Tothill
BC
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Joined: 06/15/2007
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TC285 wrote:This summer we are planning to drive from California to Banff and Jasper and on to Calgary and then to Glacier. So far we have decided to highway 5 to the 9 in Washington. Our next highway would be 1 to Merrit, 97c to Kelowna. We want to spend some time in the Kelowna area, and then on to Banff and Jasper using the 97 to Highway 1 again then on into Banff. We will be stopping along the way.
After searching the archives, I could not find the info that I wanted. What are those roads like? I know they will be mountainous and somewhat windy. We have a 34 foot gas RV and pull a CRV. What should we expect from the roads, except beautiful scenery.
Thanks,
The TCH does not go to Merritt. You leave it at Hope and take Hwy 5 to Merritt.
We have a 27' class C and choose not to take the Coquihalla. The grades are steep and long.
Also the TCH from Hope up through the Canyon is an incredibly beautiful drive. You can take the TCH to Spences's Bridge and then head to Merritt along the old road (I do not know the number off the top of my head).
Hwy 3 from Hope through Princeton is a pretty route too. Windier and more hills but one of our other favs.
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TC285
San Jose, California
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Joined: 05/30/2002
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Thanks for all the imput, it will help us make up our minds about the route. What is the TCH?
We are really looking forward to the trip. All your help has been great.
Thanks,
Ted and Claire
Ted and Claire
San Jose, Ca
2001 National "Sea View" Class A V-10
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larryandpaula
Vancouver BC
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Joined: 10/23/2006
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TCH = trans canada hwy (or Hwy#1) - our only real 'interstate' in Canada. Goes across the whole country!
I have to agree with Gary's route - very nice.
Have a great trip whatever you decide!
Paula
Larry, Paula and Two Kids (ages 6 & 4)
2006 Dodge Ram Power Wagon
2007 Jayco Jay Flight 20BH
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paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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Wiki has articles on all the numbered BC highways. Here for example is 5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_5
I've also seen descriptions of these highways from a motorcyclist's point of few, which in some regards is opposite that of an RVer.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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Please don't refer to Canada's Highways as Interstates ! They may be Inter Provincial , but never Interstate.
The TCH Trans Canada Highway or Highway #1 is a decent Highway that is funded by the Federal Government. All other Highways are Provincial !
Rob & Jean
Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..Tracker 4X2
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larryandpaula
Vancouver BC
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robatthelake wrote:Please don't refer to Canada's Highways as Interstates ! They may be Inter Provincial , but never Interstate.
The TCH Trans Canada Highway or Highway #1 is a decent Highway that is funded by the Federal Government. All other Highways are Provincial !
Wow, aren't you the picky one! I merely used the word interstate (in quotes...hello!) to draw a correlation between interprovincial highways and interstates for an American member.
Your statement isn't 100% correct either. If you want to get technical, look it up on Wikipedia - you may learn something. I certainly did.
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paulj
Seattle
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Yellowhead (16) is also interprovincial, part of the TCH system. Some consider 5 as a spur off of 16, connecting it to 1 at Hope.
The designation for 3, Crowsnest, also carries over from BC to Alberta (so it is Trans-Provincial). In a curious 'inter-country' sort of way, the numbers of several US highways carry over into BC (99, 97,95, 93).
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paulj
Seattle
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Here's a map of the Canadian Nationa Highway System, from Transportation Canada
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paulj
Seattle
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Here's a page with an elevation profile for Hwy 5, though it does not indicate the grade on any section. It is described as being up to interstate/autobahn standards. In the US interstates are limited to 6% grades. The site has profiles for other segments of the TCH.
http://www.transcanadahighway.com/BritishColumbia/TCH-BC-E6.htm
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Bob N Deb
B.C.
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Joined: 11/04/2007
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A lot of this depends on what you want fast or scenic not that the freeways aren't sometimes interesting
I live in BC and have made the trip to and from Cal. We like to take Hwy 97 north from Weed Cal. you can take that all the way to Kelowna It as great scenery lots of places to stop we have gonr this way in both a 28ft and 33ft motorhome and it is enjoyable. if you like wine there are aprox.100 wineries from the US border north to Kelowna. there are lots of campgrounds in the area Oliver, Osoyoos,
Penticton, Kelowna if you can take your time this is the way I would go.
Bob
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