{"id":6648,"date":"2021-10-04T19:14:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T02:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/?p=6648"},"modified":"2021-10-04T19:14:00","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T02:14:00","slug":"prince-rupert-to-smithers-b-c-heading-east-along-highway-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/?p=6648","title":{"rendered":"Prince Rupert to Smithers, B.C. Heading East along Highway 16."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The previous blog post reflected our journey on the B.C. Ferry, Northern Expedition<\/strong>, from Port Hardy<\/strong> to Prince Rupert<\/strong> during August 2021. My husband, my mother, and I were taking advantage of an opening of travel restrictions within our own province of British Columbia<\/strong>, Canada<\/strong> thanks to over 80% of our citizens (including us) being fully vaccinated against Covid 19. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prince Rupert (near #11) is the hub for travel to Haida Gwaii, Alaska, Port Hardy, or northeast B.C.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As darkness engulfed our 10:30 p.m. August 2021 ferry arrival in Prince Rupert<\/strong>, I have included some photos of the ferry terminal and surrounding harbour taken during the daylight on our 2019 trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Prince Rupert terminal is the hub for travel to Haida Gwaii, Port Hardy, and Alaska! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These photos were taken during a previous trip on March 31st 2019 when we reversed route directions and departed from Prince Rupert<\/strong> heading south to Port Hardy<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prince Rupert harbour is a busy working harbour! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Prince Rupert harbour is a hectic location. As we departed from the Ferry Terminal we could observe the active CN freight train line, Coast Guard vessels, Commercial Fish Packing plants, Float planes, and stacks of containers being loaded and unloaded onto International freighters that were waiting their turn in the bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are totem poles in several locations near the terminal. The dock connecting the B.C. Ferry<\/strong> is fairly lengthy and the way the ferry connects and departs from this dock is worth watching! (From our 2019 trip). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Totem poles and \u201cWe\u2019re off!\u201d <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Time to explore Prince Rupert<\/strong>… This coastal community<\/strong> is a hub on the northwest coast of British Columbia<\/strong>. At present it boasts a population of 12,220 people<\/strong>. Wikipedia<\/strong> calls Prince Rupert<\/strong> “The City of Rainbows<\/strong>” and claims it is Canada’s wettest city<\/strong> with 2,620 mm (103 inches) of average annual precipitation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following photos were taken while exploring Prince Rupert<\/strong> in late March 2019<\/strong>. Note the snow on the surrounding mountains and frozen icicles hanging off the rocks beside the walking trails. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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March 31st 2019 exploring Prince Rupert. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cow Bay<\/strong> is a really colorful and historically interesting area to explore. You will have located Cow Bay<\/strong> when you discover the \u201cPride\u201drainbow sidewalk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I must confess that as we explored Prince Rupert<\/strong> in mid August 2021<\/strong> we were stunned by the green, lush plants and grass compared to the dry heat wave yard conditions on Vancouver Island<\/strong> and around much of the province this summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Around Prince Rupert August 2021. No evidence of a heat wave here! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.travel-british-columbia.com\/northern-british-columbia\/yellowhead-highway-16\/prince-rupert\/<\/a> For additional information about Prince Rupert<\/strong> this is a practical website to view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another fascinating aspect of Prince Rupert<\/strong> is that it\u2019s actually located on Kaien Island<\/strong> in the territory of the Tsimshan First Nations<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prince Rupert \u2014 Kaien Island. August 2021<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prince Rupert<\/strong> is only 48 km (30 miles) south of Alaska<\/strong>, USA! It\u2019s closest main Canadian City is Terrace, B.C<\/strong>. located 145 km (90 miles) west along Yellowhead highway 16<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leaving Kaien Island Yellowhead highway along the Skeena River <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The majestic Skeena River<\/strong>, in its full glory, is a regal companion as you travel from Prince Rupert to Terrace<\/strong>. The highway runs adjacent to the river for most of the trip and its beauty is stunning! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Skeena River Yellowhead highway 16<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Periodically you may lose sight of the Skeena<\/strong> as incredibly lengthy CN (Canadian National) freight trains<\/strong> pull cargo multiple times each day. Bill Gates owns over 10% shares of this Canadian company! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sharing the view with trains! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

VIA rail<\/strong> also runs passenger trains which travel between Jasper and Prince Rupert, B.C<\/strong>. A good percentage of the train transportation route tends to run between the highway and the river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just prior to Terrace<\/strong> we encountered several interesting bridges<\/strong>. People were swimming and fishing<\/strong> in the rivers or enjoying sunbathing on the smoother banks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kitsumkalum Near Terrace. Note the Spirit bear statue. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Onward to Terrace<\/strong> which is a city of similar size to Prince Rupert<\/strong>\u2014just over 12,000 population. It is located on unceded Tsimshian First Nations<\/strong> territory. Terrace<\/strong> is the largest city in the Kitimat-Stikine<\/strong> district. For more information about Terrace<\/strong> check out this website. https:\/\/www.terrace.ca\/discover-terrace\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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More fascinating highway and railroad bridges near Terrace <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While exploring Terrace<\/strong> keep a look out for Kermode or Spirit bears<\/strong>! They have many Spirit bear statues<\/strong> scattered around the city. Each one is unique and beautiful. Here is a sample of 2 Spirit bears<\/strong> we discovered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kermode or Spirit bears at Terrace, BC. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Continuing on the highway, we headed northeast towards Hazelton<\/strong> area on highway 16<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This truck from Alberta had an interesting metal attachment on the back. Hmmmm…. We rarely see these on Vancouver Island<\/strong>. But as my brother lives in Prince George<\/strong> and has one for his truck…. I am familiar with its purpose. Snowmobiles or ATV’s! During much of the year there is deep snow up here! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ready to haul heavy snowmobiles or ATV’s. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The landscape started to change as we continued travelling away from the coast towards the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena rivers at Hazelton<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nearing the 2 Hazeltons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are several communities that make up the \u201cHazeltons<\/strong>\u201d area. There is much rich history here in the historical heartland of northwest B.C. European Pioneer settlement started in the 1860\u2019s. But the Gitzsan and Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en First Nations<\/strong> settled here over 8,000 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom was not keen to stop and explore during this trip. So I\u2019ve included some photos from our March 2019<\/strong> visit. The first collage depicts the Old Town Hazelton pioneer community 1880\u2019s<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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March 2019. Pioneer Hazelton area. Lots of interesting artifacts and little shops. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you are fascinated by First Nations culture and history<\/strong> I highly recommend visiting the \u2018Ksan Historical Village and Museum<\/strong>. Learn about Gitxsan history<\/strong> and if you are lucky, you may be invited to assist with carving a majestic totem<\/strong> pole<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2018Ksan Historical Village March 2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We were invited to learn to carve at \u2018Ksan<\/strong>! What an honour!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2018Ksan Historical Village. Carving lesson. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more information about the diverse history and experiences available at the Hazeltons<\/strong>, check out their local website. http:\/\/www.hazeltonstourism.ca\/ksan-historical-village-and-museum.html<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our final destination during this journey was Smithers, British Columbia<\/strong>. Smithers<\/strong> is located about one-half way between Prince Rupert and Prince George<\/strong> along Highway 16. It is 74 km (46 miles) by car from Hazelton to Smithers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Welcome to Smithers, B.C. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Smithers<\/strong> is a stunning alpine type town in northwestern B.C. famous for its world class skiing and fishing<\/strong>. Its population of about 5,400 people has remained remarkably consistent for the last decade. If you love outdoor recreation, this community has much to offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next blog post will explore Smithers and the Nechako Lakes District<\/strong> area of north central B.C. Keep smiling and stay safe. Cheers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The previous blog post reflected our journey on the B.C. Ferry, Northern Expedition, from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert during August 2021. My husband, my mother, and I were taking advantage of an opening of travel restrictions within our own province of British Columbia, Canada thanks to over 80% of our citizens (including us) being […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6649,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,42,64],"tags":[124,128,255,257,275],"class_list":["post-6648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exploring-canada","category-life-during-covid-19","category-prince-rupert","tag-british-columbia","tag-canada","tag-skeena-river","tag-smithers","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6648\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sandysglobaleyes.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}