Day 13 May 2nd Quesnel to Whistler

Lake La Hache

We rose at 0600 and got ready

fire devastation

for leaving on the train at 0715. The weather was dry, partly cloudy with plenty of sun. We soon left the unimpressive town of Quesnel (I may be doing it an injustice because we only had a night’s sleep there) and again followed the valley of the Fraser River. The views were of

we're on the right track

more open farmland and some forest areas. We went

reflections in lake

through the area devastated by massive forest fires which last year made headlines around the world. Vast areas were burnt out and whole towns (65000 people) had to be evacuated. It closed the train line for six weeks. It was just excessively hot weather which caused it for the most part. We have been across high bridges

over ravines and have followed the San Jose river and the

Fraser canyon

shores of the long Lake La Hache by lunchtime..
After this we started to follow the Fraser.  The Fraser River looks muddy but that is because it is!  Other rivers pass through large lakes where sedimentation takes place

confluence of two rivers

but this does not happen for the Fraser and the fine silt from the mountains is

our lead engine

carried to the ocean.  The most spectacular natural feature we came across today (apart from mountains, lakes and waterfalls) was the deep canyon formed by the Fraser.  The train started running 1000ft above the river and by train standards we took a steep descent to run alongside it

running along the Birkenhead

It was another quite long day but the consensus was that this was far more

A des res

interesting than yesterday.   Our journey carried on, we left the Fraser and found further lakes, dams, power stations and timber processors.  We went through old gold mining towns which had morphed into tourism, farming or

farming more prominent

forestry centres.  So quite an historical and educational day.   We passed an old shack which had quite an interesting

lovely lake and mountains

address.

As we approached Whistler there were more towns/villages and we were told about the development as a ski resort and the

level crossing

investment for the 2010 winter Olympic games of which the locals are very proud.  The ski slopes are closed at the moment but are due to get going fairly soon.  Sadly it means the gondola ride to the mountain top is not currently operating.

We soon arrived (1930) at the Fairmont Whistler which looked an impressive modern hotel.

one of today's several tunnels

  We settled in, had a snack and retired after a full, very good day.