8 October 20, 2010 + Over the Edge Stuff to do North of Prince George GRACE WADDELL PHOTO EDITOR This is Part Two in the series of ‘Stuff to do Near Prince George’! With winter on the way and most of the leaves gone, it’s not surprising that most people don’t currently have a desire to venture further north, but it is pretty neat up there and there are a few things that should be tried in the warmer seasons. This part takes you north on Highway 97, which seems to always have construction in the summer months but is still worth the journey to see the northern lands. Chief Lake Road 13km: This is a really short venture from PG and sometimes easier to get to by taking Foothills Blv. north, depending on where you start from in town. Down Chief Lake road are many fun things like the Park Drive-In Theatre, which is one of the only drive- ins left in BC. It’s reasonably priced, there are good snacks, and during the day they have go karts and mini-golf. What more could you want? Further down Chief Lake road there is the Rainbow Berry Farm which is a you-pick that specializes in amazing Saskatoon Berries and Dog Power Adventures where you can watch sled dog demonstrations. There are quite a few lakes further down the road - some are accessible for swimming and others have only private access, but it’s not hard to find the good spots. The Nukko Lake General Store is worth checking out and if you forgot basically anything they will probably have it - including refreshing beverages. Salmon Valley 27km: A great place for a swim! The river is usually warm in the summer and has a moderate current so it’s fairly easy to navigate. Lots of people just sit in lawn chairs in the river and cool off when it gets too hot. Many people go there in the summer but it rarely seems too crowded and people are usually friendly. Though the bridge there is pretty cool, don’t be an idiot and jump off the bridge, even if other people are doing it and it seems like a good idea. A little bit down the river (and down Salmon Valley road) there is a nice camp site on a part of the river that gets less traffic. Goodsir Nature Park 33km: This park is a privately owned property that is basically serves as a hobby for the owner. He has collected specimens of plants and trees from all over Canada and planted them on his property. There are guided tours available as well as a beaver pond, a picnic area, and a small museum. From Hwy 97 turn left onto Old Summit Lake road past Salmon Valley - the signage is helpful. This is definitely worth a stop on a journey north or a trip in and of itself. Huble Homestead 46km: Huble Homestead is a heritage site that includes an original pioneer house, reproduced outbuildings, and a general store. The store is worth checking out as it has local artisan rather than the regular tourist crap. They have reasonably priced food and, surprisingly, a few vegetarian/vegan options. In the summer there are sheep, ducks, rabbits and chickens living there. It is located on the Fraser River and you can get there by turning right on Mitchell Road off of the highway, - the signage is adequate. There are guided tours and it’s a good opportunity to learn about local history concerning homesteading, fur trapping, and the personal stories of the Huble family. Summit Lake 55km: This lake is mainly taken up by private cabins but there is a camp site on the north end of the lake (or so internet research tells me). | have usually ended up jumping off of a random dock beside a boat launch, but if you have better luck than myself and happen to find the campsite, it’s a pretty nice lake with decent fishing and cold water. Bear Lake 73km: This is a favourite spot for swimming among PG residents that don’t mind the drive and the crowds. There are imported sand beaches and a decent camp site, however swimmers are often at risk for swimmers itch. If you’re going to bring alcohol to the beach make sure to be discreet as it is against the rules and the enforcement is pretty stringent. The community of Bear Lake is tiny but they have a neat little store along the highway. Carp Lake 150km: This is a great Provincial Park and a much better spot than the previous two if you prefer peace and quiet. There is a campground that has had improvement done to it in recent years and offers awesome sites directly on the water. There are also a few campsites only accessible by boat as they are on islands in Carp Lake. It apparently has great fishing and is good for boating and canoeing. There are many trails in the area and a few sandy beaches, which are good for swimming. The lake is accessible by a gravel road GRACE WADDELL Cloclwise: Salmon Valley bridge, Huble Homestead, a cuddly black bear hiding out in thr woods, and (obviously) the world’s largest tree crusher located in Mackenzie off of the highway - there are signs! The gravel road is 32km and usually well maintained but may be rough in the spring and during especially wet times. Mackenzie 182km: This is one of the few towns north of PG that is definitely worth checking out. There is a great bakery, the largest tree crusher in the world, and many great outdoor activities. For a town isolated as it is, the people there have lots of entertainment such as snowmobiling, skiing (two ski hills in town), and a lake right in town. Powder King ski hill isn’t far and there are busses that run from PG to Powder King in the winter. If you’re staying there, there are some decent hotels and a few times a year there are local music shows. Chetwynd 301km: For an extremely small northern town, Chetwynd has a pretty cool community feel and only one traffic light. When you're there you can walk to most places, and therefore don’t need a car. There’s a few good places to eat as well as a fabric store, which if you’re into sewing at all, you'll know you can’t find one in PG. They also have a pretty cool summer music festival, Grizfest.