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Cascade Mountains & Fraser River

Overview

Founded as a fur-trading post in 1848, and later booming with the discovery of gold in the Fraser River, Hope’s rich history and scenic location at the base of the Cascade Mountains, on a wide sweeping curve of the mighty Fraser River, make it an excellent destination for all sorts of interesting attractions.

 

In town, enjoy the serenity of the Japanese Friendship Gardens, or take a stroll to admire the many animal carvings adorning the streets. Created by local artist Pete Ryan in a project that started in 1991, these carvings amaze visitors and locals alike, marking Hope as the Chainsaw Carving Capital. See if you can spot all twenty-four!

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Take the short drive east of Hope to witness the incredible devastation of the Hope Slide. Triggered in 1965 by a small earthquake, this was BC’s biggest earth and rock slide, causing millions of tons of rock to crumble away from the mountain, killing four people and destroying 3 km (1.9 mi.) of the Hope-Princeton Highway. Marvel at the huge bare patch as you imagine the unfolding events of the fateful January night.

 

A network of hiking trails, lakes, and green space in Manning Provincial Park and Skagit Valley Provincial Park also attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round.

 

- Content from ‘travel BC'

Location

Hope is located at the confluence of the mighty Fraser River and the smaller Coquihalla River and is nestled between the mountains of the Cascade and Coastal Mountain ranges. The views are stunning and the outdoor adventures are endless: hiking and biking trails for every fitness level plus river rafting, fishing, boating, golfing, rock hounding and gold panning. Thanks to the unique thermal air currents above Hope, you can also experience the thrill of soaring in a glider.

 

The Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park on the outskirts of Hope preserves a unique section of the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway - Here walkers and cyclists can explore the four tunnels and two bridges that give access to the stunning canyon gorge, an area featured in numerous movies filmed in Hope, including "Rambo-First Blood".

 

World famous Hell's Gate Airtram and Minter Gardens are close by as are the Yale Heritage Site, the Hope Slide and Bridal Falls. Both E.C. Manning and the Skagit Valley Provincial Parks are accessed from Hope; they offer miles of wilderness trails, wild rivers and pristine lakes. In the winter, there is downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing at Manning Park Resort as well as snowmobiling at the Coquihalla Summit.

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