Edwards, Funk & Stoker

 

Most who turn with interest to the Cariboo area tend to be keen on doing the Bowron Lakes, the tourist trip to former gold town, Bakerville, or Island Mountain Arts Centre in Wells. There are fewer who ponder the possibilities of superb mountain rambles in the Cariboo area. Hiking the Cariboo Goldfields is a must read guide to the many trails, routes, ridges, lakes, tarns and peaks in the area. There is an annual week long harp camp at the Island Mountain Arts Centre in Wells that my wife often attends, so in the summer of 2011, as she was busy with many other harpists, I purchased a copy of Hiking the Cariboo Goldfields and took to a different trail and route each day.

 

Hiking the Cariboo Goldfields is divided into 5 sections: 1) History of the Area, 2) Trail Descriptions, 3) Route Descriptions, 4) Other Trails Near Wells and Barkerville, 5) Services, Attractions and Bibliography.

The history section is a fine primer on the area that is most informative for novices. ‘The Cariboo Goldfields’ map puts much in perspective.  The many black and white photographs are most illustrative.

The best chapters, for those restless to get up the mountains, are ‘Trail Descriptions’ and ‘Route Descriptions’. The authors have made this elementary distinction for the simple reason that many or the trails are easy to find and follow to their end destination, whereas some of the routes need some basic route finding skills. I did a variety of both trail and route treks, and both end on fine summits with magnificent views of mountains and lakes in different directions. There are splendid views, for example, of some of the Bowron Lakes from the lookout on Two Sisters Trail. It is quite possible to do an 8 peak week in the area as the leads from Hiking the Cariboo Goldfields are heeded and followed. There are some excellent huts and cabins also that can make for a fine extended trip.

 

The section on ‘Other Trails Near Wells and Barkerville’ is more for flatland walks in which the remnants

and remains of gold mine history are abundant. The final section fills out quite nicely some of the more touristy services and attractions.

 

Hiking the Cariboo Goldfields is a fine missive that describes, in meticulous detail, spring-summer-autumn trips, but there are also excellent ski touring possibilities. There is, of course, the ski loop of Bowron Lakes or trips to a couple of cabins on route. There are also other popular ski trips that the locals know well and lead to exquisite vistas. A brief visit to Bear’s Paw in Wells where Dave runs WHITEGOLD ADVENTURES will open up for the winter mountaineer all sorts of skiing possibilities.

 

The Cariboo mountains and goldfields are often ignored by those interested in week long treks in BC, but Hiking the Cariboo Goldfields amply and convincingly so highlights why such trails-routes should be part of the BC mountain circuit.