Day 2 is when this rail
journey travels through northern British Columbia, paralleling the waterway for which it
is named -- the Skeena River.
This tri-weekly service begins in Jasper,
Alberta or Prince Rupert, British Columbia for a spectacular 2-day, all daylight journey,
with a mid-way stop in Prince George, British Columbia where passengers spend the night in
local accommodations.
|
The route
is Canada’s best kept scenic secret enjoyed by locals, and visitors from Europe,
United States and other parts of the world. |
Travelling west on day 2,
departing Prince George in the morning, the sights viewed from the dome car windows
include the Kathleen Glacier and the rugged Bulkley Canyon.
Then, in the early afternoon, the first
glimpse of The Skeena River is offered as the train crosses high above B.C’s
second largest river system.
With lush forests and coastal mountains rising
out of the river’s shores, passengers can understand why the Nisga’a First
Nations People named it the Skeena River, which translated means River of Mists.
The river remains on the north side of the
tracks, becoming increasingly wider with the numerous creeks and tributaries that feed the
river.
After the train stops in Terrace, British
Columbia, for some departing adventure tourists and fisherman, the river is so close you
can almost feel your feet getting wet.
In fact, in years passed, high water spilled
over the tracks in this area. Today, the only problem, and it is a good one to have, is
having enough film to capture the eagles above or a picture of the rare, all-white,
Kermode (spirit) bear.
Then, the train makes a brief stop at the North
Pacific Cannery, which opened in 1889, and passengers get a great view of the area's
premier attraction.
The cannery, with its riverside location, is a
community on land and stilts with 23 heritage buildings connected by boardwalks along 18
waterfront acres.
The cannery operated until 1981 and was
preserved as part of a community effort to tell the story of the north-west coastal
fishing industry.
Today this fishing village is a National
Historic Site, and the best preserved example of the more than 200 villages that once
dotted the cost but are now gone.
Each season, over 15,000 visitors to the site
view the numerous displays, the restored canning line, stay at the Waterfront Inn heritage
hotel, or are entertained by the live theatre with performances of 'The Skeena River
Story' or the 'People of the Salmon Show'.
Then the train travels a few more miles to the
end of the line, at Prince Rupert.
 You can experience this journey on a
Rail Travel Tours guided
tour, that includes attractions in the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba before travelling on VIA
Rail’s Canadian to Jasper, Alberta.
The group then travels on VIA Rail’s
Skeena in Totem Class, with outstanding views of the wildlife and incredible
scenery from the dome car including the Canadian Rockies, the Coastal Mountains and Skeena
River during this two day, all-daylight journey.
© Daryl T. Adair |
