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Famous Othello Quinette Tunnels

No stop in Hope is complete without a stroll through the spectacular Othello Quintette Tunnels, located within Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. The five tunnels are considered a major engineering feat: in 1914, workers blasted through granite, dangerously close to the 90-meter drop into the Coquihalla. The towering rockfaces, lush greenery and rushing river provide dramatic contrasts and have been featured in several Hollywood films, most notably Rambo: First Blood. A walk from the parking lot through all five tunnels and back is only 4km over railway-grade terrain, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Bring the whole family, a camera and a flashlight!

Birthplace of Rambo : 'First Blood'

Over 25 years have passed since Rambo: First Blood wrapped filming in Hope, but residents and Rambo enthusisiasts agree it doesn't feel so far past. The American flags, US Army billboards and other details that helped transform the town into the birthplace of John Rambo are long gone, but there's still much to see. Maps are available at the Visitor Info Centre to guide the curious on a Rambo walking tour, including the infamous bridge and the stunning rockfaces of the Othello-Quintette tunnels. Super fans should check out the upcoming anniversary celebration of First Blood's screen debut, slated for 5-7 OCtober 2007.

Chainsaw Carving Capital

Some call Hope the Chainsaw Carving Capital of British Colombia; others claim it's the capital of the country. Over two dozen large wooden sculptures wind through the downtown core, many featuring local wildlife like bears, eagles and salmon. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour on the Hope Arts and Carving Walk, starting at the Hope Visitor Info Centre. Many restaurants and businesses feature carvings as well, like Doc's Carving Gallery. Carvers from across North America come for the Chainsaw Carving Competition, scheduled for 7 - 9 September 2007.

Minter Garden

The 32 acre parcel of land known as Minter Gardens is billed as a World Class Show Garden. It's actually a series of 11 world class, themed gardens, nestled against the mighty Mt. Cheam. Hundreds of years ago a mountain created a space of uneven topograghy, making it unsuitable for crop growth but an ideal setting for Brian and Faye Minter to begin creating their masterpiece in 1980. Located about 20 minutes west of Hope, the Gardens are open from April to mid-October. With two restaurants and a plant/gift shop on-site, it's a perfect day trip for people of all ages. Given the popularity of the Gardens as a location for weddings and other special events, dining reservations are advisable.

Magnificent Manning Provincial Park

Named for E. C. Manning, Chief Forester of British Colombia from 1938 - 1940, Manning Provincial Park encompasses over 66,500 hectares within the Cascade Mountains. Rainforests cover the west; grassland slopes cover the east; valleys, meadows, lakes and rivers cross between. Numerous hiking trails wind throughout the park, as do dedicated horseback riding and mountain biking; cross country skiing is popular through the winter. Power boats are prohibited but paddle boats are welcome. Four designated campgrounds are in the park, with wilderness camping also permitted in certain areas.

The Hell's Gate

Simon Fraser passed through the Fraser Canyon in June 1808. He described it thusly: "We had to travel where no human being should venture - for surely we have encountered the gates of hell." Hell's Gate is the point where 1,100 miles of water is squeezed into a passage only 110 feet wide, where 200 million gallons of water hammers through to this day. Those who want to see this spectacle for themselves today will have a much easier go of it than Mr. Fraser. The Hell's Gate Airtram, about forty minutes north of Hope, takes visitors on a descent over the passage. Guests can check out viewpoints, comprehensive exhibits and a variety of shops and restaurants before crossing back to the highway.

Whitewater Rafting

The Fraser Valley offers plenty of rivers for rafting: the Fraser itself, as well as the Thompson, Nahatlatch, Chehalis, Coquihalla and Chilliwack rivers. Many rafting companies operate through the region, offering package deals encompassing a range of options in skill level and length. Whether you prefer a scenic float down the Fraser or a non-stop thrill ride through the rapids of the Chilliwack River Canyon, operators like the Fraser River Rafting Expeditions, based in Yale, offer something for everyone.

Awesome Hope Slide Sight

One of the largest landslides in Canadian history took place just east of Hope. On 9 January 1965, the southwestern slope of Johnson's peak collapsed, spreading 47 million cubic metres of debris, 8 metres thick, over a 3 kilometre section of the Hope-Princeton Highway. Most of the scarred area remains bare rock and is clearly visible to passing air traffic. Those travelling by vehicle should stop at the viewing point 20 kilometres east of Hope: the massive scale of the slide is easily appreciable close up.

Harrison Hot springs

At 60 kilometres long, Harrison Lake is Southwestern British COlumbia's largest freshwater body. At the south end you'll find Harrison Hot Springs, a relaxed village known for its world class salmon, trout and sturgeon fishing. The lake is also popular with sailors and windsurfers, though swimmers may prefer to take advantage of the warmer waters of the lagoon. The beach is popular with sunbathers and annually hosts the World Championship Sand Sculpture Competition.

Great fishing in the Skagit River

One of the most popular fishing rivers in the Fraser Valley, the scenic Skagit River ranks among the premier rainbow trout rivers in Western North America. The Skagit specially favoured by fly fishers along the Silver Skagit Road, found in the Skagit Valley Provincial Park (37km southeast of Hope). Those who follow the road up to Ross Lake will find it well-stocked with eastern brook and rainbow trout. As always, anglers must have a British Columbia freshwater licence and should check regulations before heading out.

Yale is the birth place of B.C

Yale is one of the southwestern British Columbia's oldest and most historically significant communities. Now a peaceful village of approximately 200, the population in 1858 was a staggering 20,000 people. Yale was the traffic centre of the Fraser River, the inland terminus for sternwheelers and a waystation for travellers heading or returning from the north. As the Gold Rush petered out, Yale remained an industrial hub as a supply centre for railway construction crews through the 1880s. Yale now teems with history rather than people. The local museum offers walking tours, guiding visitors to such landmarks as the Church of St. John the Divine (built in 1863, it's BC's oldest church) and the historic graveyard.

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