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Smithers
Smithers is located east of Hazelton
of Prince George and 15 km (9 miles) west of Telkwa
on Hwy 16.
Half
Way to Prince Rupert
Once you reach Smithers you are about half way from Prince
George 371 km (232 miles) to the east and Prince
Rupert which is still 353 km (221 miles) away to the west. Smithers
is located in a large valley called, 'The Bulkley Valley.'
The
Bulkley Valley
When you are driving west of Houston
on Hwy 16 to wards Smithers, there is an excellent view of the Bulkley
Valley as you descend 'Hungry Hill' into Quick. The large mountain
2,652 metres (8,700 feet) you see in the background towards Smithers
is Hudson Bay Mountain.
'Town
for all Seasons'
Established as a CN Railway station and later as a centre for agriculture,
Smithers now calls itself a 'Town for all Seasons.' With the town
surrounded by various mountain ranges in either direction and the
buildings having a Bavaria theme, Smithers has often been called
'Little Switzerland.'
Places
to Eat
Smithers has quite a variety of fast food outlets located right
on Hwy 16 through the town. If your time permits and you enjoy pastries,
make sure you try Schimmels Fine Pastries on Main St. Schimmels
has one of the best cinnamon buns available in BC. It is a great
spot to sit down, have a coffee and meet the locals.
Recreation
During the winter season it cannot be said enough about what to
do. The winter sports in this town excel: back-country skiing, snowmobiling,
snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and curling.
Over the rest of the year there is golfing, hiking, biking, ATV's,
4x4, hunting, fishing and exploring. You will find that there is
just not enough time to see it all.
Hudson
Bay Mountain
Smithers is home to Hudson Bay Mountain, one of the best destinations
in northern British Columbia for cross-country skiing and downhill
skiing. Hudson Bay Mountain offers to the enthusiast perhaps the
best powder snow in British Columbia. The downhill skiing and boarding
located here is awesome. The mountain has a great selection of runs
for all skill categories.
Four
Mountain Ranges
Smithers is blessed being surrounded by four large mountain ranges.
These ranges; the Skeena Range, the Bulkley Range, Telkwa Range
and the Rocher Deboule Range created some interest in mining exploration.
During Smithers evolvement, various mines were established throughout
these mountain ranges.
Mountain
Biking and Hiking
Most of the mines are now closed but their legacy still remains.
That is the amount of old trails and mining roads. These roads will
give you access to some of the nicest alpine terrain available.
If your time permits, try one of these old trails either by mountain
biking or hiking in Silverking Basin. Located in Babine Mountains
Provincial Park, Silverking offers some of BC's best areas to explore.
Smithers
Hiking Club
If you're interested, a good book for reference on hikes and trails
is 'Trails to Timberline' by Einar Blix. This has been the local
manual for years. A good place to contact people for hikes is through
the Bulkley Valley Backpackers Society. This club meets every week
for a different hike in the area. They are a very friendly group
and expect a great hike.
Snowmobiling
The three main areas maintained by the Smithers Snowmobile Association
are The Onion, Dome Mountain and the Microwave near Telkwa. The
season is very long, lasting right into May. One event to participate
in is the annual Smithers Hill climb held in May.
Pine
Creek Ski Trails
For cross-country skiing try the Pine Creek ski trails located in
the Smithers Community Forest on Hudson Bay Mountain Road.
Areas
to explore around Smithers
Areas around Smithers to explore include going towards Houston,
Babine Lake or west to Moricetown.
Houston
Houston is just east of Smithers by around 50 minutes. A good route
to take is to drive to Telkwa east of Smithers. At the Telkwa light,
turn towards the Bulkley River and across the bridge. Just after
the bridge is Lawson Road; this road goes down the west side of
the Bulkley River. Keep on this road as you pass a narrow bridge
near Round Lake. The road changes names at Walcott to the Telkwa
FSR. This road eventually connects at the Morice River with the
Morice Gold FSR.
Morice
River
Take the road over the bridge at the Morice River and connect with
the Morice River FSR. Turn north on this road. You will now pass
the 'World's Largest Sawmill' owned by Canfor. The Morice River
FSR eventually meets Hwy 16 .
Pleasant
Valley Café
You can either turn towards Houston, five minutes away or go back
to Smithers, which will take about 40 minutes. Houston has a few
restaurants, cafés, and a neighbourhood pub if you're hungry.
The food at the Pleasant Valley Café is usually good, serving
large portions.
Telkwa
High Road
To go to areas west of Smithers there are a few ways to go. A real
scenic route is to take the Telkwa High Road located on Hwy 16 in
Telkwa. This back road takes a nice route on the east side of the
Bulkley River. You can also access Telkwa High Road off of Eckman
Rd. closer in at Smithers on Hwy 16. But by starting at Telkwa,
you get to see the whole of Telkwa High Road and experience the
views of Tyhee Lake outside of Telkwa.
Driftwood
Canyon Provincial Park
As you drive west on the Telkwa High Road, you will pass the community
of Driftwood. There is a real nice park here called Driftwood Canyon
Provincial Park; this is where you can find the parking for Silverking
Basin and the Babine Mountain Recreation Area.
Moricetown
Carry on the Telkwa High Road and look for Malkow Lookout near Snake
Road. Along this stretch of road there are some pretty impressive
views of Smithers and Hudson Bay Mountain. The road continues through
some beautiful country and emerges at the Moricetown Canyon Native
Fishery at the Bulkley River. During the fish run in the summer
and fall, you can witness traditional fishing as the salmon try
and swim through the canyon. At Moricetown the road emerges with
Hwy 16 and you complete the circle route back to Smithers.
Babine
Lake
If time permits, visit Babine lake, British Columbia's longest natural
lake. The turnoff for the lake is approximately halfway between
Smithers and Telkwa at Eckman Road. This road eventually changes
to Burn't Cabin Road, later to merge with Babine lake Road. The
road is gravel but is in great shape. Look for the sign on Hwy 16
pointing the way.
Smithers
Landing
It is approximately 50 km (32 miles) to Smithers Landing from the
turnoff on Hwy 16. If you have a boat, the fishing is great. You
can stay at Tukii Lodge or try your luck at obtaining one of the
wilderness campsites located right on the lake at Babine Lake -
Smithers Landing Marine Provincial Park
Riverside
Municipal Park
If you are camping, try and get into Riverside Municipal Park situated
next to the Bulkley River. It is close to town plus it is situated
near the 'Perimeter Trail,' a municipal trail that is great for
walking and biking around Smithers.
Tyhee
Lake Provincial Park
If Riverside is full there is RV camping located east of Smithers
at Telkwa or 8 km (6 miles) west of Smithers at Glacier View RV
Park. For wilderness camping there are a number of forest service
recreation sites in the area. Closest provincial campground is at
Tyhee Lake back near Telkwa.
Accommodation
Smithers has quite a few motels located right on Hwy 16 as you drive
through town. There are aslo hostels and a small number of intimate
and private cabins close to some lakes, fishing, hiking and some
mountain bike trails.
Information
on Smithers
Smithers
Campgrounds
- Riverside
Municipal Park
3843-19th Avenue
250-847-1600
- Glacier
View RV Park
12 km (7.5 miles) west of Smithers on Hwy 16
(250) 847-3961
- Riverside
Recreation Centre
RV Park & Golf Course
2 km (1.25 miles) east of Smithers on Hwy 16
(250) 847-3229
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