About the Region
Lillooet is a collection of communities, situated on the Fraser River, between the Bridge River and Seton River. The District of Lillooet is the commercial and residential centre. It’s surrounded by the St’at’imc communities of T’it’q’et, Se’k’welwas, Xwisten, Xaxli’p, Ts’kw’aylaxw. Down Seton Lake is Tsal’alh.
The landscape here is striking: The Coast Mountains form a phalanx to the west, broken by rivers and the emerald green waters of Seton Lake. To the east rise the sheer cliffs of Fountain Ridge, beyond which the landscape gradually gives way to the more gentle hills of the Interior. The Fraser River, running north to south, splits the valley and has provided fish for the St’at’imc people, who have inhabited and provided stewardship on their unceded territory for thousands of years.
The climate varies: from the near-desert of the valley floor (yes, there are cactus) to alpine meadows high above. To the south and west, tall peaks pull most of the remaining moisture from the pacific storm clouds. North and east, the mountains are noticeably dryer. Aspect is also key. North slopes can almost feel coastal, whereas the same mountain’s south slope may be Douglas Fir-Ponderosa grasslands.
The species making home here are equally varied. The climate in the valley is like the Okanagan, and much of the flora and fauna is similar. The mountains see a unique blend of coastal and interior inhabitants, making for unusually rich biodiversity.
Getting Here
Routes
There are 3 primary access routes to Lillooet:
- Hwy 12 from Lytton/Hwy1 Hwy 12
- Hwy 99 South, from Hwy 97 between Cache Creek and Clinton From Hwy 97
- Hwy 99 North, From Sea to Sky Corridor Hwy 99
- A fourth, secondary route can bring you from Pemberton, via Gold Bridge, using the Hurley FSR and Road 40. This can be rough and dusty in the summer. The Hurley is not open in winter. The Hurley
Common Issues
In this mountainous landscape, the earth is dynamic. Landslides occur, as do avalanches in winter, there is occasional rockfall and the roads can be steep, winding, with big drop-offs. The scenery is spectacular, take your time and enjoy it. If there are cars behind, do the right thing: pull over, let them pass, then relax.
Drive conservatively, obey all traffic warnings, be prepared for deer, bighorn sheep, or bears to jump out in front of you. Dodge may build Ram’s, but you don’t want one in your radiator.
Visit the Lillooet Brewing Company
Visitors to Lillooet need a place to stop in and ask questions about Lillooet’s vast wilderness. We want our brewery to be the town’s ‘wildlife headquarters’. A place for people to converge, discuss, plan and explore. We hope your journey will motivate you to learn more about the wildlife unique to our area and seek to find ways to protect their populations and habitat.
