Diversion-Connaught Drive to Pat blvd Access point.

The next story after this will be starting at the point at the very end of Patricia Boulevard overlooking highway 16 East, which has 2 entrances. This will take a bit of explanation to get to that point. Extra care must be taken in several areas of this trip so take it if you feel brave. This route is nice if you are rolling, either with human power or electricity to save the environment.

This entire route is taken on a low use public road in a residential / high tourist attractive area and it "intersects" with a city artery so take care and follow all cautionary "rules of the road". It is better riding on the edge of the road, facing the traffic as the sidewalks have no cutouts from Victoria St to Queensway (~1.5 Km) and again from Queensway to the trail entrance (about 2 km). ENJOY!

Start on Connaught Drive by off of 17th ave across from the Connaught Youth Center, 100+meters east of Victoria St & head north. This vid starts accross from Connaught Dr towards Victoria st. The road follows along the base of Connaught Hill. Slow down, close your eyes and breathe deep. Connaught hill is the Flower garden of Prince George. If you have enough energy and are not scared of traffic it is well worth the detour to go up the hill to see the flowers.

Connaught Hill Entrance pics:

Be careful coming down from the top along the road, it is narrow and steep. Walkers, rollers and strollers will have a better time then scooters and power chairs maneuvering along the road. There are “off road” access trails for those able enough to climb steep dirt paths.

(Pic of Queensway crossing)

After Connaught Hill you are going to cross Queensway Street and go along Patricia Blvd. Queensway can be a dangerous crossing. Be careful and do not expect them to stop. Once on Patricia, conventional traffic is light. Face the traffic along this route and it is safe enough.

(Another view of Queensway crossing)

Along this route, you will see much of Prince Georges industrial section to your left. On the right is an older established residential neighborhood with a Ukrainian dance hall and an older Roman Catholic Church upon the entrance to this route. As you go down towards the river, look to the right. Several of the streets are “tunneled” by tree branches when in full bloom. They are nice to see and offer many great photo opportunities (soon to come)

Down here a little further you see “Bedford Place” Bed and Breakfast overlooking the mighty Fraser River. You will also see a chain across the road preventing vehicles from entering the cul-de-sac. You chuckle as you notice a “No parking” sign on the opposite side of the turnabout. Here is a great vantage Point overlooking floodplains of the Fraser, the bridge over the Fraser and the east entrance/exit of Highway 16. Stay tuned as we enter the next part of our summer journey down the Heritage trail to Cottonwood Island and beyond!

Patricia St Blvd to Cottonwood Island

As we come off of Patricia Boulevard into the vehicle restricted cul-de-sac overlooking highway 16 and the river, we see the trail entrance to our left. If traveling on an electric mobility scooter or power chair, be warned that this hill is steep and there is a sharp corner to the right. You could go up the other side to the highway and head east, but that is another story. You might want to have someone go ahead and make sure no bikes or walkers are coming up unexpectedly as you will not be able to see around the corner till you are into it. Everyone is able to access the trail, so everyone must take care. The video was an early attempt and I do appoligize, I swear a bit on this one, please turn down the sound if that offends you!



At the other end we go under Highway 16 (under the "Yellowhead" bridge) and swing towards the historic Canada National rail bridge.

This CN Bridge was once part of Highway 16’s ("The Yellowhead", Canada's National highway) route east. This bridge is unique in Canada. It is the only bridge in Canada to have had both rail and vehicle traffic at the same time and it is a draw bridge. It opened once in its history to allow the passage of the last of the water transport vessels on the Fraser; ending an era. We go under that bridge as well (which is real cool when there is a train crossing at the same time).

Beyond that bridge we enter the wild looking lowlands of the junction of the Nechaco and Fraser Rivers. The city needs to do some work in this area, however if you take it easy you should be able to navigate this area with not too much difficulty. Watch for rough spots as you cross the bridge, there needs to be some work with the pavement where it meets the bridge on both ends.
You enter an area shortly after that with a great view of both rivers. This area is busy in the summer; historically the local first nation communities have used this area for religious ceremonies. Every summer a well attended international POW-WOW takes place in this location. The Pow-wow this year was held in Carrie Jane Grey as the floods prevented it in the usual place. You might want to plan your Heritage Trail tour to coincide with this event held in June. It’s well worth it. Stay with us as we enter Cottonwood Island Park!
UPDATE: The Pow-Wows traditionaly here were moved to another area used in the past; Carrie Jane Grey park in 2006 due to the conditions of the Nechaco and Fraser at the time. The Pow Wow Grounds were below the 100 yr floodplain and remain under a few meters of water as late as January, 2008. Contact the Prince George Native Freindship center for more info on future Pow-Wows.

The final leg- Cottonwood Island to Cameron Street Bridge

Looking West down the Nechako, about a KM from the confluence (just beyond Cottonwood Island park), taken September 2006 B4 the floods. Edge erosion was common, the city did not spend a lot of coin on trail improvements in this area.

This section of the trail was destroyed by the floods of 2007/2008.It's survival is in question, as Cottonwood Island Park is under a few meters of water as the Nechako flows over it now. During the Spring and summer of 2007, the river swelled it's banks to the highest levels seen in 50 + years. The swift water quickly eroded the paved sections of the trail, and returned the "natural areas" to their natural impassible states. During the winter of 07/08 the Nechako again flooded as ice jams piled up for over 7 Kms and water levels reached the highest levels in over 200 years! Please support any efforts to restore the "accessibility to all" this area once had; it is our history.
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Past the POW-WOW grounds you will cross a wooden bridge onto Cottonwood Island. This bridge has runners for conventional vehicles so it can be a little difficult for some small tired scooters and power chairs to navigate. Go slow. These river channels are common through Cottonwood Island park and add to the natural beauty of the area. They are the overflow channels for the Nechako river and many lifeforms gather here for water, rest and an abundance of food.

The confluence of these two rivers opened up historical trade routes in North America. About 60 miles up river on the Nechako, the Stuart River joins it, flowing from Stuart Lake (BC's 3rd largest lake) @ Ft St James. Stuart Lake drains one end into the Pacific watershed (through the Nechako to the Fraser) and the other end drains north west to the Arctic watershed through a series of confluences to the Mackenzie River.

Wildlife came in abundance, bringing hunters from all over the continent. Traders and Raiders would meet here for centuries before the Europeans moved in and set up the first settlement and supply cache in this area. In fact, our first City Hall was also in this area. As you walk this part of the trail, you are reminded of our past ignorance and the struggle return this area to it's natural state. You are also reminded of our importance in the environment and how we can influence it.

Look to your left after crossing the bridge. A weathered map kiosk shows how not to get lost inside the park as there is a multitude of natural unpaved trails. It is a wise idea to have noise makers like bells and whistles available beyond this point. Wildlife is in abundance through the park to the end at the bridge. You can go the semi exciting route through the trail edge of Cottonwood Island with its spectacular views of the Nechako River or you can go down any of the trails inside the park to exit at a parking lot. Inside Cottonwood, there is lots of natural scenery.

The trails inside the park follow the backwater drainage areas of the Nechako River and are usually filled with waterfowl. Trail markers identify the plant and animal life you may encounter while exploring. Pavement ends inside the park; the creators wanted to keep it as natural as possible. Pavement returns just past the park so relax and enjoy nature in Prince George's backyard. Wander through the trails and have fun. You will end up at the parking lot or back on the trail if you get confused and misdirected so do not panic. There are wood spirits carved high in the trees, look for them.

If you exit in the parking lot, it is beside the Railway and Forestry museum. We recommend that little diversion. You can climb on big trains and read of their histories here as well as learning about our logging history.

If you happen to end up going further upriver you will pass industry on both sides of the river, as well as a fish hatchery and various environmental efforts to try and recover from the human footprint of centuries of habitation. There is about 2 Km's to go here to the Cameron street Bridge trail exit.

The scenery of this area is typical of the fauna and flora of the area. The first picture was taken looking towards the Fraser river on the return trip just past Cottonwood, the second is just past Cottonwood heading towards Cameron St Bridge. Prince George Walk-N-Roll Publications hopes you enjoyed have enjoyed the tour and please take the time to remember the memories that you may personally carry.

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