Our Visitor Centre Team’s Road Trip
The Nass Valley, a must-see for anyone travelling in the Northwest, is a beautiful area rich in nature and culture. Recently, Tourism Terrace and our summer students travelled to the Nass Valley to expand our knowledge and experience of the area so that we can better answer questions about travelling through the Nass.
While most of our staff have lived and/or grew up in Terrace for the majority of their lives, this was one of our summer students’ first times ever experiencing what the Nass has to offer.
We started out around 10:00 am, heading straight to the Nass after stopping to grab some breakfast. We drove not long before stopping in Rosswood at the General Store for a quick break, before continuing on the Nisga’a Highway.
From Rosswood to Gingolx
We drove straight through to Gingolx, while admiring the beauty of the lakes in the Rosswood area, catching glimpses of, what with all of the natural wonders to admire!
When we arrived in Gingolx, we stopped for lunch at the ‘U See Food U Eat It!’ restaurant for fresh halibut and chips. We met the owner and chef, and learned through them about the upgrades that they are making to the restaurant to improve the dining experience.
“The food was delicious, the staff very friendly, and we all highly recommend that other visitors stop by for some of the freshest fish in the area!”
Beautiful scenery and friendly locals
After lunch we went for a walk around the community, and were stunned by the amount of brown and bald eagles that were not only perched on the tree tops but also flying around! It was gorgeous!
We stopped in at the local coffee shop, which is a lovely, local place for some sandwiches and coffee. We continued on our walk, and headed toward the coast to soak in the beauty of the ocean and mountains.
While heading over to the shoreline, we encountered a young, local girl, who was very excited to tell us about the area. She explained to us how the water was high this year, while riding her bike next to us as we walked along. She was a very good guide, and definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
Along the seawall of Gingolx, there was a tower viewer that allowed us to see out further into the ocean.
It was incredible watching the waves move out in the distance, as well as being able to really see the amount of seagulls and crows that were flying over the ocean.
We were also able to check out the local rec centre, which has a beautiful basketball court, and were told by the manager that they recently had a new addition- two beautifully carved totem poles.
Next up: Gitwinksihlkw
We started to head back to visit all the locations we had passed on the way to Gingolx.
First, we stopped in Gitwinksihlkw, a Nisga’a Village- also known as the ‘place of the lizards’, because “according to oral tradition, large lizards lived here before the volcanic eruption,” (Auto Tour Brochure, Nisga’a Nation), and survivors resettled the area after the lava flow cooled.
Gitwinksihlkw is home to Ukws-Ts’agat (the old suspension bridge), which is a must-stop to visit.
The bridge is suspended over the Skeena River, and is very long- and very wobbly! The Visitor Centre staff had a lot of fun walking and experiencing the swaying of the bridge, while also being able to see first hand the rushing waters of the river.
Ukws-Ts’agat has a lovely view of the surrounding area, though you should take caution when walking on it.
After the bridge, we hiked up to the viewing platform on the side of the mountain- and what a view! On this platform, you are able to see the highway, the suspension bridge, and the lava beds. It was absolutely breathtaking- a view you simply cannot beat anywhere else in the world.
After our short, family friendly, well maintained, 30 minute hike, we hit the road again and headed back south to Gitlaxt’aamiks, where we stopped for another short break at the Nisga’a Lisims Government building- another beautiful sight!
This government building was unlike any we have ever seen- it was rich in culture, and architectural design, certainly a sight to behold! We took a short bathroom break, and while waiting, we took in the beautiful traditional art and carvings that were on the walls of the building.
The waterfalls are a must see!
Next on our list was Vetter Falls. Another beautiful short hike that led to waterfalls that blanket through the forest. The viewing area is in a prime location to take in the beauty of these many waterfalls! This was also another highlight, as we had a ton of fun taking pictures, and feeling how cold the water was!
Beaupre Falls was another beautiful, short hike taking only about 5 minutes to reach this viewing deck. The single waterfall flowed into a little pool, however it was a bigger, single fall in comparison to Vetter Falls- though equal in beauty.
The mystical drowned forest
Finally, we stopped at the Drowned Forest- something very unique to the Nass. Here, the waters have flooded the local coniferous forest, ‘drowning’ them. The water is very rich in a teal colour, and flows magnificently throughout the forest. Another must-see for unique nature checkpoints!
This was the end of our Nass Auto Tour, as we headed back to Terrace shortly thereafter. It was a long but amazing and worthwhile day for us. Anyone interested in ecological phenomenons, traditional and local culture should definitely make their way down to the Nass and see what it has to offer.
Remember to pack water, some snacks, good shoes, and remember to leave these natural wonders in better shape than you found it.
Stop by the Terrace Visitor Centre for more information about the Nass Valley and the Auto Tour before you make the trip up!
Blog by Tourism Terrace
