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Omineca or "North by Northwest", was once the home of a vast fur trading empire. North by Northwest is a truly exceptional place. In this land of majestic fjords and snowcapped mountain ranges, you can be in absolute wilderness at one moment and enjoy an elegant dinner in the center of town just an hour later.
Explore the silent, primordial rainforests on the Queen Charlotte Islands or experience adventure along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, gateway to Alaska and the Yukon. The Lakes District stretching from Ootsa Lake in the south to Babine Lake in the north (100 km or 62 mile radius), is situated between the Fraser and Skeena River watersheds. There are over 300 lakes providing good fishing for some of the largest rainbow trout and char in the province as well as excellent canoeing, kayaking and hiking. Access to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is from Burns Lake and Smithers (floatplane) or Ootsa Lake (boat), as there is no road access. Visitors must enter the park on foot, by water, or air. The wilderness of Tweedsmuir Park is very attractive for some, while others prefer rockhunting for opals and agate found in the Eagle Creek Deposits Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is one of the largest in B.C., encompassing more than 981,000 hectares in the west-central part of the province. The Ootsa-Whitesail Lakes Reservoir is to the north and northwest, the Coast Mountains to the west and southwest and to the east is the Interior Plateau. The Dean River is the natural dividing line between the north and south regions of the park. Mountain goats, mule deer, moose, bear and wolves are resident in the forest of lodgepole pine, white spruce and Engelmann fir. The park's lakes and rivers are home to fish such as mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, kokanee and burbot. Boating, angling, camping, hiking, hunting and horseback riding are just some of the features that bring visitors to the park. Water access from the Ootsa-Whitesail Lake Reservoir is the most popular method of entry to the park. Boat launches are accessible by roads from the communities of Vanderhoof, Burns Lake and Houston. Charter float planes are available from Smithers and Burns Lake. Even though this is a remote area, you can reach "civilization" pretty fast, and also the next airport for your travels. To the east, Tweedsmuir Park borders the nature reserve Kitlope. It encompasses the largest intact rainforest with a coastal climate in the world, with trees more than 800 years old. So, this region offers something for everyone - and whoever has been here will know how lucky one can be to live here! |
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Burns Lake, the "Heart of the Lakes District", is located on the shores of Burns Lake and is a year round destination. The economic mainstay of this community includes logging, farming and tourism. The construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway 1908 - 1914 brought settlers to this now supply centre for the Lakes District. Visit the Lakes District Museum and its logging exhibits. Burns Lake is located on the Yellowhead Highway 225 km (140 miles) west of Prince George.
It's 60 miles from Ootsa Lake Ranch to Burns Lake and 35 miles from Binta Lake Farm if one uses the Francois Lake ferry in Southbank. The ferry leaves every hour and is free. The population is 2,146 and of the surrounding area 8,500. The climate in the summer averages 16C., in the winter minus 10C. Precipitation is 45.7 cm/yr. Grassy Plains, a small village, from Ootsa Lake Ranch some 40 minutes on the way to the ferry, has various shops, gas station, a garage and a primary/secondary school with a school bus to the ranch. 45 minutes from the Ranch in direction of the ferry is the small village of Takysie Lake which has a small shop, a post office and gas station. Fraser Lake is a small village some 87 miles northeast of Ootsa Lake Ranch and 35 miles northeast from Binta Lake Farm on the Yellowhead Highway. It has grocery stores, schools, a hospital, doctors, banks, motels, restaurants, gas stations and garages. Prince George (appr. 80.000 inhabitants, 190 miles east of Ootsa Lake Ranch and 130 miles northeast of Binta Lake Farm) is the largest service centre in the northern part of British Columbia. It is perfectly situated at the crossroads of two major highways and two railways. Once a fur trading fort, Prince George now has all the modern amenities amidst a sea of natural attractions that entice visitors from around the world. As well as serving the north as an economic centre, Prince George is also home to Canada's newest university, the University of Northern British Columbia, providing students from northern B.C. with more educational opportunities. Prince George (3 1/4 hours drive from Ootsa Lake Ranch and 2 3/4 hours from Binta Lake Farm) has the largest airport in the area with several flights daily to Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and other Canadien cities. Smithers ( 2 1/2 hours and appr. 130 miles northwest from Ootsa Lake Ranch and Binta Lake Farm) - The "Town for All Seasons" (population approximately 5.000) is set in the Bulkley Valley like a little town in the Alps. The surrounding mountains provide the backdrop for the downtown alpine decorations while also providing mountain lakes, rivers and waterfalls for the adventurous to experience and explore. The spring and summer months lure the outdoor adventurer to the surrounding mountains to see nearby glaciers, hike or horseback ride the alpine meadows. The fossil formations at Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park are a haven for the rock hound. Area lodges cater to those who are keen for fishing, wildlife watching, canoeing or even photo safaris. Fall lures the hunters and fishers, while the majestic changing colours of our Indian Summer are a magnet for the avid photographer. Dog sledding, cross country and down hill skiing plus snowmobiling are there for those who enjoy winter activities. Smithers offers one of the two best skiing areas in B.C., besides Whistler. Smithers also boasts a colourful history; once the divisional headquarters of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, the era can be relived at the Bulkley Valley Museum. The local wildlife museum and fish hatchery encourages a closer look at the regions natural inhabitants. No matter what the season, Smithers offers a smorgasbord of activities guaranteed to whet the appetite of the explorer, thrill seeker or romantic. Smithers has another major airport with several flights daily to Vancouver. |
