A Winters Drive Across Southern B.C. #2

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

Mountain Cariboo at a truck stop beside highway — Mountain Caribou at a truck stop beside highway

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 .

Roadside view of the Similkameen River near Princeton

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