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Gold
Bridge-Bridge River Valley
Gold Bridge is located 100 km (62 miles) west of Lillooet
on the Bridge River Road towards Carpenter Lake. Very rich in mining
exploration, Gold Bridge and the Bridge River Valley are now part
of an electrical complex operated by BC Hydro.
Three
Dams
This generation system called the the Bridge
River Complex encompasses three dams with water reservoirs for
four generating stations for a capacity of 492 megawatts, or 6 to
8 per cent of BC Hydro's electrical capabilities.
Bridge
River Valley
The roads into Bridge River Valley are very beautiful with panoramic
views of the various lakes and valleys in all directions. Going
into Gold Bridge from Lillooet the road
called Hwy 40 follows the lakeshore of Carpenter Lake and is made
up of approximately 50% pavement/50% gravel base.
Mountain
Views
Trucks are preferred but if you have a car just take your time -
it will make it. Most of the lakes are glacial filled, quite cold
and have a vivid aqua blue that is quite stunning with the mountains
views behind.
Gun
Lake
At Gold Bridge, take the time to go up and hike around and explore
Gun Lake. You will be amazed by the semi-arid climate and conditions
that surround this pristine area.
Fishing
and Hunting
The fishing and hunting are equally as good with Gun Lake supporting
a large animal population. If you're a hiker there are a few trails
in the area; please check at the local Tourist Info Centre in Gold
Bridge for free maps and information.
BC
Hydro's Bridge River Complex
Originally built by the BC Electric Company in 1927 to supply Vancouver
with power, the Bridge River Complex was finally completed in 1960.
The electrical scheme used by BC Hydro is to use the Bridge River
three times in succession as it flows from the Coast Mountains eastward
to the Fraser River.
The
Final Result
The final result: Downton Lake and La Joie Dam with a 24 MW generating
station near Bralorne, Carpenter Lake with the Terzaghi Dam on the
Bridge River, large diversion tunnels and penstocks to the 42 MW
Seton generating station on Seton Lake, then near Lillooet
the Seton Powerhouse with the water discharging into the Fraser
River.
Free
Tours of La Joie Dam
To fully understand this engineering project, visit La Joie dam
firsthand. During the summer BC Hydro, with co-operation from the
Bridge River Valley Economic Development, has free tours of La Joie.
The BRVED also gives free tours of the local museum, church and
the historic Bralorne Pioneer Mining operation.
Unbelievable
Snowmobiling at 2,438 M (8,000 Ft)
For recreation the area presents some excellent outdoor pursuits
that include fishing, unbelievable snowmobiling to elevations that
reach up to 2,438 metres (8,000 feet) alpine level, hiking and mountain
biking everywhere, cross-country skiing and great hunting. If you
like heli-skiing think about looking at this area, TLH Heliskiing
operates locally.
RV
and Rustic Camping
If you're thinking of camping, BC Hydro has a number of excellent
facilities especially the one on Carpenter Lake. Otherwise there
are some great areas around Tyaughton Lake at Tyax Mountain Resort
or more remote sites such as Kingdom Lake which features a rustic
FSR campsite.
Going
to Whistler?
If you are planning on going to Whistler the Hurley River Forest
Service goes through to Pemberton
but only with certain conditions. You will require a 4x4 vehicle
and be familiar with backcountry conditions. This road can also
be very rough and is summer only.
Check
Local Conditions
Please also check with local condition reports before attempting.
The upside, this route is very beautiful as it goes over the Hurley
River Forest Service Road and through a beautiful mountain pass
down to the Lillooet River near Pemberton.
Duffy
Lake Road
If you would still like to go either to or from Whistler, the only
other way is to take Hwy 99 - the Duffy Lake Road, which is open
all year, goes through Lillooet and the
First Nation settlement of Mt Currie.
Shalalth
to Whistler Route
As you travel along the north end of Carpenter Lake there is a turnoff
to the small first nation community of Shalalth. Situated on the
west end of Seton Lake, Shalalth takes you to Seton
Portage and gives access to Anderson Lake.
Anderson
Lake
Here you will find a 4x4 road that runs the length of Anderson Lake
taking you to and from Whistler. It is a summer-only road that follows
the lake down the power line along the CN tracks. The road goes
through D'Arcy, Birken,
Mount Currie and Pemberton
is situated on the west end of Anderson Lake.
Gold
Bridge-Bridge River Links
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