Hope

A mountain paradise

The town of Hope offers the chance for many rewarding experiences

by Kirsten Armleder

Hope is a picturesque town perched on the banks of the Fraser and Coquihalla rivers. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Cascade and coastal mountains, the community caters to outdoor enthusiasts.

Life Is But A Dream: Paddlers enjoy canoeing on the Fraser River in and around Hope.—Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning photo

Mountain biking and hiking are popular activities for locals and visitors alike. The area is filled with dozens of scenic logging roads and alpine trails. For a trip you won’t soon forget, explore a trail through the Othello-Quintette Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. This route follows the path of the original Kettle Valley Railway and it provides access to a stunning canyon gorge. Trail users who are familiar with the movie Rambo—First Blood, starring Sylvester Stallone, may recognize this area as it was the shooting location for this film and other Hollywood productions.

North of Hope is the world-famous Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon; here, 800 million litres of the Fraser River thunders through a 34-metre passage. Tourists can experience the power of Hell’s Gate by taking an airtram ride over the gorge to the fudge factory, gift shop, fisheries exhibit and cafe on the other side. Ghost tours and gold panning are also offered.

Another natural attraction is located approximately 18 kilometres east of Hope. Recorded as one of the largest landslides in western Canada, Hope’s Slide occurred on January 9, 1965, when Johnson Peak crumbled and spread millions of cubic metres of rock and debris over the Hope-Princeton highway.

For a gentler experience, Hope offers excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities on Kawkawa Lake, Lake of the Woods, Silver Lake and Harrison Lake. Avid anglers may want to bring their fishing poles as the water bodies in and around Hope are home to trout, steelhead, salmon and sturgeon.

If you are planning to visit Hope, be sure to incorporate Brigade Days in your list of things to do. This community celebration—usually held during the first weekend in September—features family-friendly events, a demolition derby, logger sports and other fun activities.

For more information about Hope and beyond, contact the Hope Visitor Centre & Museum Complex at (604) 869-2021 or e-mail destinationhope@telus.net.

RESOURCES: www.hopebc.ca • www.hope.ca • www.hopechamber.bc.ca • www.fraserraft.com • www.hopemountain.org

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