Travel from Osoyoos to Jasper

[MVA]

Need some advice from those that have traveled on BC-5. After the Rally, we will be going to Jasper. We have travelled on Trans-Canada Highway from Banff to Kamloops a few years ago, so we are familiar with that route. I am not familiar with BC-5 north of Kamloops. Any input from those that have frequented that route would be helpful.

thanks

 

[C&G in FL]

Clearwater was a good overnight stop on BC-5. Decent campground and a couple of great waterfalls in the vicinity worth viewing. The Mountain View’s are spectacular as you approach Jasper, and after Jasper, the Ice Fields Parkway to Banff is also a beautiful route to traverse.

 

[Mark B1]

Wells Grey Provincial Park

Wells Grey Provincial Park north of Kamloops it one my favorite parks ever. The west side of the park has nice campgrounds for tents and trailers although there are no hookups, at least the last time I was there. There are a number of relatively short and easy hikes into amazing waterfalls. To drive by and not stop if you have time would be a shame, but you want to go in for at least a couple nights as it is a few hours north of the town of Clearwater on gravel roads. I would not hesitate to pull an Escape Trailer in there. It opens on May 15th. I don't know if you need reservations that early in the season.

 

[MVA]

Thanks Mark and C&G. Perhaps I was not clear in my question. How is the route for pulling a trailer? BC-5 is shorter in distance, but is it shorter in time while towing?

thanks in advance.

 

[C&G in FL]

I cannot speak to the time as to whether or not it is shorter, it was great for towing except for one rather narrow bridge which was, if I recall correctly, on the way out of Kamloops.

 

[iamunique127]

Any route that kept me away from the insanity of the Penticton/Kelowna area would be good for towing. I have made the round trip from Osoyoos to Kelowna once in a car and never want to see it again. I find most BC highways a joy to drive compared to many places.

 

[Mark B1]

I have driven that route a few times. It is a popular route for RVers and you should have no issues. You do need to remember that at that time of the year whether can change in the mountains and you can get snow, but that applies to both routes to Jasper.

 

[gharper]

I live in Kamloops and travelled both routes with a trailer multiple times.

To get to Jasper the route via Valemount is quicker, slightly less congested in the summer and with fewer high passes to navigate. The route via Revelstoke is very pretty and has great camping along the way as previously mentioned (however, might be tough getting camping spots unless booked well ahead). Towing a trailer via the Revelstoke route will take longer than 9 hrs in the summer with traffic and road construction.

One option is go to Jasper via Valemount and come back via Revelstoke that way you will be coming down most of the steeper mountain passes. PM me if you want further information.

 

[gabeck]

I live in Kamloops and travelled both routes with a trailer multiple times.

To get to Jasper the route via Valemount is quicker, slightly less congested in the summer and with fewer high passes to navigate. The route via Revelstoke is very pretty and has great camping along the way as previously mentioned (however, might be tough getting camping spots unless booked well ahead). Towing a trailer via the Revelstoke route will take longer than 9 hrs in the summer with traffic and road construction.

One option is go to Jasper via Valemount and come back via Revelstoke that way you will be coming down most of the steeper mountain passes. PM me if you want further information.

After the rally and a couple of days in Chilliwack, we will be taking BC 5 and the Yellowhead up to Jasper ( with a couple of nights in Clearwater ) and checking the map I do not see a route traveling northward from Revelstoke ... what route did you mean please ? What are we not seeing on the map ?

 

[gharper]

The TransCanada Highway/Highway 1 East route takes you from Salmon Arm area north through Revelstoke, then Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse pass then crosses the BC/Alberta border just south of Lake Louise. From Lake Louise it's north on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

DriveBC is a good site to view the route and check for road conditions:
https://www.drivebc.ca/#welcome

 

[gabeck]

The TransCanada Highway/Highway 1 East route takes you from Salmon Arm area north through Revelstoke, then Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse pass then crosses the BC/Alberta border just south of Lake Louise. From Lake Louise it's north on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper.

DriveBC is a good site to view the route and check for road conditions:
https://www.drivebc.ca/#welcome

Oh ... Thought maybe you had another route going straight up north from Revy that we just didn't know about . From Calgary we take the Icefield's Parkway quite often . That is actually a fairly easy drive early in the season , not to much traffic .

 

[Jim Bennett]

Folks are correct that Highway 5 is a fine route to pull an RV, I too have done it a few times. A nice drive and quite easy. Definitely head down the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise, it is one of the most beautiful stretches of highway I have driven, often said to be one of the top 10 in the world.

It would be a shame to not enjoy camping in some beautiful country along the way.

I too am a huge fan of Wells Grey Provincial Park, a favourite in BC. Clearwater and Falls Creek Campgrounds (side by side) are a great place to stay with lots of things to see or do. I have canoed there a few times, did day hikes and saw some of the most cool waterfalls.

Clearwater is nice but I have never stayed there.

A couple years ago we camped in Blue River as a change when going from Jasper to Salmon Arm and was pleasantly surprised as it is a nice little town with a great small lake to swim in and relax. We went on a river jet boat ride which was nice too. Real easy to ride a bike around in too.

 

[MarkinVan]

When in Jasper, be sure to go to the Miette Hot Springs.

https://hotsprings.ca/miette/

 

[ofamily]

BC 5 is great!

We have towed our 21’ Escape on that route multiple times. It is 2 lane 2 way traffic for much of it with passing lanes. You shouldn’t have any issues. Tow in daylight, know your vehicle and you’ll be fine. It is curvy in sections so go a little slower.

The No Frills parking lot in Clearwater is a great pit stop. The parking lot by the A & W is ok too.

We’ve camped at a private campground just north of Valemount and at Mount Robson if you want an stop along the way. Mount Robson tends to need reservations but you might be okay without in May.

Jasper is fabulous; contact me if you have questions. Book camping in Jasper ASAP. It’s early in the season but Jasper campgrounds are busy. We booked ours on reservation opening day. You must keep a BARE campground… they’re serious about it.

Alberta is gorgeous but bring your bug spray! Mosquitoes are… pesky! Oh, with the dry conditions this year, don’t expect to have a campfire. Plan to cook on your camp stove or in the trailer.

Hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[Jim Bennett]

One thing you could do if staying in Jasper is to see Maligne Lake. There is a tour boat that takes you half way down to Spirit Island, likely the most photographed place in Canada. I have never done the tour boat but did canoe a couple times the full length of the lake. WOW, especially going beyond the limit of the tour boats.

Some photos.

Some of you will know Lisa and Jasper.

 

[hrewer]

Jim, this is spectacular. Was it an overnight canoe trip?

 

[Jim Bennett]

Jim, this is spectacular. Was it an overnight canoe trip?

It was. We have done this twice now, both times staying 3 nights. One of the most glorious places I have been, and I have been to many backcountry locations over the years.

 

[hrewer]

Thank you for the inspiration. That is probably more than we could manage, but the tour boat is probable. Do you think that September is a reasonable month to be in this area? I see some campgrounds would be closed, but others are open into October. I am hoping for a few less crowds.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Thank you for the inspiration. That is probably more than we could manage, but the tour boat is probable. Do you think that September is a reasonable month to be in this area? I see some campgrounds would be closed, but others are open into October. I am hoping for a few less crowds.

Both times we did the canoe trips was in September. We mostly had really good weather, though this could vary. I would not hesitate to do the tour boat trip.