The Epic Fall Color Photography Road Trip - Part 1 (Bella Coola & Dease Lake)

[@thaixgrrl]

WooHoo 🎉 Congratulations Mr. Mac! Best road trip memory was the Reno competition, it was the first time I saw the snow fall when we were there. 😎👍

[@WJMPhotography]

I miss Reno! It was always special when it snowed up there. Thank you so much for the congrats! I hope you are doing well! :)

[@EricGaildot21Studios]

Well done Bill. Appreciate the wonderful commentary and soothing tunes as well as the jaw dropping scenery. Three enthusiastic thumbs up. 👍👍👍 Cant wait for the next episode 👏

[@WJMPhotography]

Thanks Eric! It's good to finally have enough time to put a channel together after years of trying to fit photography into my very busy schedule. I appreciate your feedback!

[@marebare122]

This is so great Mr. Mac!!! I hope you’re doing super well and enjoying your wonderful travels. Thanks for sharing!! 💚💚💚

[@WJMPhotography]

Thanks Mary! I hope you are doing super well too! :)

[@crybabyeliot]

Sweet shooting Mr. Mac! Hope you’re well

[@WJMPhotography]

Thanks Eliot! I hope you are well too! Tell everyone hi for me! I hope you enjoy your break!

[@AngeloGuevarra-r9j]

Hi, how long does it take to get the viewpoint at 8:21? Is it an easy hike?

[@WJMPhotography]

Hi Angelo - It's not so much that it's a difficult hike as much as it's a bit tricky to find. I couldn't find it labeled on GAIA or other maps. The trailhead is located somewhere near McCall Flats. It's definitely steep in a few places but pretty manageable. I think it was less than an hour but don't quote me on that. You'll be tempted to just climb up the metal rungs that someone has installed into the cliff, but I think those are restricted to climbers who are leading groups only? Either way...it's a pretty spectacular view up there. :)

[@15beowulf]

Hey William, great video! I’m in Bella Coola right now and have been trying to figure out the trail to the look out on minute 8:30 of your video but havent been successful. Would you be able to provide any specifics to the name of the trail/trailhead? Thanks!

[@WJMPhotography]

Hi 360 Footprints - Thanks for watching. Great question on that trailhead. I remember it being tricky to find. It's been a year, but off of the top of my head, you have to find a pullout on the side of the road near McCall Flats and walk up the side of the road heading East before you see the trail going off into the bushes. There are metal rungs cut into the rock as you arrive at the trailhead, but I don't think you are allowed to climb those. You head off instead toward the right of the rings and you'll see a trail which will take you up. It can get warm up there in September so be sure to take plenty of water if it is sunny. I think the rings take you straight up but when I was there, there were signs stating that it was closed and for trained professionals only. I'm pretty sure the signs are for rock climbing only and not for the trail, which was steep but manageable. I'm afraid I don't have gps coordinates for you other than it was near McCall Flats. Good luck! If I find the name of the trailhead, I'll post it here. :)

[@WJMPhotography]

Just to follow up, I just had a look at Gaia, and I didn't find a trailhead named in that area. If you look at google earth or google maps at McCall Flats Recreation site, you want the area on the road right above the bend in the river. I believe the trailhead will be located where the road butts up against the rock above the river bend. On google earth, you'll notice a steep, exposed area of rock and I think this is where people do the rock climbing with the metal rungs and the cable. The trailhead should be somewhere just to the east of that steep section. Hope that helps! )

[@15beowulf]

@@WJMPhotography thanks for the replies and the very helpful hints/tips!!! I found the trailhead, hiked to the lookout, and had so much fun!

[@WJMPhotography]

Thanks for letting me know! It's definitely tricky to find, but man....what a view! So glad you found it! @@15beowulf

[@MrThejaxon]

As someone who first visited the Valley over 60 years ago I would like to point out that at about 4 min you mention that Bella Coola was settled in the late 18 century. Actually there was a village there when Alexander Mckenzie first arrived and existed quite a long time before that. It is a little disrespectful to claim that Europeans "settled" the valley. Just a mild criticism. I love your video and as a couple who loved our visits to both Bella Coola and Dease Lake we also share your enjoyment in these gorgeous places.

[@WJMPhotography]

Thank you so much for pointing that out. I'm trying to remember, but I may have gotten that info from a plaque in front of a cabin or house on the valley floor somewhere? I think "Norway" caught my eye, but I may have missed the information regarding a First Nations village prior to Mckenzie's arrival. In either case, how amazing it must have been for the inhabitants of that village to live there and for you to visit in the 1960's. I hope that area survives. The devastation in areas just South of Bella Coola now due to the bark beetles seems to be getting worse and I noticed a few dead trees in spots when I was there. And that fire that burned last year in BC....I think it went on for weeks. That valley is so pristine...I just hope it stays that way for generations to come.

[@MrThejaxon]

I think that you are right about the people who settled in what became Hagensborg. I believe they were from Norway through Wisconsin and Minnesota and were offered land by the BC government if they moved there. They were just not the first ones to settle. Moving on, I loved the video and i am planning to spend a week or two in the valley this summer and you got my blood pumping. The first time i was there i was six or seven and I’ll be in my seventies this time. @@WJMPhotography

[@MrThejaxon]

And to clarify my timeline, I was first in the valley in 1958 or 9 as a 6 year old

[@eprohoda]

how is it going?!love it.that's amazin g, do you want a promotion?,all the best.:)