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03-14-2013, 04:07 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: VA / AZ
Posts: 81
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Rte 20 east of williams lake
Am traveling to British Columbia this July from Virginia. It was suggested
that I take
rt 20 East of Williams Lake on the Chilcotin Hwy east to the coast; however, I have had mixed feedback about the safety on this road.
I have a new 34' Allegro Red towing a Buick Enclave and an concerned.
Any feedback on traveling this route would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Pulley
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03-15-2013, 12:56 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,435
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Pulley, I'm not sure if I'm reading this right.
Williams Lake to the coast is West, and Highway 20 west form Williams Lake to the coast at Bella Coola , is called the Freedom Road, because it was pushed through by logging companies, and locals tired of paying for ferries to transport logs to market.
Sections of the road have 18% grade and a lot of gravel. Scenic wilderness and great fishing lakes , but one hell of a road for an RV.
My best maps of B.C. are at home and I won't be there till the first week in April. Let me know what you would like to see and I'll try and get you the best info .
Skip
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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03-15-2013, 02:58 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,179
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I have been researching this one for awhile, you can see some of the portion of the road if you search youtube for Bella Coola Road, the Hill and Freedom road.
I live in BC and the reason I have been looking into it is because I am planning to do the trip myself. Actually planned to go year before last but had to call it off because of weather. And that probably the biggest unknown. Many large vehicles take this road without problem, but...it can be prone to closure during heavy rains. 2011 was one of those years as was 2010. Now in July, that is less likely to be an issue but it is important to check conditions at the time. Usually things get iffy when you get several wet soggy months punctuated with occasional heavy rainfalls that can not only cause flooding but road washouts. You can check conditions online at
BC Highway 20 - Williams Lake to Bella Coola - Road Conditions
Now having said that, there is a reason to go. It is beautiful country, only lightly populated, gorgeous lakes, great fishing and hiking and then some. Truth is there is a lot of BC that fits that general description. As a local, it is pretty much the only stretch of Hwy that I haven't been on in this province. The allure of this hidden valley is strong. If you are coming this far, be reassured that generally roads in this province are decent, there is lots to see and do and if the Hwy seems daunting when you get there, don't feel compelled to do it, there are lots of things as alternatives. Barkerville, The Okanogan, The Rockies with their hot springs and national parks. In short, it is a big province with lots of choices.
www.hellobc.com has scads of information on the province, including Hwy 20 and region.
Oh and yes, it is West of Williams lake
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2008 - Country Coach, Inspire
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03-15-2013, 08:06 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: VA / AZ
Posts: 81
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Williams lake east
Ok Guys, I give in. My sense of direction got the best of me.
I appreciate the feedback. My Canadian friends told me it was a
beautiful place to visit, but were sketchy on the road system. Having a
new coach on gravel roads doesnt turn me on too much especially towing
a relative new Buick. Maybe parking the unit at Williams Lake and driving
the coach "west" is an option. How long a drive is this anyway? Thanks. Pulley
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03-15-2013, 10:08 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,435
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The map I have with me , doesn't give the mileage. DW reminded me that , Puntzi Lake , about 1/2 way to the coast from W/L and Nimpo Lake about 3/4 the way are popular and reasonable access, camp grounds etc., the steepest portion of the road is from Anahim Lake to bella Coola.
A B.C. , RV magazine ; RV Times; did a feature article on the trip a few years back, if I can find a link I'll post it for you.
I'll also try punching the trip into my GPS and see if it will give miles.
GPS , shows it as 172 miles, and no alternate route for return.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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03-15-2013, 02:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,179
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Getting to Bella Coola by Car
The route isn't all gravel and you can if you have the coin actually take a ferry out from Bella Coola to Vancouver Island. It is pricey
BC Ferries costs $305.00 for overheights up to 20' long and then $15.25 per foot thereafter. With a toad I could see that adding up to quite a chunk of change. It also puts you off at Vancouver Island which is a beautiful place in it's own right but that means another chunk of change to get off it. Of course you can go straight to Washington state from Victoria so it would make for an awesome circle route. Like I say, if the road puts you off, you could just drive it in your car, camping someplace before you get to "the hill" and not have to worry too much. Or as I suggest, there are many other places for the New Visitor to BC to get that "wow" feeling. I would suggest Tofino for awesome beaches on Vancouver Island. I am also fond of the Okanogan, nice weather, lots of wineries to tour, lakes, water sports etc. Or you can go to the Rockies and spend some time there. Lots and lots of choices that have less questions about road. If you would like, PM me, let me know where your interests lie and I will give you whatever insight I can. I have been all over this province with the 1 exception of the Freedom Hwy (only been as far as Puntzi Lake on that one).
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2008 - Country Coach, Inspire
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04-12-2013, 08:26 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
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Hi Pulley, having live in Bella Coola for ten years, I can tell you that it is some of the most beautiful country around. During that time my father-in-law brought his 33' motorhome down the hill and back and my dad brought his 28' 5th wheel pulled by a Ford Diesel. The grade is steep and some of the corners are hairpin. My suggestion would be to take it easy and park your trailer at a campground near the top. And then drive down so you can see what you are getting into. When I lived there I had a 21' trailer that I pulled out all the time with my suburban 4*4. There is also a lot of miles of gravel road, usually in decent condition. Once at the bottom of the hill, the road is paved all the way into Bella Coola.
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04-12-2013, 09:41 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 369
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Williams Lake to Bella Coola 279.5 miles
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04-12-2013, 11:42 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,435
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stillwater
Williams Lake to Bella Coola 279.5 miles
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I guess, I'd better run the numbers on my GPS again, and check against my map. or learn to subtract.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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04-14-2013, 07:06 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Cherry Creek, BC Canada
Posts: 7,648
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My unit claims claims 281 miles and 7 hours - 14 minutes to drive there.
I think I read an article a year or two ago in the RVTimes that the road was washed out and a bunch of RVers had to go all the way into Bella Coola to be barged out. Heavy, heavy rain washed the road out.
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04-14-2013, 07:33 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Okanagan valley British Columbia
Posts: 707
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I have flown over that area but have yet to travel highway 20 beyond the Fraser river bridge. It is a huge piece of sparsely populated country so amenities are scarce. Plan ahead and as has been said be prepared to wait out the weather.
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04-14-2013, 07:51 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
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Over the ten years of living in Bella Coola, we have driven the road many times. The drive usually takes around 6 1/2 hours, pulling a trailer would take longer. There are service stations along the way and you do drive through several small communities. The people are friendly and the country is beautiful. We have been to Alaska and many other beautiful places, but Bella Coola lives up to its name, beautiful valley, and it is.
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04-15-2013, 08:36 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club Vintage RV Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Cherry Creek, BC Canada
Posts: 7,648
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The article I am talking about was in #146 of the RVTimes http://www.rvtimes.ca/ and is available online for free. We have both read the article and it is on our "Future Plans" list at the present and will be worked into one of our many roams. Neighbours of ours son is driving one of those huge off road logging trucks over there and he tells us the scenery is utterly spectacular where he is driving. We want to get there to see it in person.
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04-15-2013, 08:49 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Possum
The article I am talking about was in #146 of the RVTimes http://www.rvtimes.ca/ and is available online for free. We have both read the article and it is on our "Future Plans" list at the present and will be worked into one of our many roams. Neighbours of ours son is driving one of those huge off road logging trucks over there and he tells us the scenery is utterly spectacular where he is driving. We want to get there to see it in person.
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Having driven that road dozens of times, I can tell you it is a spectacular scenic drive. We never got tired of the beauty or even the hill. And at the bottom of the hill is a nice provincial campground that we use to stay at many times.
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