Over the holidays we decided to visit family in the British Columbian interior.
Our tour would start out on the Trans Canada highway, known as HWY 1, and would continue up to the Crowsnest highway 3, past Hope (or ‘beyond Hope’, as the local joke goes), and through the Cascade mountain range.
We try not to do a lot of driving through the mountains in the winter for the obvious reasons.
We don’t have a ‘real truck’, but a low riding city pickup not even made for potholes, let alone mountain passes, but we were going to head into the wilderness, regardless.
We like to do our best to be prepared, just in case, so we bought some chains for our recently switched out winter tires and packed snacks and warm clothes.
Having been stuck in the wilderness before (a story for later, perhaps), I am not interested in being under-prepared when it comes to winter conditions. I prefer NOT to test my luck when I could freeze to death in a few short breaths.
After all, this is the area where the Canadian TV show ‘Highway Thru Hell‘ is filmed, and if you have ever seen it – even once – you know the dangers of the snowy mountain roadways.
Scary driving – avalanche routes, cliffs, sharp corners and snow covered signs. At times we barely drove 35km an hour!
The climate in the lower mainland of British Columbia Canada, where we live, is always tempered by the ocean and winds re-directed by the mountains.
It is relatively warm where we are, and if it snows (which it rarely does), the thin white layer generally lasts no more than a few hours.
The grass is always green, many trees keep their foliage – some turn for Autumn, and though you might want rain gear, you won’t need a winter coat – unless you like skiing in the mountains.
It is always surprising to me how quickly the climate changes here – just a twist in the road can bring you somewhere entirely climatically different.
We go through the Fraser Valley, round up to the mountain encircled town of Hope and already the snow is setting in.
My favourite example of dramatic climate change lies between Princeton and Hedley. Though the towns are barely 20 minutes apart, Princeton is often degrees colder and certainly snowier than its neighbour.
Hedley was actually warm, sun blazing (blinding, more accurately!), snow predominantly melted. You can physically see the changes start once around the mountain bend. Weather patterns, fascinating!
We made it to and from our destination without incident, and though we enjoyed a white Christmas, it was nice to get back home to the warmth and the green grass – where our little dogs don’t need winter coats!
You can click the photo of Jack and Jim above to view article photos in full size.
Many (many!) additional photos in the slideshow. Photos taken with my new Blackberry Playbook Christmas present!
Enjoy many more photos at the Habitual Runaway on Facebook.
Related articles
- Crowsnest Highway (wikipedia)
- Rocky Mountains (wikipedia)
- Cascade Range (wikipedia)
- Crowsnest Hwy 3 (britishcolumbia.com)
- Highway Thru Hell (discovery.ca)
We’ve been over Crowsnest Pass a few times…but only in the summer! Enjoyed the photos and seeing what it looks like at this time of year.
LikeLike
Oh thanks – it is gorgeous in the winter – but definitely safer in the summer!
LikeLike
I saw your photos on Facebook – gorgeous.
LikeLike
Oh thank you =)
LikeLike
It’s really a winter wonderland!
LikeLike
I look at it and think wow and how picturesque … and then … Oh Heavens Ana I must be getting old as I certainly wouldn’t like to be driving in those conditions 🙂
Lovely photos with your V.V.Nice . Christmas Present !!
LikeLike
Belated Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you.
LikeLike
Justin Beaver has nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, because he and his good friend The Eternal Traveller love reading your blog. You can read about it here.
LikeLike
Oh how thoughtful! =D I will head over and take a look – thank you!
LikeLike
You are very welcome!
LikeLike
Yeah, Crowsnest pass – scary spot, I lived there a while.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by La Maison! I remember driving through the Canadian Rockies during a snow storm. It is quite spectacular! Great blog!
LikeLike
Have driven these roads often; too often, I sometimes thought at the time. In winter. Very prudent to take the preparations you do. Never know. And one knows quickly when never seems to be in the offing.
LikeLike
Since we recently moved back to the Midwest after living in Colorado, I can relate to that kind of driving, which we avoided. Thanks for sharing! Looks beautiful, however. -Mimi
LikeLike
Thank you! Yes, you would be able to relate – it really is treacherous – things can go awry in seconds…we too try to avoid snowy mountain driving!
LikeLike
thanks for liking my blog — i love your photographs — would you be open to possibly letting me use one for a future blog — let me know
LikeLike
Oh thank you, thats so kind =). I actually have another blog at spiritualanalog.wordpress.com, that I use the photos I take to turn into inspirational quotes. I have more than 300 now waiting in que to be ‘spiritualized’. I am afraid that might conflict with your idea for usage, no? Feel free to take a look and see what you think =). Thanks again for the lovely compliment!
LikeLike
They do look cute in their coats though. Glad it all worked out and nice photos.
LikeLike
You have some lovely winter photos here.
Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate the time you took to stop by. May your day be filled with joy and peace.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
LikeLike
Thank you – and you are welcome =D
LikeLike
Great photos…reminded me of crossing the mountain passes in January ’82…Idaho, Montana…chains, passes closed, but this was in the States and so more traffic, but we were driving a crappy U-haul truck with all our stuff. Adventures…with dogs.
LikeLike
We drive the mountain passes often and we are amazed, as you mentioned, how quickly the weather changes and how bad it can get.
Thank you for stopping by my blog!
LikeLike
Great pictures. I love Canada!
Thank you for stopping by my blog, it is much appreciated.
LikeLike
Great photos. I love Jack and Jim.
LikeLike
Sigh…I miss the mountains. Wish I could get out west more often.
Great shots!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog…much appreciated!
LikeLike
Oh yes, I never get sick of the mountains! You are welcome, your photos are fantastic :).
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by the new website, Ana!
LikeLike