Hanceville: Trail History on Highway 20

Hanceville is about 92 km west of Williams Lake on Highway 20. The road continues through Hanceville to Anahim Lake and Bella Coola. This location helps you place the community on a trip along the highway and consider the direction of your onward journey. If you are looking for a hotel, local history, trail connections, and the road ahead may each be reasons to choose Hanceville as a destination. The following topics can help you distinguish local connections from destinations across the wider Cariboo region.

Local History and Trails

The Hanceville area was originally called Lee's Corner, after Norman Lee. Historic Hanceville is located on the site of an early ranch belonging to Tom Hance. A local story connects Norman Lee with a long cattle drive: in winter, he tried to drive a herd of cattle 2,500 km through this rugged land. The former name, the ranch site, and Lee's story offer different insights into the community's history.

The history of the trails is also closely connected to the area. Trails used by First Nations people on horseback and on foot from Hanceville and the Taseko Lakes to the Bridge River now form a large part of the trail network in South Chilcotin Mountains Park.

Facilities and Route Planning

A new outdoor ice rink was built in Hanceville for the Yunesit'in community. It is a year-round recreational facility for Yunesit'in community members of all ages. The facility serves the community itself and, as a local point of interest, is distinct from the historic trails and regional routes.

Two details are useful when travelling to Nu Chugh Beniz Campground in Ts'ilɂos Provincial Park: access is via Highway 20 to Hanceville; from there, a 121 km gravel road leads through Konni Lake and the Nemiah Valley to the campground. This describes both access via the highway and the route from Hanceville. Road conditions can vary, so check them before setting out.

More Destinations in the Wider Cariboo Region

Elsewhere in the wider Cariboo region, other trails offer different areas of focus. The Bullion Pit Low Mobility Trail offers a view of a man-made canyon from the Gold Rush era. The Telegraph Trail is the approximately 275 km section of the Collins Overland Telegraph Trail and its successor, the Yukon Telegraph Trail, that lies within the Cariboo Regional District. The remaining sections are used as recreational trails by hikers and people interested in the province's history. The Cariboo Regional District's trail network also includes 22 wheelchair-accessible trails spread across the region. These regional examples complement Hanceville's local trail history with aspects of the Gold Rush and the province's history.

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