Circle Tour from Merritt BC
Circle Tour from Merritt BC
Logan Lake Ashcroft Lac LeJeune
One of many road trips starting from the Nicola Valley
When I decide to take a Circle Tour from Merritt BC I tend to head out when it is not the optimum time to visit these places. Therefore I include items in the blog that pertain to other times of the year so that you can see what it is like at any time of the year. That is what road trips are all about.
Circle Tour from Merritt BC Starts In Logan Lake
The first part of our road trip from Merritt heads out Highway 8 to Mamette Lake Road (Hwy 97C). At anytime of the year the scenery is beautiful. In the Spring you can see the beauty of the landscape coming alive with all the various shades of green. The summer brings out the pastoral scenery with the cattle and horses out grazing and the loveliness of Mamette Lake. The Fall showcases the magnificent colours of the trees and shrubs.
While all these seasons are great, the beauty of the area is stunning with the snow covered trees and pasture land. As you travel along Mamette Lake Road (Hwy 97C) You will come to Left Field Cidery which produces one of the best apple ciders you can find.
Left Field Cidery-Tom Reynolds Photo
Ice Fishing on the Circle Tour from Merritt
Just a little way past Left Field Cidery you come upon Mamette Lake. In the warmer months you can do the canoeing, kayaking and fishing thing but in winter the main activity is ice fishing.
Ice Fishing Mamette Lake. Tom Reynolds Photo.
Logan Lake on the Circle Tour from Merritt
After leaving Mamette Lake you arrive at the intersection of Hwy 97C and Hwy 97D. Turning right takes you to the District of Logan Lake. The District is home to many of the miners who work at Highland Valley Copper. Because of the mine, Logan Lake has amenities that exceed many other towns of their size.
Snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and ice fishing are favourite outdoor activities. The community centre boasts an ice rink as well.
Logan Lake Tom Reynolds Photo
The above photo is of frozen Logan Lake where you can snowshoe or cross-country ski around the lake.
Logan Lake by Design
Logan Lake’s claim to fame is that it was established to house the miners that worked at Highland Valley Copper. The town was established in the early 1970’s and was designed from the ground up using the planning theories of the era. The town centre is a plaza where cars are not allowed. It is necessary to park in the lots on the outside of the village square and walk into the shops.
Logan Lake Town Centre-Tom Reynolds Photo
Other Activities on Circle Tour from Merritt
Logan Lake is packed with activities in the warmer months of the year. For example, there are numerus trails for ATV’s. In fact Logan Lakes promotes this use. If that is not your cup of tea you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and hiking. If it is out doors Logan Lake has it.
The Circle Tour from Merritt Moves to Ashcroft
The next part of the circle tour from Merritt BC follows highway 97C to Ashcroft. Along the way you pass the massive copper mine, Highland Valley Copper which is one of the largest open pit mines in North America. During the warm months you can see the huge slag lake which is an amazing shade of blue.
Highland Valley Copper-Tom Reynolds Photo
Ashcroft is an inspiring community
When we arrived in Ashcroft it was lunch time so we sought out a place to have lunch and it the jackpot, Unitea café and lounge. The food was fresh and delicious but more importantly the owner was a fountain of information about the community. They have a strong arts community for both art and performing arts. In fact the cafe is home to regular music concerts on their premises.
Unitea-Tom Reynolds Photo
Ashcroft has an interesting museum and heritage park that attracts a lot of attention in the summer months’
Ashcroft museum-Tom Reynolds Photo
The Circle Tour from Merritt The Last Lap
Heading to Hwy 1 takes you past the turn off to Dessert Hills Ranch where you can get all sorts of locally grown vegetables and if hungry a Taco. Once you reach the highway you want to go east towards Kamloops where you will come to Cache Creek, home of Ane’s Pizza and bakery which is home to the best fruit pie around.
Continuing on towards Kamloops you will pass Savona which is on Kamloops Lake. This is followed by the Tobiano Golf Course. You will then reach the Coquihalla Highway that will take you back to Merritt BC Canada.
Lac Le Jeune the Final Stop
Lac Lejeune is more a summertime playground but right next to it is the Stake Lake Nordic Ski Park. If you are into cross country skiing this is a great place for you. The trails are well groomed and you can find trails for all ski levels. Myself I love the green trails.
Stake Lake
When you leave this area you are just one half hour away from Merritt!
Circle Tour from Merritt BC
Logan Lake Ashcroft Lac LeJeune
One of many tours starting from the Nicola Valley
Nicola Valley Travel and Tourism Guides
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