[2023/05] Highway 1 - Lytton to Cache Creek & Ashcroft, British Columbia (Trans-Canada Highway)

We continue our journey from Vancouver to Kamloops, as we travel away from the Village of Lytton along the Trans-Canada Highway. In this video, we split away from the Fraser Canyon, and split off along another river.
We travel through the Thompson River Valley, which carries us north towards the twin villages of Ashcroft and Cache Creek. On our way up the Scenic Thompson Canyon, we pass by Spences Bridge.
Cache Creek is an important junction in BC's roadway network, and is where Highway 1 and Highway 97 join along a concurrent alignment to Kamloops. BC Highway 97C, and BC Highway 99, to Kelowna and Vancouver respectively also meet in or near Cache Creek.
Next video: Cache Creek to Kamloops, BC, Highway 1, Highway 97
filmed 1 July 2022
FreewayJim Facebook Group: / 96206174878
Camera Used: GoPro Hero 8 Black gopro.com/en/us
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[@GreatAussieDrives]

Stunningly beautiful!! A true masterpiece of a drive 😁

[@tyfrank3427]

The Thompson Canyon route is a very interesting drive. It takes me back in time. It's not the easiest drive by any means but it is definitely an experience. I honestly think the Highway 1 and TCH designation should be moved to the Coquihalla, though. The canyon is an alternate route now. Also, the exits are continuously numbered on Highway 1 from the coast, the Coq, then back to Highway 1 and it is built as a continuous route. It just seems like the logical thing to do.

[@BADBIKERBENNY]

At 3:32 is where the old highway was. Back in the day it was a level crossing. The previous under-pass was build in 1957. The new level crossing obliterated this old section of highway. 4:33 is where the old highway went and under the railway. The old bridge; re-built is still there. The road is on the right at 4:37 5:43 is the old highway again. It leads back onto the current highway 1 once you cross the 2nd bridge.

[@xlbolt]

Thanks for the insights, and info on the old highway. I find it isn’t the easiest to find information on old alignments etc, outside of the provincial historical imagery directory and comparing the satellite imagery, but even that only goes back to 1961

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

When will you go back showing videos in Quebec? Will there be more videos filmed in BC? I'd like to hear. Also, I've seen a playlist of videos in Wahsington State and I've seen that more are coming soon.

[@TheJhn924]

The TCH along the Fraser valley through to Kamloops is absolutely one of the most incredibly scenic drives in Canada. Most Canadians don't realize the desert ranch lands of the Thompson even exist... let alone that this can be in Canada at all. Well worth the extra hour's drive by bypassing the Coquihalla.

[@xlbolt]

I had driven up to Lytton only until this point, but took the chance to head up and take the extra hour the moment I had the chance to. Maybe it was the morning lighting but the dry scenery when climbing out of the valley after Spences Bridge were absolutely stunning. Definitely hope to drive here again in the summer, maybe do Hwy 8 now that it's open again

[@xlbolt]

It sure beats the Coq!

[@TheJhn924]

@@xlbolt I did hwy 8 west from Merrit once about 10 years ago due to an accident on the Coq... While it's a beautiful drive, the condition of the road even back then was pretty bad and had some scary stretches... no cell service and traffic is almost non-existent. Don't break down.

[@craigceecee8762]

In my opinion, to make the Coquihalla the TCH (which it basically is), the TCH in the Fraser Canyon should be re-designated Highway 2, since the current Highway 2 in BC is basically a short link. It's a very scenic alternative highway, but it is a minor arterial of regional importance and not a national highway today. Today's BC-2 could be renumbered 43 (to match AB-43) and another unused number could take over what is now BC-43. (Also, 5A south of Kamloops becomes 5 again, without the Yellowhead symbol, and 5 north of Kamloops should get a TCH icon.)

[@xlbolt]

Highway 2 was numbered as such since originally, Alberta Highway 2 ended there, before it got diverted, with the remnants becoming Highway 43. In my opinion, BC could definitely re-designate Highway 2 without too much issue, though redesignating 1 & 5 as you mention is definitely politically difficult. I could imagine Hwy 5 being designated similar to 16, where both Yellowhead and TCH shields are used together

[@tyfrank3427]

I agree with you 100% The Alberta side was 2 originally. That's because 43 and others were not built at that time and motorists had to go from Edmonton to Athabasca, then West to Peace River, and then down through Grimshaw to Grande Prairie and then west to Dawson Creek to get to the Alaska Highway. It wasn't until a few years ago, that Alberta used the 43 designation to go from Valleyview to the BC border. Formerly 34 to from Valleyview to Grande Prairie. I would change the highway designation of 2 north of Grande Prairie to 40 as it is South of Grande Prairie, and use 55 West of Athabasca as it is East of Athabasca to prevent confusion. On the BC Side, using the TCH 1 designation on the Coq is the logical thing to do as it's not only built as a continuous freeway, but the exits are numbered as such. The canyon can become 1A, as it's an alternate route, not the main route, or as you say 2.

[@gjswilson]

8:06 living dangerously 😲🫣

[@xlbolt]

The classic BC truck pass haha

[@gjswilson]

@@xlbolt 😄

[@TheJhn924]

Passing on a double solid @ 3:05... tsk- tsk.

[@centinelroads]

That’s a classic BC highway moment