Early morning on the 24th of September 2009 we decided we wanted to back track and go back and climb up to the caves at Bull Canyon Provincial Park (123 ha). The park is 9km west of Alexis Creek.
We left the Chilcotin Lodge and drove for about an hour west on high way 20. The park itself was closed, otherwise we would have stayed there the night before. The caves are high up above the park and highway in what is called the Bull Canyon Mountain. It is a steep hike to get up there. A lot of loose rocks, gravel etc. make it pretty though in places. Caution must be taken.
Bull Canyon Mountain is part of a Volcanic Plateau called the Chilcotin Group. More on the Chilcotin Group at Wikipedia.
Climbing down from the caves is at times not that easy, but it makes for a challenging and fun hike.
These caves are considered sacred by the local First Nations People. This should be respected when visiting. Archaeological sites exist throughout the park and are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. Please do not disturb these sites.
These caves are considered sacred by the local First Nations People. This should be respected when visiting. Archaeological sites exist throughout the park and are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act. Please do not disturb these sites.
Bull Canyon is also the site of an historic battle between the Tsilhoqot'in and Secwepemc First Nations people.
If you are enjoying the countryside around Bull Canyon Provincial Park, please remember this is Bear Country. Try to avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning times (probably why the park is closed from the 15th of September till spring) unless you feel comfortable with bears around, and please take the usual precautions.... that means pepper spray on your hips and the bear bells ringing, and hoping that the bears are friendly that day. There are also the possibilities of encounters with wolves or cougars so please play it safe. Here is a video of the caves.
After the hike we headed back to the Chilcotin Lodge and hooked the trailer up, and then we drove east to Williams Lake. There we stocked up on some supplies, food, fuel and a part for the 5th wheel trailer. After that, we headed south on Highway 97 then east on Highway 24 to Cariboo Bonanza Resort on Horse Lake
View Larger Map
More on Horse Lake and Cariboo Bonanza Resort in our next blog.
Cheers,
Liz and Anders
After the hike we headed back to the Chilcotin Lodge and hooked the trailer up, and then we drove east to Williams Lake. There we stocked up on some supplies, food, fuel and a part for the 5th wheel trailer. After that, we headed south on Highway 97 then east on Highway 24 to Cariboo Bonanza Resort on Horse Lake
View Larger Map
More on Horse Lake and Cariboo Bonanza Resort in our next blog.
Cheers,
Liz and Anders