Salmon Glacier

  Salmon Glacier is the largest glacier in the world that is accessible by a road – about twenty miles of rough gravel road. It’s often foggy and the glacier may not be visible at the summit overlook. The road after the summit is owned by a mining company and the visitor center brochure states that it not maintained -drive at your own risk.

  We spent the night at the summit because clouds had settled in obscuring the view. We hoped that it would clear in the morning. It was still foggy after we ate lunch but the Bear Man, a local from Stewart who sells DVDs and books at the summit,(http://www.hancockhouse.com/products/grebea_authorbio.htm ) told us that if we drove farther we would descend under the clouds and be able to see the glacier. We’re so glad that we listened to his advice. Wow –the glacier is magnificent! The road past the summit is in the same condition as the rest of the road but use your own judgment. The clouds had lifted by the time we made it back up to the summit on our return trip.

  The parking area overlook is covered with large gravel. There are handicapped accessible vault toilets.

The parking area is large enough for RVs but the road, past a certain point, is not recommended for large RVs. Glacier
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Fish Creek Bear Viewing Area

  This short boardwalk, along a salmon spawning route, is managed by the U.S. national forest service. The railings and gates protect both the bears and the people. There’s a charge to enter so ask if the salmon are running before paying – no salmon, no bears when we visited. However the next day when we passed by after driving to Salmon glacier, a black bear and her cub were giving everyone a good photo opportunity.

  The parking lot is large loose gravel-hard to push through.The boardwalk is accessible. There are sections with heavy wire fencing instead of boards so that children and people in wheelchairs get a good view.

  Parking is only allowed in the lots. They’re large enough for RVs. Boardwalk
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Stewart Estuary Boardwalk

  The boardwalk starts at the information center extends out into the wetland for a good view of the plants, birds, and mountains.

  It’s accessible-about 1/2 mile out and back,easy rolling but bumpy. Be cautious when turning parallel with the boards. Some of the gaps are large enough to allow wheels to fall in and you could get stuck.

  The parking lot is large enough for RVs.
 

Bear Glacier

  Bear Glacier is visible from turnouts along Hwy 37A, the road leading to Stewart, B.C. There aren’t any trails for a closer view.

  The turnouts are large enough for RVs. Glacier
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Gitwangak Battle Hill

  Five longhouses surrounded by a palisade stood on the top of this mound for at least a hundred years. They were burnt down in 1835 during a tribal war over fishing sites and trade routes.

  The accessible overlook has several panels with part of the story. More panels are along a short trail that starts down at the steps and climbs to the top of the mound.

  The parking area is large enough for RVs. Battle Hill
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‘ Ksan Historical Village

  This is a reconstructed village of the First Nations Gitxsan people. On the grounds are totem poles, a small museum, two workshop buildings, a feast house, a building containing dance regalia and a longhouse. Visitors have a choice of paying for admission to the museum and the grounds only or paying for a guided tour of three of the buildings-the regalia, feast and longhouse buildings-which includes admission to the museum and grounds. The guided tour is about 45 minutes long and very interesting. Many items in the three buildings are beautiful works of art.

   The site is semi-accessible. The pathways are hard packed gravel. The museum and gift shop are accessible with plenty of room and easy to read exhibits. The tour buildings are only partially accessible. The longhouse, with a ramp, is the best but because there are steps down to the floor level people in wheelchairs will not be able to get a close look at the artifacts. The feast building has steps and an extremely narrow doorway. The regalia building has a ramp which is narrow in one spot. There’s also a high threshold at the doorway.

  The parking area is large enough for RVs. Ksan
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Hagwilget Bridge

  The original bridge, constructed over the canyons by the Gitxsan First Nation people, was made of wood and rope. A steel bridge  replaced it in1932. It is still one of the highest suspension bridges in North America.

  There’s a walkway on either side of the bridge so that you can walk out on it and peer down into the canyon. The walkway is an opened grid for the first 30’ feet and small wheelchair wheels may get stuck.

  There are parking areas on the east end of the bridge that are large enough for RVs. Bridge
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Bulkley Valley Museum

 
  The director of this little museum is very knowledgeable and can answer any questions that you have about the museum and the surrounding area. Be sure to ask about the  February 14,1950 crash of a US plane that was carrying a nuclear bomb.

   The museum has steps without a ramp so it’s not accessible for wheelchairs. Inside is fine with room enough to maneuver and easy to see displays.

   The parking lot is large enough for all RVs. Museum
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Burns Lake Village Campground

 
  This is a nice but very small city park campground right next to the lake. It fills up during the summer months but overflow RVs can park along the edges. Stays are limited to 72 hours – no charge.

   There are no sites specifically marked as handicapped. Campground
 

Treasure Cove Casino

  Follow the signs for RV parking. There are two separate sections, one paved, the other gravel. Sign in for overnight parking is not required.

   It’s a little hard to find the cutouts in the parking lot to get to the front door –stay to the left side of the lot.The casino is fairly accessible – light chairs and easy to reach ticket and card slots. Casino

 

Fort St. James

  Simon Fraser built a trading post for the North West Company at this location in 1806. It was the major trading post in the area for years and stayed active until 1952. Most of the sturdy log buildings that exist now were built in the late 1800s. The furnishings and the interpreter’s outfits reflect that time period.

  The site is fairly accessible. The exhibits and movie in the museum are easily viewed. The pathway to the fort area is covered with medium sized gravel – a little hard rolling. Wide boardwalks connect the buildings. Some of the buildings have slightly high thresholds between the rooms. The fish cache has along flight of steps. Go the opposite direction of the arrows on the park leaflet to avoid the steps down to the trail along the water

  The parking area is large enough for all RVs. Fort
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Exploration Place

  Ninety per cent of this museum is geared towards very young children. There also a small dinosaur section and a few history exhibits.

   The museum is accessible. An employee escort for the elevator is required to get to the second floor.

   The parking lot is large enough for all RVs.  Museum
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Quesnel Museum

  This small museum is stuffed with everything that was necessary for life on the farm, ranch and small town in bygone days. One particularly interesting artifact is Mandy, the haunted doll. Mandy
 
                         
  The entrance doors to the museum open outward towards a narrow sidewalk so help will be required to enter. The museum itself is accessible.

  The museum is at the same location as the Quesnel information center. The parking lot is large enough for all types of RVs. Museum
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Barkerville Historic Town

  Free ebook from Amazon - The Cariboo Trail

  In 1862 Billy Barker discovered gold in Williams Creek and started the Cariboo gold rush and the beginnings of Barkerville. Barkerville burnt to the ground in 1868 but was soon rebuilt. There are over 100 wood frame and log buildings in remarkable condition -some housing shops and restaurants, others that are small museums and many with opened doors so that you can peek in at the furnishings. A short history of each building and the occupants is posted.

   The site is not accessible although it is possible to see a lot of it with help. The obstacles are many, starting with a rutted uneven street with loose stones. Many of the buildings have steps only. The ramps are often hard to get to, do not meet the ground evenly and have steep sections. The one shop that we entered was very crowded with merchandise and impossible to navigate through.The ground floors of the museums are accessible with fairly easy to see exhibits. Admission for people in wheelchairs is greatly discounted – only $6.00 instead of the normal rate of $15.00.

  There’s a large lot for RVs.  Barkerville
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Cottonwood House

  Cottonwood House, built in 1865, is one of the oldest buildings in British Columbia. It was a roadhouse along the stagecoach route to the goldfields in Barkerville . The house is opened for guided tours where you’ll learn the interesting history of the Boyd family who owned the property for almost 100 years.

  Most of the property is accessible. The path from the parking lot is composed of small gravel – a bit loose so pushing is a little hard. The old road is hard packed sandy dirt. Most of the buildings have ramps but some have a lip at the doorway. The first floor of the roadhouse is all accessible except for two rooms where there is a step down.  There are four different loop trails around the property that are marked as accessible but the gravel is a bit loose.  Cottonwood House
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  The parking lot is large enough for any RV.

        
        

Williams Lake Information Center

  Each information center in British Columbia is different. They are all stuffed full of pamphlets and brochures so be sure to stop at least one. Even if you have all of the information that you need this one is worth a short stop if only to see the amazing building constructed of huge trees trunks. It also has a complete lodge with a short movie detailing all of the outdoor activities in the area and a car piled high with outdoor equipment. The main floor is all accessible. Large parking lot.   Info Center

      
     

108 Mile Heritage Site

   This is a collection of historic buildings, most original to the site.

    The site is not handicapped accessible. The paths are constructed with large gravel and the rest of the area is thick grass. The roadhouse which contains a museum has several steps up to the entrance. Touring the grounds is possible with help. Everything is free except the museum which requires a donation.

  The parking area is also an official rest area and large enough for any size RV.  Heritage Site
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100 Mile House Centennial Trail Waterfall

   The section of the trail that leads to the waterfall is wide, fairly level and less than 1/4  of a mile long. There are a few obstacles –the first a narrow opening in the barriers at the beginning, a few slightly steep spots and then just before the waterfall comes into view-a bridge that has tilted making a step up to the deck of the bridge. Most wheelchair users will need some help.

  The parking lot is gravel and very large.

  I forgot to take our camera but it’s worth the short walk. Pictures on the city web page - 100 Mile House
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Fulltiming and Blogging

  Most of us who fulltime and blog read the blogs of other people who fulltime and blog. Over time we get to know each other but we seldom get to meet face to face. When we do it’s a special occasion and great fun so we were very happy to take up Gary’s  (http://mrgwh.blogspot.com/)   offer to come visit with him for a couple of days.  He’s working for the summer at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park.He taught us how to roast corn on the cob over a fire and also how to cook a whole chicken on the grill. Yum! The secret to cooking the chicken is to not peek so that the grease doesn’t flare up and burn the chicken skin. Thanks for the great visit Gary and enjoy the rest of your summer!

  We were also fortunate to be able to meet up with Matt of the Redneck Express ( http://redneckexpress.blogspot.com/  ) when we traveled through Oregon last month – another good time eating and talking about traveling and RVs. Thanks guys and we hope to meet both of you on the road again!

Shuswap Lake Provincial Park

 
  None of the campsites in this park are specifically handicapped accessible but most of them are similar to this one-large and level with enough space and vegetation between the sites for privacy.  The tables don’t have much of an overhang. The park is very popular and 100% reservable so make sure that there are sites available before you make the trip.

  Water activities on the lake are the main attraction. The park also has many trails opened for walking and biking. The short beach trail is the easiest one for wheelchairs –fairly level with small gravel. The nature center is accessible and the interpretative trail behind it may be accessible with help.It has some steep sections. The campground roads are very good for walking or rolling-smooth asphalt and little traffic.   Campground

Beach trail with picnic table.                    Interpretive trail.