The first article on our memorable road trip in December across southern B.C. included some driving suggestions and tips. Here is some more information to make your trip safer and more enjoyable – it’s all in the planning – as even an experienced winter driver can be taken unawares. Here are a few of the sights we saw along the way
Incredible scenery & wildlife including
- Small herds of snow-covered deer hunkered down in the grass beside the road
- If you pay attention you may notice a moose, elk or caribou, eating hay in the snow along with the horses or cattle in the fields
- Look for, and take care of, flocks of mountain sheep along the way
- A variety of birds from pheasant, flickers, crows, ravens and ducks
- Perhaps if you are lucky you may see mountain caribou on the high mountain passes
Besides the wildlife, we also saw domestic animals in the fields and were especially surprised to see pigs, snow-covered sheep and llamas as well as a flock of turkeys feeding in the snow .
A Winters Drive Emergency Kit
For any long distance driving in any season an Emergency Kit is just common sense and here are a few suggestions on extra items to carry in winter as well as a tool kit, tire repair, etc:
- Water, energy bars and crackers (non perishable)
- Flashlight
- Seat belt cutter (window breaker)
- Booster cables
- Solar blanket, gloves, hat
- Show shovel and windscreen scraper
- Tow cable and rope
- Matches and candles (in a coffee tin to keep dry and use inside vehicle)
- Kitty litter (for traction)
- Emergency radio and batteries
- Cell phone
- Sun glasses – if the sun shines on the freshly fallen snow – it can be blinding
- Buy or make up an Emergency Kit similar to Earthquake Survival Kit
Again, safe winter driving in our beautiful province.
Notes
- We drove #3 from Castlegar – through Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Green wood, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Hope to the Fraser Valley.
- The highest (open all year) road pass in Canada is in B.C. called Salmo Pass or Kootenay Pass 1775 m / 5823 ft(en route to Cranbrook)
- Other high mountain passes are : Paulson summit elevation 1535 m /5036 ft) , Eholt summit elevation 1028m/3373ft , Anarchist 1491 m /4892 ft, Sunday Pass 1284 m / 4213 ft, Allison Pass (Manning Park) 1342 m / 4403 ft
- In my opinion the most winding and steep, section of this highway is the stretch of road from Princeton heading towards Manning Park. Hairpin bends and steep ascents / descents
- Plan en route activities such as snow shoeing or skiing. Perhaps ice fishing at the summit of Eholt pass or a snow shoe hike on the Trans Canada Trail
- A big asset in making this trip is having an experienced winter driver and a safe, well equipped vehicle
Links & References
- Web cams # 3 en route- Drive BC Environment Canada weather
- Mt. Baldy ski area
- Trans Canada Trail
- Weather office
- Lots of safe seasonal driving tips and if you “Don’t know – Don’t go”
- How to plan a winters drive across Southern B.C. – first article
