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Alice
Arm - Kitsault
Alice Arm and Kitsault are located in the north-west corner of British
Columbia 116 km (72 miles) from Hazelton
near the tip of the Alaska Panhandle.
Silver
Mining Town
Alice Arm was a booming silver mining town during the 1920's and
30's. When the price for silver crashed, the mine at Alice Arm eventually
had to close down.
Cranberry
Junction
To get here you take Hwy 16 west of Prince
George and travel eventually to the Hwy 37 junction at Kitwanga
and turn north towards Kitwancool. You now have to travel another
73 km (45 miles) to a forest service road at Cranberry Junction.
Take the recommended four-wheel drive road towards New
Aiyansh.
Kitsault
After you travel for around 30 minutes you will come to a junction
with another road going to the north. This is the restricted road
to the private townsite of Kitsault. The road is usually closed
from mid October to May. Alice Arm sits on the other side of the
bay from Kitsault.
Molybdenum
Mining Town
Kitsault was a molybdenum mining town which was built during the
1970's and later abandoned in 1980. The molybdenum mine was a strong
producer between 1967 and 1972 with considerable reserves left at
closure. Kitsault was virtually new with everything from curbed
roads, school, houses, hospital and swimming pool all coming to
a halt.
BC
Hydro Electricians
The town of Kitsault was fenced off with a resident caretaker that
looked after the area all through the 1990's. Virtually the only
activity in the area was the sound of the snow plow and the odd
BC Hydro electrician from Terrace servicing
the equipment in the Kitsault substation.
NIHO
Kitsault since 2005 has been taken over by new private ownership
that purchased the complete town in a famous BC real estate deal.
The real estate deal which was advertised worldwide for seven million
dollars created a lot of attention for NIHO the agent who handled
the property. Eventually Kitsault Resort Ltd bought the property
with the intent of creating an LNG plant, refinery and export terminal.
Quiet
Inlet
Alice Arm is very popular with boaters during the summertime coming
from Prince Rupert. You need a small
boat to get access around the dock area in Alice Arm. Expect to
find a very quiet inlet with the odd resident on his/her boat relaxing
during the summer season.
Present
Day Gold Rush
If you are planning a trip on the Cranberry Road during the late
summer and early fall, just remember it is pine mushroom season.
These mushrooms are used for ceremonial purposes in Japan at some
times and are priced like gold. During the picking season, the Cranberry
Region can resemble a 'shanty town' from the gold rush era of the
1800's.
Swan
Lake/Kispiox River Park
For people who really enjoy wilderness camping, canoeing/kayaking
and seeing untouched nature at hand, Swan Lake/Kispiox River Provincial
Park is very close to the Cranberry Junction. When you are on Hwy
37, rather than turn towards New Aiyansh, turn east towards the
Kispiox River. From here there is an access road into Swan Lake/Kispiox
River Park.
Watch
For the Unexpected
Just remember when you are on these roads to expect unplowed sections
and the potential for lots of snow. Also watch for heavy equipment
working, the odd delay and the possibility of animals on the roadway.
Nass
Camp
If you need supplies and fuel a good place to check is at Nass Camp.
There is a small camp set up here for forestry companies working
in the area. Nass Camp also has a store where you can find small
grocery items and a liquor outlet.
New
Aiyansh
If you do make Nass Camp another spot to check out is New Aiyansh
and the traditional home of the Nisga'a Nation. British Columbia's
last volcanic reaction can be found here at the Nisga'a Memorial
Lava Bed Park.
Information
on Alice Arm - Kitsault
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