2018 4WDrive Overland SE - June
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Bralorne, an area that rolls off the<br />
tongue of any knowledgeable<br />
explorer of BC back roads, is a<br />
must see destination. However little is<br />
usually mentioned of the hidden gems you<br />
will find along the way. It was May Long<br />
weekend, and I had a dream destination,<br />
one that had been on my list for years.<br />
I left the lower mainland Saturday<br />
morning heading up the 180 km of the<br />
beautiful West Harrison FSR; this route<br />
is a great beginner off-road exploration<br />
opportunity. Nothing too challenging,<br />
however it will leave you breathless with<br />
mesmerizing waterfalls, hidden coves off<br />
trails along the lake, and the vast beauty of<br />
the mountains that embrace the waters. After<br />
a leisurely drive, and taking a few hundred<br />
pictures, I was nearing the Pemberton area<br />
as the sun was starting to set.<br />
The Hurley wasn’t open for the season,<br />
so I found a quiet camping spot a bit<br />
off the main road. The next morning I<br />
enjoyed spectacular mountain views as I<br />
drove one of my favourite paved scenic<br />
routes, the Duffy Road to Lillooet. I made<br />
my way to Horseshoe Canyon, stopping to<br />
grab a few geocaches along the way,<br />
The Horseshoe Canyon could easily be<br />
one of the 7 Wonders of British Columbia,<br />
there is nothing more calming then sitting<br />
on the edge of the precipice, looking down<br />
at the sandy cliffs that hold you up, and<br />
gazing over at the walls of the canyon<br />
surrounding you. Visible layers show the<br />
passage of time, displaying BC’s geological<br />
past in a single glimpse.<br />
The primary road from Lillooet to<br />
Bralorne is a scenic route that offers<br />
a unique half pavement, half off-road<br />
experience where you can see the ravages<br />
of past forest fires, the culture of the<br />
aboriginal peoples, with the option to<br />
explore many tougher side roads and<br />
offshoots leading to amazing vistas with a<br />
little bit of low-range use.<br />
Along the Carpenter Lake road, you<br />
have the opportunity to visit the historic<br />
sites that still remain since the flooding<br />
from the dam, including Minto Mine,<br />
located at the well-marked campsite on<br />
what used to be the town of Minto. I don’t<br />
recommend exploration of abandoned<br />
mines, however I could not resist grabbing<br />
www.youtube.com/c/4WDMagazine Special Edition 1 71
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