The pristine water of this gorgeous alpine lake as it appears from the bluff overlooking the campsite. The mountains in the background rise to about 8,500 feet. Beyond them, is
Mount Waddington, at 13,186 feet, (4019 meters) the highest mountain in British Columbia's Coast Range.
The lake is about 85 km long, up to 5 km wide and has a maximum depth of more than 1200 feet, making it one of the deepest lakes in the province. Only Quesnel lake is deeper, 610 meters or about 2000 feet.
Despite it's relative proximity (200 km) to Vancouver it doesn't get many visitors. It's more an accessibility problem than a distance problem. To reach the lake by road from Vancouver requires a drive of at least 9 hours. Take the Trans Canada Highway to Cache Creek, then follow the Cariboo Highway 97 to Williams Lake. From there, turn off on Highway 20 (the Freedom Road, or Bella Coola highway) as far as Lees Corner ( Hanceville). From there, it's about a 90 minute drive. Alternate route is to continue as far as Tatla Lake turnoff, then proceed south for about 45 km on the Tatlyoko Lake road.
I'm planning a return visit here in June 2007.
Here is a
link to a map of the area with information on other lakes and attractions.
Master aerial photographer
Russ Heinl has captured the essence of the Chilcotin with his gallery of outstanding images taken from helicopter.
Aerial photographer Kat Kam and pilot Randall G. have just taken a marvellous series of aerial photos of the
Chilko Lake area in the fall of 2006. The assoctiated map shows their route through the mountains and valleys. You can recognize a few of the landmarks:
The Bear site with Duff IslandFranklin ArmChilko Lake Lodge and landing stripTsuniah Lake This is a satellite view of the area around Duff Island ( you can zoom in and out)
Writer
Rich Hobson immortalized the area with his books: Grass Beyond The Mountains, The Rancher Takes a Wife, and Nothing too Good for A Cowboy