BC Road Trip to Lillooet
Mountains and Valleys near Lillooet, BC, Canada
A Road Trip From Vancouver to Lillooet
There were a couple of reasons for our road trip near the end of March. I was reviewing a telephoto zoom lens from Fujifilm and wanted proper footage so decided to head into the mountains of BC to see what this lens was all about.
The second reason was an all-important delivery of cheese and herring to our friends Dagny and Philippe from Vernon, BC. You see, we had planned a trip to Vernon around Easter and had purchased Danish cheese and herring for an Easter lunch with our friends.
The current Covid situation threw a wrench into these plans and we have had to postpone our trip to the Okanagan.
The impressive Stavamus Chief in Squamish
Sea to Sky Highway 99 From Vancouver
We headed north on the Sea to Sky Highway, Hwy 99 and after a quick fuel and coffee stop in Squamish, we drove further north to Pemberton.
The main attraction of this road trip was the highway between Pemberton and Lillooet. Morten traveled this route back in 1987 on a ski trip to Whistler from Silver Star. It was Di’s first trip through the mountains on this northern part of Hwy 99. It was great to cover this beautiful stretch of highway.
Heading north from Vancouver we stayed overnight in Lillooet and due to a late winter storm our trip was cut short and we returned to Vancouver already the following day.
Pemberton and Mt. Currie
The weather on the first leg of our road trip from Vancouver to Pemberton was dismal and grey, but as soon as we reached Pemberton the clouds were breaking up and we were graced with the most beautiful sunshine hitting the mountain tops.
It was a mix of sun and clouds blowing over the peaks which makes for excellent landscape photography. Clear blue skies are not always ideal for photography.
Mt. Currie, Pemberton, BC, Canada
After leaving the Whistler/Pemberton region following Lillooet Lake Road it quickly became apparent that we were now on a road less traveled. Hints of spring were in the air and the sun became more predominant.
It was a little over a year since we had returned from our last travel adventure and due to the Covid situation, we had been staying mostly in the Vancouver area with a few trips to the Okanagan. The sensation of driving into new mountain territory felt immensely gratifying to us.
In January 2020, we drove through the spectacular mountains on the South Island of New Zealand, and now, here we were exploring the mountains in our own backyard only a 2-3 hour drive from Vancouver.
Mt. Currie, Pemberton, BC, Canada
The Peaks Along Highway 99
The scenery along Highway 99 between Pemberton and Lillooet is nothing short of spectacular. We drove through Joffrey Lake Provincial Park but it was closed this time of year. We made a mental note to return later.
A long list of mountain peaks comes into view on this drive. I took the names of these from Google Maps and cannot be sure that we saw them all.
What I am sure of, is the fact that it is one of the most beautiful stretches of highway we have traveled in Canada and it counts the following; Mt. Duke, Mt Caspar, Tigger Peak, Channel Peak, Boulder Mountain, and Northern Peak.
Ski tracks on a mountain ridge along Highway 99 in British Columbia, Canada
At a roadside rest stop, we met a young couple. They were getting ready for an overnight campout in the mountains and the goal was to hike to a peak and then ski down the following day. We did see fresh ski tracks on one of the nearby ridges.
As we were gaining more and more elevation the temperatures dropped and while we agreed it would be nice to be young and adventurous like that, having the car, being able to turn up the heat, and yet still witness these spectacular views, was plenty of adventure for us :)
Duffey Lake, BC, Canada
Duffey Lake and Seton Lake
The road winds along and, had it not been for numerous warning signs of avalanche danger, we could have stopped many times for photos. Duffey Lake was still frozen over with ice and snow.
As the sun got lower on the horizon long shadows made for dramatic landscape photography. We had read the entrance to Lillooet was supposed to be spectacular and our timing was just perfect.
The mountain ridges near Lillooet, BC, Canada
Lillooet
Entering Lillooet was the highlight of this road trip. There are a few pullouts where you can stop and take in the view. The late afternoon sunlight was hitting the ridges from behind us and for a few moments as we chased the light we were in landscape photography heaven.
Mountain ridges near Lillooet, British Columbia
The Reynolds Hotel, Lillooet
We cannot praise the Reynolds Hotel enough. With newly renovated rooms and very friendly staff, all Covid-19 precautions had been made to make us feel welcome and safe.
We explored Lillooet in the morning, drove up and down Main Street, and saw the Old Bridge crossing on the Fraser River. With a fresh cup of Tim Horton’s coffee and tea, we headed out of town.
The Old Bridge in Lillooet crossing the Fraser River
The Long Way to Kamloops
We could have picked a shorter route to Kamloops but had never been through Logan Lake and thought we would give it a try.
The weather was overcast now and while it was interesting to see the landscape change from peaks and steep valleys to rolling hills and northern desert-like terrain the landscape photography opportunities were further between.
Di was studying the weather map and found out an unexpected storm was moving in from the west with snow expected later in the day, up to 15 cm in the passes. This threw a wrench into our plans.
The idea had been to stay in Kamloops overnight and then head home via the Fraser Canyon the following day. But the idea of a rainy day in Kamploos followed by a snowy drive back was not appealing. Plans were altered and instead, we decided to drive back to Vancouver shortening the road trip.
Road trip along Hwy 99 in British Columbia, Canada near Lillooet
The Cheese and Herring Hand Over
Dagny’s sister and brother-in-law, Denise and Darren, live in Kamloops and her mom lives in a laneway house on the same lot. We made a quick stop and had an outdoor visit in the backyard. We had coffee and some of us, excluding the driver, enjoyed a nice glass of Grand Marnier.
It was great to see everyone but also a tad somber realizing this is how we meet in the early spring of 2021, wearing masks, keeping it short, at a distance, and outside. As we handed over the cheese and herring our mission was completed and we bolted for Vancouver trying to avoid the storm.
We made it home safely and a few hours later confirmed via webcams that the heavy snowfall did indeed arrive.
Cheese and Herring exchange with our friends, Dagny and Philippe, in Kamloops
You can read the review of the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm lens here:
Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 - Review
5050 Travelog Destinations
All Travel Destinations
Europe
Southeast Asia
Middle East
Canada and USA
New Zealand
The photos in this article are made using a Fujifilm X-E4. Lenses - XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6, XF 35mm f/1.4 R, XF 23mm f/1.4 R , and XF 90mm f/2 R LM WR (links to my camera and lens reviews). Editing was done in Capture One Express and have used Fujifilm film simulations for some of the photos.
