Hope 
In 1808 Simon Fraser passed through in search of a waterway to the coast and the Hudson's Bay Company established a fur trading fort here in 1848. Today, Hope is famous for its chainsaw carvings and it's movie making locations. For example, many may not know that 'Rambo - First Blood' was filmed in and around Hope. The chainsaw carving collection started with a large tree in Memorial Park that had a bad case of root rot. Locals were quite upset of the loss of this tree and many others that were to come down, a local artist, suggested that carvings be made of the stumps. Today there are over two dozen carvings throughout town. While in Hope a must see is the Othello-Quintette Tunnels officially known as the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. These were built in 1911 by Andrew McCulloch to complete the Kettle Valley Railway. Constant washouts and rockslides plagued the railway causing it to close in 1959. A leisurely walk on the railway grade will take you through the tunnels and the spectacular Coquihalla Canyon gorge. To get to Vancouver you can either travel along Hwy #7 which follows the north side of the Fraser River through small towns and communities or you can travel via Hwy #1 along a four lane freeway on the south side of the Fraser River.

 Yale 
Gold once made Yale the largest town west of Chicago and north of San Francisco. It was the first town to be incorporated on mainland British Columbia, established first as a trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company. It was also the head of navigation as sternwheelers would bring prospectors from Victoria and Vancouver up to Yale where they would have to continue on foot to the gold fields. This was also the site of a major work camp of Andrew Onderdonk who had the contract to build the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Fraser Canyon. St. John the Divine Anglican Church is one of the oldest churches in British Columbia on its original foundation. The museum is located next to the church and is packed with memorabilia that bring an understanding of Yale's history closer to the visitor. It is hard to imagine when you drive through Yale today that there used to be over 20 hotels and 15 saloons here at the height of the gold rush. Excellent walking tours and gold panning demonstrations are available at the museum.

 Spuzzum 
First settled when the Hudson's Bay Company built a fur trading depot that was known as "Simon's House". Later the native name "Spozem" meaning "little flat" was adapted to the present day spelling of Spuzzum. A ferry crossed the river here from 1858 until 1863 when the gold rush prompted the construction of the first Alexandra Bridge. This was also the site of a Cariboo Wagon Road toll station that collected fees on the freight headed for the gold fields further north. While in the area, be sure to check out the old Alexandra Bridge which is just a short 10 minute walk from the rest area. This bridge was constructed in 1926 using the original 1863 abutments which were poured in 1863. The first bridge was washed away by a flood in 1894.

 Hell's Gate  
Located 11 km south (west) of Boston Bar. Near Hell's Gate is one of the North America's longest tunnels - China Bar - 610 metres long. Two different construction companies began work on this tunnel in the early 60's - one contractor at each end. When these two met in the middle they were only inches apart from meeting together perfectly. Not bad with the equipment they had to work with back then and the fact that the design incorporated a curve at one end. China Bar is named after the hardworking Chinese who gleaned a fortune by reworking the supposedly exhausted sand bar in the Fraser River below after the whites moved on to new and more promising creeks.

 Boston Bar  
Named in the1860's from prospectors that came from Boston to strike it rich during the gold rush. Local natives called these fellow "Boston Men". This area is also the gateway to the Nahatlatch Valley. Cross the bridge over the Fraser River through North Bend and follow the road for about 20 minutes. Watch for logging trucks. The Nahatlatch River is as famous for white water rafting as the Thompson and Fraser Rivers are.

 Lytton  
Located at the junction of the Fraser and Thompson River. This community is known as the "Rafting Capital of Canada" and boasts some of the hottest temperatures in the country. While in downtown Lytton visiting the museum, check out the "Lytton Jellyroll" monument, a natural formation discovered in a gravel pit that dates back to the Ice Age. A car ferry can take you across the Fraser River so you are able to access the Stein Valley.

 Spences Bridge 
Famous for its steel head fishing and is also a put in point for many local rafting companies. If you are interested in fresh fruit and vegetables be sure to check out the family owned and operated Hilltop Gardens (5 km north (east) of Spences Bridge). Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep.

 Cache Creek  
An important stop for gold seekers as they traded goods and stocked up on food and prospecting supplies. It is now renowned for its jade carvings at the Cariboo Jade Shop. Continue south (west) along Hwy #1. A short drive off the main road will take you down to Ashcroft. This town was a rail point to unload freight before it was hauled up the Cariboo Road. Visit their excellent museum. Back on Hwy #1 - the Eagle Motorplex is bustling with activity Spring through Fall with competitors from all across North America.

 Savona  
A small community located on the west end of Kamloops Lake. Be sure to explore the desert-like terrain of Deadman's Creek Valley with its flowering cactus and unique hoodoo rock formations.

 Kamloops 
Originally a Hudson Bay Co. fur trading post. Kamloops got its name from a native word meaning "meeting of the two waters" as it is where the North and South Thompson rivers meet. Some of the key industries in this areas are lumber, ranching, agricultural and tourism. From Kamloops you can either head north on Hwy#5 to Jasper or east on Hwy #1 towards Banff.