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Underground
Adventure on British Columbia's Sea to Sky Highway
Leaving Vancouver's North Shore via the "Upper Levels" you round the bend at Horseshoe Bay, where the BC ferry fleet departs for Nanaimo, the Adventure Islands and Sunshine Coast, then weave northward along the aptly-named Sea-to-Sky highway, to Whistler and points beyond. Those who marvel at history and man's ingenuity will discover a real treasure at Britannia Beach, a few scenic miles along the cliff-hugging route. Here on the shores of Howe Sound, British Columbia's mining heritage is preserved intact at the Britannia Copper Mine, which served world markets from 1888 to the 1970s. Survivor of fire, flood and avalanche, this hardy community harbors a national treasure, and has become a favorite location for major motion pictures. In a word - awesome! Little wonder most motorists make an abrupt stop for a close encounter, many staying for several hours of fun and exploration. For history buffs like me, the BC. Museum of Mining and adjacent area is a destination all by itself. In the boom days of the 1920s and '30s, Britannia was the largest producer of copper ore in the British Empire- a jewel in her imperial crown. Today, it's a National Historic Site destined to become a world-class venue for mining, geology and social history, thanks to a recent restoration program.' Looming like a centurion at the entrance is a mammoth 235-ton Wabco "Super Truck" - part of a fleet which revolutionized low-grade mining worldwide. Guided tours begin with "The Britannia Story," featured in rock displays, ore samples, realistic models, maps, drawings, documents and artifacts. Along with the dramatic portrayal of hard-rock mining and other methods used in the province, you get a feeling for the human side of the industry, reflected in the life and times of workers and families. Displays on two other levels present an overview of British Columbia's rich mining heritage, plus a showcase on Craigmont, a copper mine in central BC. near Smithers. While the dominant physical feature at Britannia Beach is the mine's enormous concentrator building, which sprawls for eight levels up the cliff side, the true highlight is your journey underground . The mine train (which once toted its own privy) takes your group into the mountainside where you'll witness the "tried and true," as well as more current methods of drilling, blasting, mucking, sluicing and rock stabilization. Emerging from the mine, you'll have a close-up look inside the immense gravity-fed concentrator - a spectacular sight, and a regional landmark for more than 75 years. During peak operations, this monstrous complex processed more than 7,000 tons of ore daily, and is the only facility of its kind in North America still accessible to the public. At the "Mining House", where all tours begin and end, you'll be treated to a "magic lantern" show - a slide presentation which traces Britannia's colorful history, recapping your experience inside the heart of Mt. Sheer. A walking tour includes the Assay Office, containing a variety of rock creations donated for auction this fall. Across the way stands the "Ritz Hotel" and assorted mine buildings under restoration. As a token of your visit, the museum offers complimentary drill core samples, many of which date prior to the first world war. Later you can try gold panning. The BC Museum of Mining is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Wednesdays through Sundays and legal holidays - from May until October. Britannia Beach is 45 minutes from Vancouver, and is served by Maverick Coach Lines (5 times daily) and by BC Rail. During tourist season, there's a likely chance you'll spot BC's most famous locomotive - The Royal Hudson, an elegant steam train, which connects with the tour ship Britannia for an exciting day trip from Vancouver to nearby Squamish. Another reminder of an earlier era at Britannia's dockside was the SS Prince George, once a proud member of Canadian National's Alaska fleet. Part of the "Britannia Opportunity" plan, is a pocket cruise dock, public pier and marina, along with an integrated transportation depot. The community features craft shops, an impressive live-action display of native Indian stone sculpture and several dining spots. We enjoyed a grand home-cooked meal recently, topped by a miner's sized slab of lemon meringue pie at the Tea Shop, a cozy corner of Canadiana. BC. Museum of Mining, Box 188, Britannia Beach, BC VON 1JO. phone(604) 688-8735., fax (604) 892-9152 etails, contact Barbara Lawrence: 360.435.5857 (http://www.nweaa.org). In the 1850s, BC's Gold Rush drew prospectors from around the world, most of whom made their way by various forms of conveyance, up the Mighty Fraser, from its mouth near Sea Island (Richmond) to the head of navigation at Yale. North of Hope, the is a rugged stretch or road and trail that hugs the shoulders of the Fraser Canyon, as down below, the foamy white rapids churn and roar. Places to visit along the way include Hope, Hell's Gate with its famous Air Tram, Spuzzum, Boston Bar, Lytton, Lillooet (original Mile 0 of the Cariboo Trail) and a string of frontier towns. We visited the historic Fraser Canyon again this summer , heading west from Merrit to Spence's Bridge, and took the time to truly appreciate the awesome scenery. You can see how challenging it was for the gold prospectors in their difficult quest. This route between Hope and Cache Creek is a 'great drive' experience you'll never forget, with its sharp turns, railway tunnels, historic sites and exciting view points. So take your time, and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers. They were blooming on every hillside on our last trip. Legend of the
Sasquatch TRAIL MAPS: The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC publishes a series of maps of recreational areas, including Mighty Fraser Country. These maps show many of the back roads and trails, and contain information on a variety of recreational pursuits in BC They may be purchased at many sporting goods stores and bookstores, or by contacting: Outdoor Recreation Council of BC Ste. 334 - 1367 West
Broadway \Attention
Musuem Operators and Members. Send us information on your museum or historic site and a link. |
On
the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler-Blackcomb,
North America's top ski destination resort, there are many
unique tourist attractions. One that stands out in my mind,
is the museum at Britannia Beach- a salute to British
Columbia's Mining industry and those who made their living
underground. Leaving Vancouver's
North Shore via the "Upper Levels" you round the bend at
Horseshoe Bay, where the BC ferry fleet departs for Nanaimo,
the Adventure Islands and Sunshine Coast, then weave
northward along the aptly-named Sea-to-Sky highway, to
Whistler and points beyond.