Over the last eight or nine years, I have been to many places within British Columbia as well as a select few locations in the province of Alberta. Of course, I enjoy it, but it also comes with another fact; I have been almost nowhere outside of Canada. In fact, up until January of this year, I hadn’t left Canada ever, and I had only been out of the province once, to the neighboring province of Alberta. With this, I have knowledge of every aspect of British Columbia, as I have visited the upper regions numerous times. For example, I have flown five times this year. Four of those times were domestic, the other two were the only time I have travelled internationally. On top of this, I have embarked on too many car trips to count; at least thirty this year. Keep in mind that all of the trips I am talking about have been longer than two hours, and trips that are longer than two days. I know the ins and outs of Vancouver Island, along with many spots that are kept quiet to keep tourists away. As for the rest of British Columbia, my time has been spent in the Nechako region in Smithers, and I have learned all about the local spots from my family that are also kept quiet. Eastern British Columbia is the most scenic by far, with a large portion of the Rocky Mountains running through a few smaller towns, along with a small portion of Alberta. Alberta also has some amazing spots that are off of the tourist trail. Back in May, I made a special trip to Calgary to visit my family, and they also showed me some stunning locations that aren’t in the main core hub of the Rockies. Kananaskis Country is a separate part of the Rockies that is 50km south of Banff. It is truly amazing, and it doesn’t have the crowds that gather more north in Banff. On the journey to Kananaskis on Highway 7, you will pass a rather interesting landmark. A rock that geologically formed in a farm a few kilometers off of Okotoks. This rock led to Okotoks urban planners running out of names for buildings somehow. They have the Big Rock High School, as well as the Big Rock bowling alley. I think about eight buildings in Okotoks start with ‘big rock’. As you continue the trek to Kananaskis, more specifically Sheep River, which is the exact spot, you pass through a town called Black Diamond. It has a retro diner straight from the 70s, and the ice cream was fantastic.
I have extensive knowledge about locations in Northern British Columbia, such as Crater Lake, 5km south of the Hudson Bay Mountain Peak. It is pure mountain water in the lake off the glacier, and it is freezing cold. I also filled a water bottle and drank from the lake (don’t worry, I was fine). A local then proceeded to tell me he skinny dipped in the lake on the returning hike after I had drank the water, an interesting turn of events. Very ‘pure’ water that I drank. Anyhow, it was still a fun experience. Another lake that I enjoy trekking to is called Guess Lake, or Paradise Lake to residents (I will refer to it as paradise, as it sounds better). The road to Paradise is well, not exactly paradise. It is an extremely bumpy, narrow trail with sharp rocks, extensive wildlife, and can be difficult to tackle in harsh weather conditions. It is, to be exact, seven kilometers out into the Babine Mountain Range, with another twelve on a more well traveled trail, before you reach the main logging road to Smithers. The lake is a journey, but totally worth it to any willing to make the trip. Hunting is also good, and grouse are prominent through the trail. It is a true wonder, and Northern British Columbia is a very beautiful place.