I love Telegraph Creek !

Day 5, Saturday May 28, 2011

            After having listened to heavy rain during the night, we rise early for our back road adventure to Telegraph Creek was the first road built into this remote area in 1922.  The settlement grew with the discovery of gold on the Stikine Rive in 1861.  Efforts to build a transatlantic telegraph line also brought attention to this area in the 1860’s.  The Cassiar and the Klondike gold rushes both contributed to the growth in this area.  This valley is the domain of the Tahltan people.    The road is 112 kilometres of gravel one way.  We leave the trailer in the campground and head off.   Early into our travels we come across two bears but both are spooked by our presence and head for the woods quickly.   About half way point we stop to walk a short trail for excellent views of Mount Edziza, which is snow covered peak.  Three quarter of the way the road narrows dramatically.  The rain from the night before has made the road slick and muddy.  There are three steep grades, two  18% and one 20%...  this drive is not for the weak at heart, but the views are well worth it.   We stop for a short walk across lava beds and have excellent views of the grand canyon of the Stikine and Tahltan Canyon.   At its narrowest part the Stikine River Canyon is only 2.4 m wide.  We cross the single lane Tahltan River bridge and see traditional communal native smokehouses, that still operate and sell fresh and smoked fish ( in season).  

   We arrive at Telegraph Creek (pop 350 really?  )   The town is located on a steep hill side near the river, the homes are mostly original construction and the town has not changed much since original construction around 1930’s. The historic St. Aidan’s Anglican Church has service “occasionally”.  

We finally found our dream home !

 The general store, cafe, general store is operated by a young man who was headed out for some fishing when he spotted us and drove back to see if he could offer us some breakfast.   We regretfully decline and head back to Dease Lake.  We enjoy magnificent scenery along the way and even spot a couple of bears.   Wow what a drive that was, the truck is caked in mud and the camera battery is dead from all the pictures I took.

telegraph Road

Tico checking out a piece of jade rock.

            We continue north along hwy 37, now with trailer in tow.   As we enter the Cassiar mountain range we are in awe of its beauty.  We stop at Jade City.  This area supplies 90 % of the worlds jade.  

We camp for the night at Boya Lake Provincial Park and have the good fortune to get a spot on the lake. 

Boya Lake

Breathe taking, the calm shallow lake mirrors the snow capped Cassiar mountains.  It is warm, around 22 degrees, and we enjoy some home made venison sausages grilled on the wood fire.  Wow what a day it has been!