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North
Bend
Situated across the Fraser River from Boston
Bar on the west side of the Fraser Canyon is North Bend. Home
to Canadian Pacific Railway divisional headquarters since 1885,
North Bend has served as a crew exchange point for trains coming
from either Vancouver or Kamloops.
Aerial
Car Ferry
North Bend for many years could only be accessed by an aerial car
ferry that would transport vehicles across the Fraser River from
Boston Bar on cables. The aerial car was capable of transporting
one vehicle with passengers or up to 40 people.
Cog
Harrington Bridge
In January 1986 the Cog Harrington Bridge was opened by the Highways
Minister the Honorable Alex V. Fraser replacing the cable car tramway.
This really opened up the west side of the Fraser River for people
to explore.
Local
Businesses
Unfortunately, because of the ease to go over to Boston Bar, many
of the local businesses of North Bend couldn't compete with the
larger stores in Boston Bar and ended up closing. Buildings still
present include: Kopchitchin Clinic, North Bend Hall and Almer Carlson
Pool.
Jim
& Vicky's 'Canyon Ranchlands'
One business that still exists in North Bend is Jim & Vicky's
'Canyon Ranchlands.' Jim & Vicky's can offer you guided horse
rides that include tracing along old traditional Native fishing
trails that are possibly thousands of years old. 'Canyon Ranchlands'
is open all year long, offering accommodation plus a small café
that serves homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner to its clients.
Exploring
If you're over on the North Bend side, there are lots of places
to discover up and down the Fraser River. Just a reminder, though,
when you are on the back roads, please remember to slow down and
watch for logging trucks, equipment and workers on the roadway.
Scuzzy
Creek
Travelling south from North Bend on the west side of the Fraser,
you go down Green Ranch Road along the Fraser River until the road
comes to Scuzzy Creek. From here the forest service turns inland
for a few kms (miles) to Scuzzy Creek Recreational Site. This is
a small site but there is some fishing and near-beautiful areas
especially near 2,217 metre (7,274 feet) high Scuzzy Mountain
Nahatlatch
Valley
If you do travel north from North Bend on the west side, the road
follows the Fraser upstream until it crosses the Nahatlatch River
just before the railway point of Keefers. From here you enter a
very pristine area called the Nahatlatch Valley where the local
First Nations have deemed as sacred for thousands of years.
Nahatlatch
Provincial Park
Nahatlatch Provincial Park is located approximately 23 km (14 miles)
north-west of North Bend on the Nahatlatch Forest Service Road.
The park was established to help preserve and protect a very large
intact wetland. Three lakes - Frances, Hannah and Nahatlatch - offer
recreation sites with great Cutthroat Trout and Dolly Varden fishing.
Kayaking
the Nahatlatch River
Whitewater enthusiasts will find rafting or kayaking down the continuous
rapids on the Nahatlatch River just as exciting as the Thompson
or Fraser but totally undiscovered. There is also some canoeing
in more placid waters plus the odd swimming hole located in some
backwater pools.
Alpine
Trails
If you enjoy walking, the area features alpine trails throughout
with excellent opportunities for wildlife and scenic photography.
There are also old mining and exploration roads offering some mountain
biking.
Mehati
Creek Provincial Park
If you decide to travel further west from Nahatlach Provincial Park
you come to Mehati Creek Provincial Park. Located approximately
48 km (30 miles) from North Bend, Mehati Creek Provincial Park offers
alpine meadows, spectacular views of mountain ridges and a walk
into Mehati Falls.
Canadian
Pacific Railway
When you do travel over to North Bend there are some railway
crossings. Expect some time delays as this railway corridor can
be quite busy at all times.
Information
on North Bend
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