Head West from Williams Lake B.C. on Highway 20 and let your Wildlife Viewing adventures begin. Bella Coola is about a 6 hour drive West from Williams Lake. Chances are you will see a few Mule Deer around the Alexis Creek area while cruising across the Plateau. After about 2 hours of travelling on the Chilcotin Highway you will see the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Coast range a distance off to the West. Just keep heading for the Coast and stay on Highway 20.

You will pass through Tatla Lake, Nimpo Lake and Anahim Lake

and eventually you will come to Heckman Pass.

 

Bella Coola's famous "Hill" is the point where Highway 20 crests the Coast Range and begins its descent into the Bella Coola Valley. In this general area you should keep your eyes open for Grizzly Bears and Black Bears as they like to feed on the Clover along the side of the gravel road. At Heckman Pass you begin the two part descent and the first 5.5 km's leads you down to the Young Creek Bridge. The last 6km, with grades of up to 18%, is marked narrow, single lane in places. There are two switch-backs, giving spectacular views of the Valley below. Be sure to take your time coming down and keep your vehicle in low gear on the steep parts using your lowest gears to hold you back. Try to avoid using your brakes too much. If they heat up you will have to pullover to let your brakes cool. Vehicles coming up the hill have the right of way so always be alert of the oncoming traffic and pull over to let them by. Once you get to the bottom of the Hill and the Valley below you will be back on the pavement. Always be watching for bears as you cruise through the upper end of the Valley as they can be wandering around anywhere in the Tweedsmuir Park area.