Travels With Sir Charles: Cache Creek, BC

We decided to get a later start today so we could have some time to explore the quaint town of Hope before moving on down the road. Hope is the host to The International Chainsaw Carving Competition every two years (2015 being the last one). The streets are decorated with many of the previous pieces of art work. The statues are amazing. They also have a beautiful riverside park on the Fraser River and Hope is the site for the filming of Rambo: First Blood. Many store fronts from the movie are still here.

We walked the streets and then headed out of town toward our planned stop at Hells Gate in the Fraser River Canyon. The road was sometimes narrow and steep, hanging on the edge of the cliffs with the river running wildly below. We found the parking lot for Hells Gate and also a sign informing us that the site was very DOG friendly. Charlie can be included in the 1,000’ decent to the river via the gondola ride and he doesn’t require an entrance fee! With very little coaxing, he hopped aboard the car with Karen, myself, and the rest of the tourists as we plunged into the gorge. He was very brave and I tried my best to not show him my concern. I am not a big fan of high places. At the bottom we toured the history exhibits and shopped in the gift store (Charlie included). I panned for gold but only found a few colorful stones and then off we went to the gondola for the ride back up the cliff.

This river gorge has been a route for the natives and early explorers for thousands of years. Rope ladders and hanging logs served as pathways along the cliffs for eons. Simon Fraser traveled the area and used the trail while exploring the Fraser River (odd that he found a river with the same name as his ;). He described it as a place where no human should venture and named it Hells Gate. The water this day was 146’ deep and can be over 200’ deep at flood stage. More water passes thru the gorge than goes over Niagara Falls. OK, enough history and hydrology info for one day.

After leaving the canyon we followed the Fraser River north thru dry areas that reminded us of the views of eastern Washington. Sandstone, granite hills, sagebrush, and very little else can be found here. We found our way to Cache Creek and stayed overnight. It was a short mileage day but very scenic. Went to bed early with plans to cover more territory tomorrow. Hoping to get an early start.

P.S. Not much humor today. I’m still recovering from that gondola ride L