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Hedley
Hedley is located 35 km (22 miles) east
of Princeton on the Crowsnest Hwy 3.
Hedley has been around since gold was discovered in 1898.
Nickel
Plate Mountain
The famous Mascot Mine located on Nickel Plate Mountain has been
operating in one form or another since then, yielding large amounts
of gold, copper and silver up until 1955.
Finally
Closed
Further attempts have previously been made by Homestake's Nickel-Plate
Gold and Silver Mine operating between 1988 to 1996 but, because
of the low-quality ore and high cost, the mine finally closed
Eco-Tourism
Hedley now serves as a base for an eco-tourism industry that operates
along the Similkameen River, First Nations Lands and the historic
mine located on the cliffside.
Mining
Museum
Hedley is a very small community with limited facilities but has
some interesting things for you to view and visit. There is a very
interesting mining museum located right in town. You'll marvel at
the old mining photos that are placed on the walls as you make the
tour. There is lots of antique equipment for you to see.
Mountain
Goats
From the museum there are some great views of the cliffside from
which Mascot Mine operated. Make sure you look closely for the various
mountain goats and sheep that make the steep terrain of Nickel Plate
Mountain home.
Hedley
Businesses
Close by the museum in town is a heritage building operating as
a Bed and Breakfast. Other businesses include a funky restaurant,
a gas station and a small store.
Colonial
Inn
Located on the east side of town are the heritage buildings of the
Colonial Inn. Very rich in history, the Colonial Inn was once the
original guesthouse of the Nickel Plate Mine.
Gold
Dust Pub
Another building worth visiting is the Gold Dust Pub - one of the
original saloons located on the banks of the Similkameen River.
Mascot
Mine
For walks there is a trail that goes up to the old Mascot mineshaft.
Be careful as the terrain has some loose rocks and steep terrain
and the odd rattlesnake. Look for the power line that goes up the
mountain and walk around the old Mascot Mine - a slowly disappearing
landmark. There is evidence of the old mine shaft that goes down
into the bowels of Nickel Plate Mountain.
Abandoned
BC: Mascot Gold Mine
Life of Luke tour of the Mascot Mine - YouTube. Excellent drone
footage of the mine perched on the side of the mountain overlooking
Hedley.
Bromley
Rock Swimming Hole
Bromley
Rock swimming hole situated on the Similkameen River in
the Bromley
Rock Provincial Park makes a great spot to cool off for the
kids during the summer from that likely hot drive. If you enjoy
swimming and tubing all day long this swimming hole makes a great
spot with a beautiful white sandy beach present.
Local
Trails
If you enjoy mountain biking, there are some local trails that head
up into the mountains and go along historic mining roads.
Self-guided
walking tour
There is also a self-guided walking tour that takes you throughout
the town to view all the historic buildings. Please check at the
Hedley Heritage Museum for the local pamphlet and guide for the
area.
Bed
& Breakfast and Accommodation
Hedley, considering its size, has a few good Bed & Breakfast
places from which to choose. There are a couple of B&B's that
are located in historic Victorian-style homes and are quite grand.
For motel accommodation there is the town of Keremeos located just
close by that has a few more options.
RV
Camping
For campers and RVer's, there are Bromley Rock Provincial Park and
Stemwinder Provincial Park plus Nendick's RV Campground and Gold
Mountain RV Park on Hwy 3 towards Princeton and the Forest Service
Recreation Sites are located on the old Hedley-Princeton Road.
Hedley
Stamp Mill Days
For cultural events make sure you make the annual Hedley Stamp Mill
Days event that happens in May. This event is a lot of fun for the
whole family complete with pancake breakfast and parade through
Hedley.
Information
on Hedley
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