CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 567

most mouthwatering baked goods in the province; stagecoach rides ($7); the chance to try
your hand at gold-panning ($8); and the musical comedy performances at the Theatre Roy-
al, presented 2-3 times daily ($15-18).
You can spend the night in one of two historic buildings within the town. Inside and out,
Kelly House (250/994-3328 or 866/994-0004, www.kellyhouse.ca , $105 s or d shared bath,
$135 en suite) fits the heritage theme of Barkerville. Rates include a cooked breakfast that
may include delightful apple pancakes topped with real cream. More upscale, the 1898 St.
George Hotel (250/994-0008 or 888/246-7690, www.stgeorgehotel.bc.ca , $120-140 s or d
including breakfast) has been fully restored and offers seven guest rooms, some of which
share bathrooms; all are tastefully furnished with comfortable beds and authentic antiques.
The pick of three Barkerville campgrounds (250/994-3297,
www.barkervillecampgrounds.ca , mid-June-Sept., $20-30) is Lowhee Campground, with
showers and a playground. Forest Rose also has shower facilities. Government Hill
Campground is closest to the historic site, but as all three campgrounds are within walking
distance, this is of little consequence. It's also the most rustic, with pit toilets and no
showers.
MM BOWRON LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
Best known for the Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit, Bowron Lake Provincial Park encom-
passes 149,207 hectares (386,700 acres) of magnificent forests, lakes, and rivers in the Cari-
boo Mountains. To get there, take Highway 26 east of Quesnel toward Barkerville, but just
past Wells take a signposted gravel road to the north.
The park boundary follows a chain of six major lakes—Indianpoint, Isaac, Lanezi,
Sandy, Spectacle, and Bowron—and some smaller lakes and waterways that, roughly, form
a diamond-shaped circuit. Campsites, cabins, and cooking shelters are strategically spaced
along the way. To circumnavigate the entire 116-kilometer (72-mile) route takes 6-10 days
of paddling and requires seven portages, the most difficult being a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile)
uphill hike at the very start. As well as being proficient in the use of canoes, those at-
tempting the route should be well prepared for backcountry travel and wet weather. July
and August are the most popular months; try to avoid departing on a weekend if you like
solitude. September is one of the most colorful months, with lakeside trees in their fall col-
ors.
Both the lodges detailed below rent canoes and camping equipment (from $190 for an
eight-day canoe rental) and offer complete canoe circuit packages, inclusive of accommod-
ation upon completion of your trip.