Lac La Hache to Cariboo, British Columbia – 10 June 2024
We spent Derek’s 63rd birthday in Quesnel, British Columbia at Ten Mile Lake Provincial Park. Quesnel is situated between Prince George and William’s Lake on the main route to northern BC and the Yukon.
The name “Quesnel” is derived from Jules-Maurice Quesnel, who accompanied Simon Fraser on his journey to the Pacific Ocean. The town was established during the Cariboo gold rush of 1862 and the nearby area of Barkerville, which we unfortunately didn’t have time to see, has been restored as a gold mining heritage site.
The main industries in Quesnel are lumber, farming, mining and a large plywood plant. After a bite to eat at Mike’s Steakhouse, we went for a walk around town and across the Fraser river walking bridge which was completed in 1929. At that time the bridge was open to automobiles, semi-tractor trailers, livestock, and pedestrians. Vehicles did not have a speed restriction, however horses were not to exceed walking pace (that sign is still posted.) This bridge is believed to be the longest wooden Howe Truss Bridge still in use.
