BC and Alberta Road Trip - Chapter 1 - Vancouver to Clinton
Seton Lake lookout, Duffey Lake Road near Lillooet, BC, Canada
This is the First Chapter from our BC and Alberta Road Trip in the fall of 2025. In late September, early October we set out on a 2,250 km (1,400 Miles) road trip with a main objective to experience the fall colours in BCs Coastal Mountains, interior, and the Alberta Rockies.
In an unconvential way for us, we will index this post by our mileage markers and share with you anything that comes to mind, from the mundane to the extraordinary.
BC and Alberta Fall Road Trip Map
Our trip was 2250 km (1400 miles) long, to and from Vancouver, via Whistler, Clinton, Valemont, Mt. Robson, Jasper, Banff, and Radium Hot Srpings
6 km, Tim Hortons
After just 6 km, hunger strikes. Bagel belts, and coffee at Tim Hortons in North Vancouver. We called a Whistler hotel from the parking lot, spoke with a real human, got a decent rate, and requested early check-in, which was okay. Whister was not too busy this time of year.
130 km, Whistler
Arrived at Whistler at the Executive Mountainside Hotel. We lucked out and were upgraded to an excellent suite with a view, a sleeping loft, a kitchen, and a sauna. We settled in for a cup of hot water with lemon. We both felt a nap was coming.
After a quick nap, we went shopping in Whistler, looking for used rental skis and jackets, checking out the stores. A pair of Rossignol performance skis was $300.00, but I decided to pass.
We bumped into our son-in-law, Simon, and his parents, Karen and Kristian, and had a quick chat. Dinner would be in our suite, and we found a grocery store easily.
Our dinner menu: Chicken noodle soup with cheese buns made by Karen. After dinner, we went for a swim in the outdoor pool on a windy and cold evening, and then watched a couple of episodes of Slow Horses.
We spent the morning relaxing. Di did yoga.
Motel in Clinton, BC
133 km - Coffee
In need of coffee, we hit a Been Around the World Coffee shop on our way out of Whistler. It was a cozy spot with a good atmosphere, with about two dozen patrons.
159 km - Nairns Falls
From the parking lot, the hike to and from Nairns Falls is an easy 2.5 km (1.6 miles). We would rate this a nice stop on a road trip, but perhaps not breathtaking. If it is your first time on this stretch of highway, however, it is worth a stop.
Nairs falls north of Whistler
165 km - Pemberton Mt. Currie
Gas stop in Pemberton - Fill her up, son, unleaded. I need a full tank of gas for where I am headed (Sting). Took photos of Mount Currie, which comes into view right from the Petro Can gas station. Incredible.
232 km - Roger Creek
We stopped a few times along Highway 99 for photos and also pulled over at Roger Creek by the river, where we made soup and hot water with our small propane burner. We brought the coffee from home. It was a relaxing stop and a nice break.
Roger Creek lunch and coffee stop
371 Km - Cariboo Lodge, Clinton
Cariboo Lodge in Clinton. Upon check-in, we realized we had booked the wrong night, but the front desk sorted it out.
I took the camera for a walk at dusk in this quaint Cariboo town and photographed the old churches, businesses along the highway, motel signs, and anything I found interesting.
Di went to the Chinese restaurant and ordered us fabulous meals. By the time we ate, we were the only ones in the place. We shut it down at 8 pm. It was the best Chinese meal we’d had in a long time.
After dinner and back at the Cariboo Lodge, I edited photos while a Canucks hockey game played in the background.
We had a decent sleep and woke up to a rather pleasant morning, and we’re headed northeast.
To be continued.
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The photos in this article are made using a Leica SL2-S, Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.2, Voigtänder Nokton 28mm f/1.5, and Panasonic Lumix S PRO 70-200mm f/4 OIS lenses. (links to my camera and lens reviews).
