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Yale
Yale is located 26 km (16 miles) north of Hope
and 82 km (51 miles) south of Lytton on
the Trans-Canada Hwy 1. Yale is situated along side the Fraser River
near the start of the Fraser Canyon.
Gold
Rush Era
In 1848 Yale became a Hudson's Bay Fort and was the end of the line
for the Fraser River sternwheelers delivering men and supplies during
the gold rush era of the late 1800's. With the discovery of gold
Yale became a destination point for gold seekers and the population
grew to 30,000 in 1858.
Barnard's
Express & Stage Lines
Known as the BX, the Barnard Express & Stage Lines operated
the longest stage line run in North America. The BX delivered people
and mail for twenty years between Yale and the Cariboo gold fields,
a total distance of 380 miles along the famous Cariboo Wagon Road.
BC
Express Co.
With the construction of CPR through the Fraser Canyon the stage
line road was destroyed in the Fraser Canyon. The BX then moved
from Yale and became the BC Express Co. and operated from Ashcroft
to the Cariboo up until 1915.
Yale
Museum
As you're travel through Yale on the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 take notice
of the Yale Museum which is housed in a 1868 heritage home overlooking
the Fraser River. The museum contains lots of important artifacts
from Yale's historic past. You can find the parking lot in behind
the museum on a street beside Trans-Canada Hwy 1.
Trans-Canada Hwy 1
There are few businesses in Yale mostly located on the Trans-Canada
Hwy 1 frontage road. Yale has a gas station, convenience store and
some relic buildings from the past. Most of the residents live either
quite close to the Fraser River or near the Canadian Pacific Railway
lines.
Church
of St. John the Divine
One of the oldest churches in British Columbia, built in 1863, Church
of St. John the Divine is right near the Yale Museum. This church
and the architecture plus the country garden are absolutely beautiful.
Pioneer
Cemetery
The Pioneer Cemetery is located south of Yale just 10 minutes away.
Overlooking the Fraser River here you can find some very old headstones
some dating back to 1862. During Saturday evenings throughout August
volunteers from the Yale Museum offer guided lantern tours of the
Pioneer Cemetery.
Spirit
Caves Trail
Just across from the Pioneer museum is the Spirit Caves Trail. This
5 km (3 miles) medium to strenuous hike takes you up to a point
where there is a spectacular viewpoint towards Yale and the Fraser
River.
Steep
Switchback Trail
You can expect to take around 3 hours round trip on this steep switchback
trail. Just remember usually in the spring there are ticks present
so please dress accordingly. There are caves present at the summit
but the entrance is well hidden with a large pile of boulders
Events
in Yale
Some other events in Yale that you might consider looking at are:
'Fastest Guns in the West' a draw competition in mid-August put
on by the Yale Museum (604) 863-2324; Then later in mid-September
the Fraser River Barrel Race organized by the Heritage Historical
Tours in Yale. (604) 863-2324
Fraser
River Rafting
There is some access to the Fraser River at Yale if you want to
get out on the river. For people who enjoy river rafting Fraser
River Raft Expeditions is set up in Yale to take you through some
wild whitewater experiences.
Alexandra
Bridge Provincial Park
If you feel like a short walk and a view into British Columbia's
past visit the Alexandria Bridge located just 22 km (14 miles) north
Yale on Trans-Canada Hwy 1. Situated in Alexandra
Bridge Provincial Park is the site of a suspension bridge built
in 1925 to cross the Fraser River.
Travelling
North
If you are travelling north from Yale towards Boston
Bar you will be in for some excitement. This is the section
of Trans-Canada Hwy 1 goes through the scenic Fraser River Canyon.
The road has some very panoramic views and travels through seven
tunnels in-between Yale and Boston Bar.
Tunnel
Facts
The seven tunnels are drilled through solid rock and go in order
and length travelling from Yale to Boston
Bar: Yale Tunnel, 286 metres (938 feet); Saddle Rock Tunnel,
146 metres (479 feet); Sailor Bar 292 metres (958 feet); Alexandra
Tunnel, 290 metre (951 feet); Hell's Gate 100 metres (328 feet);
Ferrabee Tunnels 100 metres (328 feet); China Bar Tunnel 610 metre
(2001 feet).
Hells
Gate Airtram
As you do go through the tunnels after Alexandra Tunnel look for
the sign for Hells Gate Airtram. This Airtram takes you down into
a chasm where the Fraser River flows through a very impressive gorge
called Hells Gate. Watch the spawning salmon fight they're way through
the canyon as they spawn up Fraser River.
Information
on Yale
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