Chase Culture and History

Located at the southern end of Little Lake Valley in the mountainous eastern region in the south Thompson River Valley, is the small town of Chase, known as the gateway to the valley, an area known for its spectacular landscapes, beautiful lakes, recreation and splendor and the fantastic four seasons.

Mount Scatchard and Mount Boysee dominates the southern horizon, while the northern side of the South Thompson River Valley is defined by Valley Highlands rise to 1830 meters.

Chase was named in honor of a New York carpenter Whitfield Chase, one of the more unfortunate prospectors. Having first come to Canada during the 1858 Gold Rush, he settled in the area in 1865 to try farm work, becoming the first non-native settler that farmed and raised a family in what was then called The Valley Prairie.

Before the town of Chase existed (before 1908) the largest center was called the Valley, and was located about five kilometers west of the current site. During the day, Canadian Pacific Railway, Chase worked as a turnaround terminal for steam engines used to power eastbound trains over the hill on the east side of town.

On the western edge of the famous Valley in the heart of the BC interior, Chase offers a beach, campsites, a floating dock and boat launch facilities. Sailing, kayaking, fishing, golfing, hiking and mountain biking are popular pursuits in the warm and sunny climate Chase.

Location: Chase is located on the Trans-Canada Highway 1 in the Valley region of BC, at the confluence of the Little Lake Valley and the South Thompson River, approximately 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Kamloops and 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Salmon Arm.

Reflecting on life as it was on this earth beside Little Lake Valley, at Chase Museum & Archives. A glimpse of the hard work, primitive living conditions, and the challenge of survival for the early settlers. View appears on early breeding work, logging, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and Valley First Nations history. The Chase Museum is located in a former church building on Valley Avenue.

Show Chase Falls, follow the Chase Creek a short distance from Chase Creek rest area on the east side of Highway 1st

At the rest area is a sign that describes the remains of some Indian Valley semi-underground log roof pithouses used in winter, called kekulis. The word comes from kekuli kick Willie or keekwulee Chinook word for during or after.

In highland valley area southwest of Sorrento, hike the gentle trails in Niskonlith Lake Provincial Park in autumn to see a wealth of migratory birds. The park offers camping in a lushly forested areas environment, sheltered by towering Cottonwood. Spring wildflowers bloom in extraordinary abundance, as birds make their northern migration through this part of the valley highlands. Come fall, the birds are back. The park is open from April to October. Fishing and casual hiking are both good reasons to camp here. Take mostly gravel road off Hwy 1 about 15 km northwest of Chase.

Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park has several beautiful walks and moderate hikes; Lower Trail System provides access to viewing the salmon run along the Adams River. You should not miss the Reinecker Creek self-guided nature walk here, which leads to Margaret Falls. Roderick Haig-Brown was a magistrate, writer, angler, and keep dedicated to preserving, among other wildlife, the sockeye salmon so key to British Columbia's economy. He even wrote a poem about salmon, which is shown in its entirety on a plaque in the park named after him. The 988 acre park includes the entire length of Adams River, the place where the largest sockeye salmon run on the West Coast. There is an excellent interpretive area that explains the whole phenomenal trek. A 'dominant' run happens every four years, followed by several years with very small editions. The sockeye are joined by Chinook, coho salmon, and pink salmon. The timing of late summer / early fall salmon run depend on temperature, rainfall and water levels. If you want to see it at its best, call BC Parks' district office in Kamloops. Many wild animals live in this park, including bears, beavers and river otters.

Valley Lake Provincial Park is wildly popular. Everything you need for summer fun is right here: camping, picnic king, fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, hiking, windsurfing, sailing, houseboating, water skiing, nature study, photography, visitor programs, and cycling. With 12 kilometer paved trails, Lake Valley can also be cycling capital of the BC Parks system. The park is open in the fall during the Adams River salmon run.

Golf: Golf Course Sunshore on Hysop Road on the banks of Little Lake Valley offers a challenging 4,865-yard, par-67 public course in beautiful surroundings. Arriving by car or dock your boat adjacent to the 8th tee! Golf Holidays in the valley, BC.

The family-friendly Harper Mountain ski hill is located 10 miles (16 km) east of Kamloops offers great Okanogan Powder for downhill skiers and snowboarders, as well as night skiing, Cross Country trails and snowboarding - all at affordable prices.

Canoeists call Chase for the 60-kilometer canoe trip down the Thompson River to Kamloops. More information about recreation in the Thompson Okanogan.

East of Chase Lake vacation community of Sorrento on the shores of Lake Valley. Like Chase, Sorrento offers a superb range of recreational activities both summer and winter.

South of the Chase is the community of Falkland. A side trip to the Falkland Islands is not complete without stopping at Pillar Lake. Hikers, rockhounds, photographers and nature lovers will enjoy the column, a 90-foot unique geological conglomerate of dirt and rock that can be reached via a short hike. A giant bony finger, the Falkland Hoodoo Point Skyward right balance between an uncertain up to eight-tonne boulders on its tip.

West of Chase City Kamloops scattered at the confluence of North and South Thompson Rivers in the Thompson Valley. Water is not the only one that lives up to here, Trans-Canada Highway, the yellowhead Hwy and Highway 97 all meet in Kamloops, as do the two national rail lines, CP and CN.

See the best of BC when you embark on one of the many circle tours that take in Vancouver Island, Discovery Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Winelands internal or external northern British Columbia. The coastal tours involve exciting rail, road and ferry trips, which is half the fun to travel in British Columbia. Scenic roads flank the coast that takes you through charming beachside communities, rolling farmlands and majestic mountain ranges. Start your journey here and now, by selecting from one of the Circle Tours, designed to help you plan your journey by road through beautiful British Columbia.