The Duffey Lake Road that leads from Pemberton to Lillooet offers spectacular views of lakes and glaciers over its 104-km. (62-mile) length. The road traverses the Cayoosh Range, taking travellers from the lush green of the coast to the dusty browns of the semi-arid ranchland Cariboo and the interior. Lillooet is one of the earliest aboriginal settlements in the interior of B.C., as well as “Mile 0” on the historic Cariboo Trail that miners took north to the goldfields in the 1800s. Rich in history and aboriginal sites, it is also a four-season playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
Lillooet Museum. Explores gold rush history of the region.
Ginseng Farms. Underneath the black tarpaulins you see covering the fields is ginseng. The area’s soils and climate are ideal for growing the fabled root prized for its healing properties in the Orient.
Side Trips from Lillooet along scenic Highway 40 include the historic mining community of Gold Bridge/Bralorne, and a hydro dam at Seton Portage and the first nations community at Shalath. In Lillooet, ask for maps showing side roads that will take you to some spectacular sights. Farmer’s Market and U-Pick Gardens in Lillooet offer some of BC’s best fruits and vegetables from July to September.
