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D'Arcy
D'Arcy is located 42 km (26 miles) north-east of Pemberton
near the mouth of the Gates River at the head of Anderson Lake about
197 km (123 miles) from Vancouver.
'Lakes
Route'
D'Arcy was originally established as Port Anderson during the gold
rush era of 1858-1859 as a terminus for travelling into the Fraser
River Canyon. Port Anderson was part of a river-lake portage called
the 'Lakes Route' that included taking a boat or steamer along Anderson
Lake into Cayoosh Flat - the present day Lillooet.
Pacific
Great Eastern Railway
Later Port Anderson changed to D'Arcy when it became a passenger
stop along the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (P.G.E.). D'Arcy is
named after D'Arcy Tate who served as the vice-president and general
counsel of the P.G.E. from 1912-1918.
Mount
Currie
To get to D'Arcy travel north-east from Pemberton
to Mount Currie on the 'Sea to Sky' Hwy 99. At Mount
Currie turn off Hwy 99 on to Portage Road and travel north for
approximately 34 km (21 miles) to D'Arcy.
N'Quatqua
First Nation
The area along Anderson Lake and D'Arcy is the traditional home
of the N'Quatqua First Nation. An affiliate of the Lower Stl'atl'imx
Tribal Council, the N'Quatqua First Nation have fished and hunted
these lands along Anderson Lake for thousands of years.
Local
Business and Services
The N'Quatqua First Nation operates most of the local businesses
and services found around D'Arcy. Situated near Anderson Lake by
D'Arcy you can find the N'Quatqua Central Service Station which
features fuel and a local convenience store, the N'Quatqua Health
and Social Development Building, the N'Quatqua Child and Family
Development Building and the Community Hall.
Anderson
Lake Fish Hatchery
The Anderson Lake Fish Hatchery and spawning channel is also located
in Devine near D'Arcy. The facility specializes in the release of
Sockeye Salmon and enhancing Kokanee in Gates River and into Anderson
Lake. You can view this amazing spectacle, between mid-August to
mid-September when the Sockeye return.
Heritage
Beach
Heritage Park is located right at Anderson Lake. The small park
features a small raft, boat launch, tables, a small sandy beach
and a beautiful view of Anderson Lake. From Heritage Beach, you
can get some great photos of the majestic mountains and unique colour
of the lake.
Birkenhead
Lake Provincial Park
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park is located about 22 km (14 miles)
west of D'Arcy back towards Mount Currie
on Portage Road. To get to the park there is a 17 km (11 miles)
Blackwater Forest Service Road that you have to take off the Portage
Road. Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park features a campground, a swimming
area, boat launch and a hiking or mountainbike trail along the west
side of Birkenhead Lake.
Red
Barn Campground and Café
If you would rather stay near D'Arcy, there is the Red Barn Campground
and Café. Operated by the N'Quatqua First Nation the Red
Barn features large waterfront campsites, café, boat launch,
propane and is close to Gates River and the Anderson Lake Fish Hatchery.
Practice
Safe Procedures
Just a reminder that there are black bears, grizzly bears and cougars
living in all of BC and the D'Arcy area is no exception. Please
practice proper bear and wildlife safe procedures when you are enjoying
the beautiful countryside or hiking in the mountains. Also remember
to be prepared for possible changes in the weather.
High-Line
Road
D'Arcy sits at the end of the Portage Road. There is a rough 33
km (21 mile) gravel 4x4 summer-only route called the Highline Road
that eventually goes to Seton
Portage. If you want to continue on to Lillooet,
you have to go back to Mount Currie
and take Hwy 99 (Duffy Lake Road). For more information on Driving
and Travelling on BC Highways.
McGillivray
Falls
If you do take the Highline Road, at around 12 km (7.5 miles) you'll
arrive at the old train stop of McGillivray Falls. McGillivray Falls
is the site of a W.W.II relocation centre for Japanese-Canadians,
the old McGillivray Falls Resort and the access point to the trail
over McGillivray Pass takes you all the way to Bralorne
and Gold
Bridge and the Bridge River Valley.
Whispering
Falls Resort
You can find lakefront cabins on beautiful Gates Lake at the Whispering
Falls Resort. Gates Lake features decent angling opportunities for
some Cutthroat Trout, Dolly Varden, Kokanee and Rainbow Trout. Whispering
Falls Resort has some camping and seasonal hook-ups available.
- Telephone:
(604) 452-3363
N'Quatqua
97.5 FM
When travelling along Portage Road from Mount
Currie, try and listen to Canada's First Nations' Broadcasting.
The station is located at 97.5 FM on your receiver. The frequency
comes in better as you reach Gates Lake coming north on Portage
Road.
Information
on D'Arcy
First
Nations
Recreation
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