Blackwater-Spruce Ranch: Heritage Trail
Certification (Government of British Columbia)
We
are fully licensed and authorized by the provincial government to provide
guide services to travel on this part of our history. The staff are trained
in First Aid skills and have many years of camping experience along the rivers
and trails from the West Road River to the Great Road (Grease Trail).
Horse experience is not required, but a willingness to be on or around them
is a must. Our horses are calm and respond to gentle but firm people. Anyone
interested in making a trip like this should be in good physical condition
and be able to withstand the wrath of mother nature.
Please follow the instructions for clothing - your safety and comfort will
depend on it. All bags including the tents and camping gear we supply - will
be weighed. Overpacking will not be allowed, but you can keep a clean change
of clothes for your return. Your possessions are safe at home base where you
will find cabins and the main lodge. Yes, shower facilities are available
when we roll back into the Ranch.
In 1793 the aboriginal people guided Alexander Mackenzie from the Fraser River
to the Pacific Ocean along the Nuxalk-Carrier grease trail. This historic
trail is regarded as one of the major east-west aboriginal trade routes with
a record of more than 6,000 years of use. In order to protect the prehistoric,
historic and aboriginal values along the trail and trail corridor, the Management
Plan was agreed upon in 1993.
The Coordinating Committee Members are made up of members from the Ministry
of Forests (Cariboo Forest Region, Quesnel, Prince George and Vanderhoof),
Ministry of Tourism, Ministry (Responsible for Culture) Archaeology Branch,
Grease Trail Management Council (Nazko, Kluskus and Ulkatcho Bands).
All of the groups involved recognizes the prehistoric and historic importance
of the Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail.
The trail corridor is a 200 meter strip, 100 meters on either side of the
center line. It has been designated as a heritage trail by the Heritage Conservation
Act and as a recreation trail under the Forest Act. Under the agreement to
manage the Heritage Trail, the licence holders have agreed to protect the
prehistoric, historic and aboriginal resource values along the trail and the
trail corridor. They also ensure that BC Archaeological Impact Assessment
Guidelines are followed. The also agree to provide awareness, appreciation
and conservation of the heritage resources of the trail. They also monitor
the activities along the trail.