Cover photo: Common loon with twin chicks at Chimney Lake. Photo: Robert E Moberg
Following the Call of the Loon: Summer in the Cariboo
By Vanessa Moberg
It’s happy hour at your rented lakeside cabin. It’s golden hour, too – that evening light is something else. You settle into your adirondack chair, cold beverage in hand, making plans with the others for dinner. Your day was a blast, spent waterskiing, wading, and exploring. Maybe tomorrow you’ll go fishing. A rainbow trout on the barbeque would be the “cherry on top” of this lively yet relaxed summer getaway. Through the chatting and laughter, you hear it… the call of the loon. So beautiful. So haunting. So… summer. Maybe it’s the same one you saw earlier in the day through your binoculars, diving and then coming up with food for its two growing chicks.
With about 0.8 people per square kilometre in the Cariboo, there are no frenzied commutes or packed schedules here. There’s time to just sit; space to just breathe.
Higher latitudes mean longer days with plenty of time to set your own pace. And with an average of more than 300 days of sunshine annually, summer in the Cariboo is bright, cheerful, and laid-back.
The San Jose River at sunset. Photo: Solos Productions
As summer vacations go, you can’t really beat this big, wild land. There are simply too many experiences to cover in one article.
There are hundreds of kilometres of trails to hike, bike, and camp; abundant wildlife to watch and photograph; Indigenous cultural experiences to broaden your mind; world-class immersive heritage sites to explore; colourful, bountiful farmers’ markets to peruse; Masters-length golf courses to tee-off on; and authentic ranch experiences with horses to ride.
Speaking of horses, did you know the Williams Lake Stampede is one of the largest rodeos in Canada? First held in 1919, and happening annually over the Canada Day long weekend, it’s an exciting time to visit the City of Williams Lake. The event features bull riding, saddle bronc, barrel racing, and more, along with a Kids Korral, and Young Gunz Rodeo.
The thrilling mountain race at the Williams Lake Stampede. Photo: Solos Productions
Another one of the Cariboo’s marquis experiences is “the lake”. There are thousands of lakes here – literally – along with cascading waterfalls, wild rivers, and winding creeks.
If you enjoy fishing, you’re in luck. In the North Cariboo, rainbow trout almost a metre long have been fished from the Quesnel River, a renowned dry-fly fishing destination. Upstream, you can try your luck at Quesnel Lake, the deepest fjord lake in the world. Or, just outside the City of Quesnel at Dragon Lake, catch that trophy trout and go home with bragging rights.
And in the South Cariboo, Highway 24 running east from 100 Mile House is known as the “Fishing Highway” for its premiere fishing opportunities at Bridge Lake, Horse Lake, Sheridan Lake, Watch Lake, and others where you can catch rainbow trout, lake trout, kokanee, brook trout, burbot, and char. Don’t forget to get your license and consult BC’s Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before you go.
Many of the Cariboo’s lakes are large – massive, really. Quesnel Lake alone is over 260 square kilometres, and there are many other large lakes like Horsefly, Canim, and Charlotte. With all this real estate, you won’t find yourself competing for campsites like you would in more populated areas.
The size of these lakes make them ideal for boating, too. Whether cruising, trolling, kayaking, canoeing or bouncing down the mighty Fraser on a river boat adventure, you’ll find something in the Cariboo to float your boat.
And then there’s watersports. Dragon Lake is one of the Cariboo’s hotspots for waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing, where the words “average” and “boring” are not part of the vernacular.
And because Dragon Lake is a mere 10-minute drive from Downtown Quesnel, you can dry off, find a pub, and wet your whistle in no time at all.
Wakesurfing on Dragon Lake, right in Quesnel. Photo: Aspen Films
With the right safety equipment and adaptations, most water activities can be family-friendly affairs. In fact, memory-etching formative experiences are the Cariboo’s specialty.
For some good, old-fashioned fun, there are about 20 ranches in the South Cariboo area. Riding horses through the forest is the kind of joyful experience you can expect on your epic family vacation. Screen time will be the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Mountain biking is also pretty huge here. There are hundreds of trails to choose from in the Cariboo, with many of them being kid-friendly rides, like Hustle and Flow in 100 Mile House.
Many Cariboo trails are great for kids too, like Hustle and Flow in 100 Mile House, Photo: Elladee Brown
Just two kilometres south of the District of 100 Mile House you will find the 99 Mile Low Mobility Trail. This 1.7-kilometre gentle grade trail winds through the forest with four viewpoints along the way. There are accessible picnic tables and benches, as well as an accessible outhouse at the end.
You will find several other low mobility trails across the Cariboo which are designed to accommodate individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers, including a brand new one at Pioneer Park on Dragon Lake just outside the City of Quesnel.
Your family vacation wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the District of Wells. Known for its vibrant arts scene, Wells will awaken your creative spirit. Visit Island Mountain Arts to view the exhibitions or take in a workshop to try a new craft. They also host the ArtsWells Festival, quickly becoming known across Canada as one of the premiere festivals for “all things art”.
Take in a screen printing class in Wells, Photo: Elladee Brown
Wells is also a perfect base camp for many outdoor activities, including the world-renowned Bowron Lakes Circuit, a 116-kilometre chain of waterways and connecting lands, an extraordinary Canadian adventure.
And practically on Wells’ doorstep, just five kilometres away is Barkerville Historic Town and Park. A stunningly well-preserved gold rush town, Barkerville is now the largest living-history museum in western North America. During the summer, the site comes alive with interpreters in period clothing doing reenactments and demonstrations. Take in an Indigenous cultural session, learn how to pan for gold or watch a blacksmith at work.
An interpreter at Barkerville Historic Town and Park, Photo: Arkitek Creative
With so much to see and do, one thing is for certain: pure, authentic experiences await your unbridled spirit in the Cariboo.
After all, memories make the best souvenirs.
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