Road to Bella Coola, Canada
- Words and Photos by Yrene Dee, a Lumby (British Columbia, Canada), based writer and adventurer.
By Yrene Dee: Venturing to Bella Coola, the little town at the end of the road, is a journey like no other. The unique town can be reached by sea on a British Columbia (BC) ferry vessel, skipping along the spectacular mountainous coastline of BC, or by air cruising above and around the highest mountains in BC.
I chose to drive 457 km on highway 20 from Williams Lake. This is the only road leading to the Bella Coola Valley. The highway is paved for the first 319 km to Anahim Lake, through the Chilcotin plateau along prosperous farms and forests. At Anahim Lake, the paved road changes to an all-season gravel road, and that is where the true adventure begins.
The Bella Coola Valley was first known as the valley of Nuxalk, meaning “becoming one”, and was inhabited by the Nuxalk Nation. Nestled in the heart of the Coast Mountains the valley is a remote, natural paradise, rich with First Nation history and culture and has an abundance of wildlife. Here you experience authentic wilderness, natural wonders, glacier-fed rivers, unique flora and plenty of adventures.
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Globerovers Magazine December 2018
My car at Heckman Pass Summit.
The Hill at the Heckman Pass Summit.
Grizzly bear cub catching Salmon near Bella Coola .
The Hill at the Heckman Pass Summit.
Welcome to Bella Coola, Canada
The Bella Coola Harbour
The Bella Coola shoreline near Clayton Falls.
Grizzly bear cub catching Salmon near Bella Coola .
Grizzly bear cub.
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Globerovers Magazine December 2018