Princeton will be celebrating BC's 150 with Heritage Week in August. This will be started by the Treasures of the Tulameen opening at the end of July and will include a Traditional Music Festival, a heritage car show, and a variety of other events. The stores in Town will all display heritage pictures and artefacts from the Princeton Museum and Archives and the Museum will have an audio-visual display depicting the Province's 150 years.
TREASURES OF THE TULAMEEN
Honouring the past…. Celebrating the present
On July 26, 2008 join us for the opening of many of our heritage trails that linked the Interior to the Coast by unveiling our new kiosk at Jacobson Lake. This is the start of the local celebrations commemorating BC's 150th Anniversary and will include a group on horseback making the long trip from Fort Langley over the mountain passes in time for the opening. The Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists will be leading a hike to the majestic Palmers Pond along the Hudson Bay Company Heritage Trail. Bring your hiking boots and a pack so you can join in the fun.
All of these trails and recreation sites can be reached by following Hwy 40 (Coalmont Rd) west of Princeton through the sleepy little town of Coalmont on to Tulameen. As you come into Tulameen turn left onto 2nd Street which forks into River Road and Lawless Creek Forest Service Road. Both of these roads will take you to Jacobson Lake. Follow the signs and drive with care as these are rough gravel roads and are very narrow in spots. DRIVE WITH YOUR LIGHTS ON AND WATCH FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAFFIC.
Access to all of the treasures below is from the Tulameen River Forest Service Road.
Hikes:
TULAMEEN FALLS: Moderate grade. 1 km trail into spectacular waterfall. Allow 1 hour for the 2 km return trip from 30.2 km. Short hike for a hot day. Swim in the crystal clear river pools or shower in the fall's cool mist. CAUTION: Two main water crossings, hike in low water season only.
VUICH HISTORIC TRAIL: Easy grade. 1 km return trip from Jacobson Lake Recreation Site (45.8 km). Short section of the original Tulameen Valley pack horse trail; Intersects with the Hudson Bay Company Trail and the Rice Historic Trail at the south end of Jacobson Lake.
RICE HISTORIC TRAIL: Moderate grade. 4 km return trip, allow 2 hours. Follow the old trail used by prospectors and trappers into lush grassy meadows dotted with tiny ponds. Starts from the Vuich Trail junction south of Jacobson Lake.
HUDSON BAY COMPANY HERITAGE TRAIL" WEST": Moderate grade. Discover the route used by the fur brigades from 1849-1860. From the Vuich Trail junction - 7.5 km return trip. Allow 2 hours to reach the pristine "Palmer Pond" at 1805 meters. Venture further and stand on the "Cascade Divide" at 1850 meters elevation.
GRANT POND TRAIL: Moderate grade. Explore the hunting grounds of legendary native hunter "Blackeyes". Trail forks off of the Hudson Bay Company Trail "West" at 2.5 km. 4 km return trip hike through sub alpine meadows along the base of Mt. Davis.
HUDSON BAY COMPANY HERITAGE TRAIL" EAST": Advanced Hiking. Challenge yourself to a backcountry camping experience. From the Vuich Trail junction, follow this heritage route over the Tulameen River, crossing at Horseguard Camp. Pass through the majestic mountain defiles and up onto the Tulameen Plateau where you join the Whatcom Trail heading to Lodestone Lake. Be prepared for over 20 km. (one way) of remote backcountry. No trace camping policy applies. Make sure to have topographical maps, compass and other tools necessary for wilderness hiking. Weather and trail conditions are ever changing. Be cautious of wild animals and store food and supplies safely.
Camping: - Interactive Map of Recreation Sites
VUICH RECREATION SITE: (34.4km) Forested three vehicle campsite with a nearby trail that views the cascading waters of Vuich Creek (33.9km).
SUTTER CREEK RECREATION SITE: (34.6 km) Serene three vehicle campsite perched on the high banks of Sutter Creek. Bright and open site nestled alongside a rushing mountain stream.
JACOBSON LAKE RECREATION SITE: (45.8km) Treed six vehicle site with horse corrals and additional vehicle parking for trail users. Trailhead for the "Treasures of the Tulameen" complete with information kiosk and map. Brochures will be available at this location.
