"Hidden Jewels of the Cariboo" Pavilion by Darby2

Pavilion Travel Guide: 8 reviews and 36 photos

The towering cliffs of Marble Canyon - Pavilion

Pavilion and Marble Canyon

The tiny hamlet of Pavilion lies in the most scenic setting imaginable...a crystal clear lake of transparent turquoise and colourful Marble Canyon whose walls rise nearly 3000 feet above it. It's somewhat desert-like around here with a few Ponderosa pines, junipers and sagebrush scattered along the hillsides. The whole area is described as a karst landscape.
Just south of Pavilion Lake are two smaller lakes or ponds, Turquoise Lake and Crown Lake. (visible in the lower part of the photo) There's a small campground at Crown Lake and it has a good stock of large rainbow trout as well.

Many log cabins and summer cottages line the shoreline here.

It's an easy drive through here. Just follow Highway 99 from the turnoff north of Cache Creek, and proceed west towards Lillooet and Whistler.

The lake has an excellent population of rather large rainbow trout. In addition, the lake has some unique geological features including ancient coral reef fossils. Read about it here

I'll be adding more pictures shortly. In the meanwhile, have a look at these historic pictures of the area

Aerial photos courtesy of Kat

To view the images of this area in full screen size, just click here:Hi-Res Images

A glimpse of an ancient sea floor??

Coral-like growths, Pavilion Lake

**Please note that Pavilion lake is a protected ecosystem and permission is required to take samples or dive on the site.

Nestled in a canyon between Lillooet and Cache Creek is Pavillion Lake, which contains mysterious underwater formations of coral-like structures, some of which are up to four metres high, up to 11,000 years old, and covered in mats of microscopic, sunlight-loving microbes. Teams of scientists from NASA, Simon Fraser University and Portland State University believe that the massive structures have been created by microbes and are not found anywhere else in the world. The Underwater Council of BC has applied to the province for their protection

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock, Marble Canyon

This spectacular pillar of rock rises several hundred feet out of the side of Marble Canyon.

I took this photo using the full 12x zoom of my new digital camera. Note the trees growing on the top of the rock formation...how they survive on the bare rock and how they got there is a mystery.

I have mapped the position in Google Earth® from where I took this photo.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Another one of B.C.s hidden wonders
In a nutshell:Worth the extra time to visit it and explore

Last visit to Pavilion: Apr 2007
Intro Updated Mar 9, 2008
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Reviews (9)

Harsh and forbidding landscape Warnings and Dangers (1)

Given the extreme karst topography of the Pavilion Mountain high country and Marble Canyon and the limestone... more travel advice

Coral-like formations in Pavilion Lake Things to Do (6)

These strange formations are unique to this lake, found nowhere else on earth. more travel advice

Red Rock Canyon (Slok Creek) Off The Beaten Path (2)

As you drive up the road near Fountain, you immediately notice this gash in the landscape across the Fraser River. The... more travel advice

Moran canyon, Fraser River Off The Beaten Path (2)

At one time ther were plans to put a huge dam on the Fraser at Moran. It would have wiped out the salmon that migrate up... more travel advice

Travelogues (3)

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Comments (7)

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hunterV Mar 9, 2008 at 4:37 AM

Hi, Dave! Everything looks and sounds so attracting! I wish I could visit the area, too!...
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craic Mar 5, 2008 at 4:37 AM

what a fascinating place!
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alza Feb 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM

Big country! Chimney Rock reminds me of the Wanamaker. Meant to say I did listen to Fox play Komm Susser Todd before. I just can't hear *him* talk.
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sourbugger Jun 3, 2007 at 12:45 PM

looks stuning. Real 'Of mice and men country ?'
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CdnJane Apr 18, 2007 at 5:32 AM

Dave, yet another fascinating page of photos of God's Country, off the beaten path. Your photography and info makes your pages wonderful to read. Thanks for sharing your Easter weekend.
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Katmosphere Feb 12, 2006 at 1:24 PM

well, no, but I had a good time :))
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pepples46 Aug 30, 2005 at 9:38 PM

the name, the name ..Pavilon caught my eye..and how beautiful it is here Dave..Mother Nature at its Best! tks for sharing