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October 6, 2010 + Over the Edge

Stuff to do East of Prince George

The places that make where you live great

GRACE WADDEL
PHOTO EDITOR

This is the first in a four part series of things to do in the four directions from Prince George,
generally in the vicinity of the highway. Most of these destinations need a car to get to but
are a great way to explore the land around where we live and see the beauty of northern
British Columbia. This part concerns highway 16 east.

Tabor Lake/Mountain 20km: This is an excellent spot for camping and fishing for rainbow
trout. At the deepest its about 25 feet so is good for a canoe or small boat but not much
more. To get to the lake follow Giscome Rd on the south of the highway and continue onto
Valhalla Rd, the signage is pretty adequate. During the winter time the Tabor Mountain Ski
Resort is a great place for skiers of all levels, particularly ones of the level that fall down

all the time such as myself. They have a pretty cool restaurant which is licensed as well as
reasonably priced rentals and passes. The ski hill is open 930-300 on weekdays and 900-
330 on weekends and offers some night skiing.

Willow River 35km: This river offers several gems including the townsite which can be
reached from a northward turn off of the highway (indicated with signs) but there is not
much there besides a funky gas station. The place where the river crosses the highway
offers a beautiful rest area. No overnight camping is allowed but if one was willing to take
the chance it is unlikely they would be hassled. The rest stop has clean outhouses and

a series of trails that offer easy hiking and access to the river. Starting near the highway
bridge the river is within a canyon that offers excellent swimming, floating and cliff jumping
(if you are braver than myself). Usually the river is warm enough in the summer for
extended swimming and the proximity to PG makes it a nice drive but not overrun with
people. This spot is beautiful and definitely worth a visit.

Purden Lake/Mountain 66km: Purden Lake is a great spot for camping, fishing, boating
and other water related activities in the summer. The lake is clean and generally free from
such annoyances as swimmers itch. It is located at the beginning of the mountains and
offers spectacular views. It can get busy in the summer, especially at the resort or the
Provincial Park beach but one can easily find a secluded spot. In the winter, Purden Ski
Village is one of the closest choices for skiers of a higher level, although it does offer runs
for the inexperienced as well. While it is the better ski hill for the seasoned skiers it lacks
the cozy feeling of Tabor and is more expensive.

Ancient Forest 113km: This is one of the places that gives northern BC bragging rights

over other places. There are a few trails in this area that take you into the mountains and
through a cedar forest thousands of years old. There is a creek that comes down from

The Ugly Truth

the mountain in a spectacular waterfall and tastes like cedar (I don’t recommend trying it
because you might get sick and sue me). It smells wonderful. Any season is perfect in this
spectacular area and is well worth checking out.

McBride 211km: This is a pretty cute town, about 660 people, and is a haven for draft
dodgers and has a large Mennonite population. It has a museum and an artisan gift shop
located in the Via Rail station. Located in the beginning of the Robson Valley it is nestled in
the mountains and offers many wilderness adventures.

Dunster 245km: This community is largely agricultural and located on the Fraser River.
The Dunster General Store is worth checking out as is the annual Robson Valley Music
Festival which offers a variety of groovy music and a friendly atmosphere. There is also one
of the original remaining Grand Trunk Railway stations still visited by the Via train every few
days. This is located off of the highway a few km on Dunster Station Rd but the signage is
great.

Valemount 294km: This is another town on the way east, taking the highway south at the
Kamloops junction for a few km on highway 5 instead of continuing east. There are many
reasons to take the detour however including great hikes, visiting the wildlife sanctuary,
neat artisan stores and a great quilting shop. Nestled inside of the mountains, Valemont
is a cheaper alternative to Jasper on a long drive to Edmonton or beyond with loads of
character of its own.

Rearguard Falls 278km: This is directly off of the highway but looks like a regular rest stop
(perhaps there is more adequate signage in place since last spring) so if you hit Mt Robson
you’ve gone a little too far. These falls on the Fraser River are the furthest the Chinook
travel to spawn (1200km, upstream all the way). The fall is a good time to see them trying
to jump the falls and complete their life mission. Its a nice spot with excellent infrastructure
in place for viewing the falls in a safe manner. Many trails are also in place but if you’re at
this point and satisfied with your view of the falls its probably time to move on to Mt Robson.

Mt Robson 323km: This mountain is the tallest in the Rocky Mountains and has a
distinctive visage. It is located entirely within the Mount Robson Provincial Park and has
a variety of trails for excellent hiking adventures. It is a rare treat to see the top of the
mountain (12 972 feet!) as it is usually obscured by clouds. The park has quite a few
options for camping and many opportunities for wildlife viewing.

PHOTOS BY GRACE WADDELL
‘The Ancient Forest, Reargaurd Falls, and Mount Robson are all withing 300km of PG and can make
any weekend all the more entertaining,

Make this winter your best ever by avoiding UGGly footwear

SHELBY PETERSEN
EDITOR IN CHIEF

What | am about to say is going to offend most people; however, |
feel that it is not only necessary that | do so, but well within my rights.
You see, dear readers, it is the solemn duty of the press to inform
the general public of the most salient issues at hand, and if possible,
try and divert future distress and catastrophe. What | am about to
discuss with you is not only a pressing issue, but a very important
and timely one as well.

UGG boots. That is right, | am going there. | have heard every excuse
in the book. “We live in Prince George, winter lasts for 10 months,
and we have no option.” This is not true. While Prince George has
been known to deal a wicked hand when it comes to the winter woes,
all is not lost. You do not have to turn down the dark fashion path
that is Ugg boots and the various versions of this highly impractical
form of footwear.

If you are still unsure as to why you should not don this shoe as you
frantically try and make the bus for your 8:30 am class, let me further
reiterate my point. The first and most blatant reason why one should
not wear such a shoe is that, well, they are hideous.

UGG boots are only two letters away from revealing their true nature.
They do nothing to flatter one’s figure, and if anything, they make
your calves look like chunky sausages covered in fuzz. Plus, once
you have worn them for more than a week, they begin to sag and it
looks like you are a lopsided toddler.

The second and less obvious reason why you should not wear UGG
boots this winter (or ever) is that they do not perform the function
which is so very necessary for living in the slushy utopia that is
Northern British Columbia. If you have not noticed, UGG boots are
made out of sheep skin and lined with wool. None of the materials
with which the boot is manufactured are waterproof. What, may |
ask, is the point of owning a winter boot that does not protect against
water? While | may be ostracized for admitting this next fact, | will
do so anyway if only to prove a point. | have, in one of my weakest
moments, purchased a pair of UGG boots thinking they would get
me through the winter. Such was not the case, not only did | have to
double up on socks, my feet were also rudely assaulted by the wet
snow as it seeped through the veritable Maginot line that was less
than competent boots. Now, they sit alone in the corner of my closed
with my other recent fashion mishaps.

Hopefully, this article has sufficiently acted as a warning against

this possible disaster. While | realize that this message may not
have made it to some people in time, | hope that it has saved a
few innocent souls because no one should have to be subjected to
the disaster that is UGG boots. And please, if you must wear them,
do not wear them with your lulu lemon yoga pants half tucked in
— please, just don’t.

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