Gold Mines of Hedley
Fresh Air, Forests, Wildlife, Spectacular Landscapes and
Lost Gold Mines.

This is a trip that combines nearly every aspect of Southern British Columbia's interior landscape and ecology by showcasing the scenery, landforms, wildlife and ecology of the Pennask Plateau and Similkameen Highlands. This region hosts some of the most productive timberlands in the province, a wide variety of wildlife, a rich mineral endowment and an ecology that ranges from semi-arid to alpine ecosystems. And we retrace some of history of transport in the region.

We travel backroads that pass through forests that host a wide variety of flora and wildlife. Beavers, moose, deer, black bears and even the occasional lynx or bobcat if we are luck can be spotted at many points along the trip. Our journey takes on routes that many locals are unaware of!

You'll pass through Apex Alpine Ski Resort. Recognized for its abundance of advanced runs, the resort is undergoing expansion that will match the amenities to the caliber of it's skiing.

The road continues on to the Nickel Plate Copper/Gold Mine. Originally discovered in 1898, modern open pit mining of the workings visible from the road was started in 1987 with sporadic production until October 1996. Almost 14 million tons of ore was processed from 1904 to 1996. 981,000 kilograms (2 million pounds) of copper was produced from the operation. And pioneer history is hidden in the forest.

A short walk to an abandoned copper/gold mine give an opportunity to see the hosting limestone and volcanic rock and an abundance of mineralization scattered around the wooden ore chutes. This is skarn mineralization as is found at the much larger Nickel Plate mine.

Please be aware though. This is rattlesnake country and a rare opportunity to view these marvels of evolution in their natural setting. Rattlesnakes are timid and not the demons they have been made out to be by the movies. They are slow moving and do not leap out at people as often misconstrued. You are too big to eat so they only want to avoid being stepped on. They have superb sense of "hearing" the vibration of heavy footsteps from metres away. Tread heavily and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent animals as they truly are.

We continue down a sinuous road to the townsite of Hedley. A thriving mining town at the turn of the century, Hedley boasted a population of over 1,000 people, 5 hotels and a "forty stamp" mill to process the gold from the gold claims in neighbouring Nickel Plate mountain. It was once the hub of the Similkameen Valley. Hedley today is a village of approximately 400. A stop at the museum is an excellent overview of the dramatic history of the gold camp. An optional trip to the Mascot Mine perched high on the mountain is easily added.

Our return back to Kelowna can be of a variety of routes based on time and group spirit. Any one of them is sure to give from this safari memories to last a lifetime.