Bear Camp, British Columbia - Where Outdoor Experiences For All Abound

Bear Camp, British Columbia Where Outdoor Experiences for all Abound

by Brian Gies

Living side by side with bruins on the Chilko. Photo: Bear Camp

B

ritish Columbia’s Bear Camp offers the most dramatic and diverse array of wilderness experiences in the West, making it the ultimate outdoor venue for families, couples, adventurers and anglers alike. At its heart, Bear Camp is a wonderfully unique grizzly bear viewing camp where guests live and interact with 20 to 25 resident grizzlies and an additional 80 to 100 bears that arrive in the fall to feed on spawning salmon. The deluxe, safari-style tent camp is built on stilts with interconnected decks/game viewing platforms overlooking a crystal-clear lake and the main feeding area used by the bears. Guests “glamp” soundly above, while the bears sleep soundly below. In addition to bear viewing, guests can take part in hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, stand up paddle boarding and world-class whitewater rafting. This is combined with incredible scenery, great food and wonderful Canadian hospitality. Best of all, guests are free to choose their activity of choice on a day-to-day basis.

Location Located on the outlet of Chilko Lake, one hour north of Vancouver by plane, Bear Camp is surrounded by a diverse alpine wilderness spanning five different biogeoclimatic zones. Each year, one of the largest wild sockeye salmon runs in the world returns to the waters immediately in front of camp to spawn. This bounty draws grizzly bears from the surrounding region and also creates a “salmon forest” where the recycled nutrients from the fish fertilize the soil. Giant fir trees, groves of trembling aspen, alpine fescue and majestic PAGE 54

stands of spruce trees surround a spectacular glacial lake so clean you can drink from it.

Experiences Hiking: There are an endless number of superb trails accessible right from Bear Camp. Green Lake offers easy terrain while Mt. Tullin is a challenging hike culminating with spectacular 360-degree views of the region. Heli-hiking can also be arranged at an additional expense to a number of valleys and nearby glaciers.

Kayaking: Chilko Lake is one of the world’s premiere alpine lake destinations to explore by sea kayak in quiet tranquility. Surrounded by massive glacier-capped peaks and a roadless wilderness, you will spend the days paddling the lake and picnicking on sandy beaches. During bear viewing season, most of the bruins congregate right in front of camp so guests do not have to paddle far to watch them feed.

Horseback: Astute wranglers will tailor rides with friendly horses for all abilities on nearby mountain trails, through fields of wildflowers or along rivers. Camp has access to incredibly fit and well cared for mountain horses that will transport you through unbelievable scenery.

Fishing: The Chilko region offers incredible fishing for anglers of all skill levels. Draining the main lake, the Chilko River always flows clear and is a superb trophy rainbow fishery throughout the season. The river is designated “fly fishing only, catch and release” and Bear Camp has both drift boats and Jon

WWW.FLYWATERTRAVEL.COM

BEAR CAMP, BRITISH COLUMBIA boats at the ready. Camp has all the needed equipment; staff is happy to teach beginners to fly fish or you can take a spin rod on the lake — the choice is yours.

Mountain Biking: Whether you are after flowing single tracks, winding dirt roads or gliding through pine-scented forests, Bear Camp has it. Their fleet of Kona mountain bikes comes with vehicle support and a knowledgeable guide. What more could you want? Eliminate the hills? They can do that too!

River Float or Paddle: Floating right from Bear Camp, you can take a half-day (10 miles) or an entire day (21 miles with a picnic lunch) by raft or inflatable kayak (aka “ducky”) while navigating some fun and scenic water that is still appropriate for little ones.

Drift Boat: Bear Camp’s drift boat provides guests with a fun and dry ride down the upper reaches of the Chilko. It is also ideal for fly fishing and, during salmon season, the dory provides an unobtrusive way to float and photograph among the bears.

Accommodation & Meals The heart of Bear Camp is a 1954 log fishing and hunting cabin that has been renovated with some modern twists including a full bar. Surrounding the cabin are the safari-tent platforms, perched along the waterline, 16 feet in the air. With over 400 feet of deck, your accommodations are also the finest game-viewing platforms imaginable. Camp features hot showers, flush toilets, cozy wood

stoves and delicious, chef-prepared meals making this a remarkably comfortable wilderness paradise. Each tent has a king bed or two double beds, warm down duvets, BC-made recycled pine furniture, reading lamps, charging docks and plush towels. Each day begins with coffee delivered right to your tent!

Notes

Travel: Guest have several options. After arriving to Vancouver BC, you can take a commercial flight to Williams Lake followed by a four-hour drive to camp.

Guests can also opt to air-charter directly into and out of camp from Vancouver by wheel plane or float plane, saving a good deal of time. Lastly, guests can charter in and take the ground transfer/commercial flight back. Options are priced accordingly and will be added to your package price.

Season: June through September Capacity: 14 guests Essential Tackle: A 9 foot 6-weight rod with a weight-forward floating line Top Flies: Chubby Chernobyl, Morrish hopper, assorted egg patterns Rates: $3,495 per person for a 7 night/6 day package, $2,495 per person for a 4 night/3 day package, $1,995 per person for a 3 night/2 day package

1-800 -552-2729

PAGE 55