and Robson Valleys. They also recognize that their key strength lies in maintaining links to their traditional heritage and look forward to securing a place for their children in contemporary society that they can embrace with pride. The Simpcw culture is community driven for the management, conservation and protection of all the Creator’s resources. Box 220, Barriere, B.C. V0E 1E0 Ph#250-672-9995 Fax#250-672-5858 Band offi ce location: 15km north of Barriere on Dunn Lake Road Offi ce hours: 8am to 4pm Email: [email protected] Traditional Territory of Simpcw 2 WELCOME The North Thompson Valley was once the busy highway of the First Nations people and, later, the fur traders, gold prospectors, ranchers and settlers. The stunning scenery and surroundings beckon travellers to explore the area using a range of transportation from horseback and helicopters, to ATVs, snowmobiles and white water rafts. 4 Rivers & the Peaks 6 Map: Rivers & the Peaks 8 Sun Peaks 10 Barriere & District 12 Map: Barriere & District 14 Wells Gray / Clearwater 16 Blue River & Avola NORTHNORTH THTHOMPSONOMPSON VALLEVALLEYY 17 Wiegele 18 Map: Wells Gray / Clearwater / Blue River / Avola 20 Valemount 22 Map: Valemount 24 Aboriginal Culture © 26 Camping 28 Golf 30 Fishing 31 Water Adventure 32 Hiking / Biking 33 Horseback Riding 34 Winter Adventure 35 Culture & Heritage 36 Accommodation Matrix SUPER, NATURAL BRITISH COLUMBIA and VISITOR CENTRE and all associated logos are registered trademarks of Tourism British Columbia. Produced by Fresh Inc. for North Thompson Valley Tourism©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from North Thompson Valley Tourism©. North Thompson Valley Tourism© is not in any way responsible for errors or omissions printed in this magazine and retains the right to edit copy. All content is subject to change without notice. Contributing photographers: Front Cover - Alan Fortune. Alan Fortune, Kertis Broza, Matt Jennings, John Schwirtlich, Adam Stein, Matt Crossman and Mike McPhee. SUPPORTERS NORTH THOMPSON VALLEY TOUR GUIDE 3 Rivers & Peaks RIVERS & THE PEAKS Gateway to the North Thompson Valley Dubbed “Rivers & The Peaks - To the immediate north of the centre lies Sun Gateway to the North Thompson Valley,” Rivers, a new and very prestigious housing and golf the area North and East of Kamloops forms a golden development, awarded North America’s Best New triangle of vacation and recreational opportunities Course (2003). As you pass by, be sure to keep an eye second to none. out for the local herd of big horn sheep, often grazing just yards from the side of the highway. As you travel west on the Trans-Canada Highway, following the meandering South Thompson River, The Husky Travel Centre marks the turn-off to Paul you view the Robert Trent Jones Senior-designed and Pinantan Lakes. The excellent Provincial Rivershore Golf Links, nestled between the sage Campground and the two scenic communities make a covered hills and the river. A few hundred yards to side trip worth considering. As you continue north on the immediate west of Rivershore is the beautiful Highway 5, you will fi nd the village of Heffl ey Creek. South Thompson Inn And Guest Ranch, an oasis Here, this is your exit to the fabulous Sun Peaks of “Kentucky Style” hospitality. Leaving the Resort. This top-ten resort features entertainment, Trans-Canada Highway, heading north on the #5 accommodation and dining facilities rivaling the very Yellowhead Highway you are rounding the south fi nest of any North American resort. west corner of this remarkable tourism triangle. As you journey north along the Yellowhead First, you will discover the Tk’emlups Indian Band’s Highway, you’ll catch scenic glimpses of the North Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park, home of the Thompson River, and just maybe, the colourful Rocky annual August long weekend Kamloopa Pow Wow, Mountaineer passenger train. You are now entering one of North America’s premier tourist events. the awe-inspiring North Thompson River Valley! 4 NORTH THOMPSON VALLEY TOUR GUIDE TOD MOUNTAIN RANCH LOTS TO SEE & DO The horseback riding • Feel the beat of the drums at vacation of a lifetime! the Kamloopa Pow Wow. • Pitch your tent at a Provincial campground. • Tee up for a round on a championship golf course and 250.573.3534 enjoy the views. Toll Free: 1.866.882.8826 www.pinantanlake.bc.ca • Fly to a remote lake and cast a line [email protected] for the mighty Kamloops trout. • Jump in a raft and paddle some 2488 Harper Ranch Road serious white water. Pinantan Lake, BC V0E 3E1 20 Minutes North of Kamloops • Armour up and ride Sun Peaks, one of the fi ve best mountain bike parks in North America. • Hike to an alpine meadow and stop to smell the wildfl owers. • Discover the backcountry wilderness on horseback. • Visit a museum and learn about First Nations, fur traders and early settlers. • Make fi rst tracks in deep, dry powder Call Toll Free 1-877-488-8881 on skis, snowboard, snowshoes Or 1-250-578-8881 www.todmountainranch.com or snowmobile. www.norththompson.ca 250.672.9221 NORTH THOMPSON VALLEY TOUR GUIDE 5 RIVERS & THE PEAKS MAP WWW.NORTHTHOMPSON.CA to Wells Gray Provincial Park (60km) Camping Canoe Downhill Skiing Chinook Cove Golf to Jasper (377km) to Edmonton (742km) Boat Launch Kayaking Cross Country Skiing BARRIERE Brennan Creek Big Boat Day Park Vehicle Accessible 1 Campground Johnson Road 40 Fishing Golf Hiking Lake Provincial Louis Creek Swimming Information Campground Westsyde Rd Adams Lake Provincial Marine Park Recreation Agate Bay Rd Water Skiing Biking Site North Adams Lake Rd Scuba Diving Flush Toilets Museum Agate Bay Trail Rides Fuel Adams Lake Martin Meadows Lake Resorts McLure Ferry Badger Lake McLure Simpcwetkwe Adams Lake Rd 1. Johnson Lake Resort River & Adventure co. 2. Indian Point Resort Orchard Lake Lake Little Knouff Lake Wilson Rd Finlay Rd Heffley-Louis Creek Rd 3. South Thompson Inn Adams Lake Provincial Park Adams Lake Ferry 4. Pinantan Lake Resort 9 Knouff (Sullivan) Lake Huff Lake 5. Sun Peaks Resort 8 Holding Rd 2 6. Jandana Ranch (Summer Only) Cahilty Creek FSR Whispering Pines Squilax-Anglemont Rd 7. Hitch "N" Rail Resort Rodeo 8. Pinegrove Campground Big Shuswap Lake Vinsula-Knouff Lake Rd 10 Talking Rock & RV Park 5 Bonashee Lake Golf Course Skmana Lake 11 9. Knouff Lake Resort Lyons Lake to Banff (429km) Morrisey Lake Lake Rd to Calgary (554km) Todd Mountain Rd. Aylmer Lake Little Shuswap 10. Tod Mountain Ranch Sun Peaks Rd McGillivray Lake 7 Whitecroft Little Shuswap Lake 11. Quaaout Lodge and HeffleyHeffley CreekCreek Conference Centre Silentpool Lake Dennis Lake 1 (Summer Only) CHASE North Thompson River Heffley Lake Loakin Bear Creek Rd McGillivray Lake FSR Rd Highways and Main Roads Niskonlith Lake Back Roads (Gravel) Trails Pinantan-Pritchard Rd Westsyde Rd Paul Lake 6 Warren Rd Harper Mtn. Rd Rd Lake Hyas Paul Lake Rd N 5 Harper Mtn. Pinantan Lake Kamloops-Shuswap Rd to Kamloops 4 Airport WE Sun Rivers Golf McNulty Rd Shuswap Rd 3 Rivershore Golf Club 1 S KAMLOOPS South Thompson River Lafarge Way Lafarge to Vancouver (351km) Way Lafarge 97 to Kelowna (211km) Tk’emlups (Kamloops) to Vernon (80km) Indian Band Admin, Pow Wow Grounds & Carwash to Kelowna (135km) 6 NORTH THOMPSON VALLEY TOUR GUIDE Camping Close encounters with nature are a family affair in the Rivers & the 0 0 0 0 Peaks region. Set up camp in a 0 0 0 0 Provincial Park or venture deeper into the wilderness to a forestry arper Mountain family owned and operated since 1973 recreation site. sunpeaksresort.com/ summer/bikepark Adam Stein Accommodations Expect a warm welcome. Book into a family motel or cozy B&B, fi nd budget rooms and luxury EAGLE ISLAND RESORT mountaintop suites or experience LAC DES ROCHES • BRITISH COLUMBIA• CANADA warm southern charm with a view of the South Thompson. Mix absolutely breathtaking scenery with incomparable lake front on one of Supernatural British Columbia’s ppremier Summer Fun À shingg lakes! Summer fun centres around idyllic lakes. Pack a picnic and • comfy cabins • roomy campsites spend a day at the beach. Our • washrooms with hot showers clear, calm waters are perfect • trophy À shing • hiking for swimming, canoeing and • great access and family fun! kayaking. Cast a line and try to lure a variety of fi sh. Toll Free Reservations: 1-888-201-0032 eagleislandresort.ca NORTH THOMPSON VALLEY TOUR GUIDE 7 Rivers & Peaks Adam Stein Bob Huxtable Adam Stein Adam Stein SUN PEAKS Your Mountain to Discover … in Every Season An expansive, yet intimate world class and kayaking.