Best BC Roads?

Drexster · 03-11-2010, 07:04 PM

Hey everyone.

I've been eagerly anticipating receiving my car and have already planned a few road trips with my buddy and his GTR

I want to start a thread to discuss some of the best/better driving roads in and around British Columbia.

The first tour I'm planning on doing is going to be the "break-in", roughly 1,080 KM. I've mapped it out using google maps for quick and easy reference.

Nissan Road Trip #1 - Google Maps

Basically it's taking the 99 highway north from Vancouver (aka sea-to-sky), continuing passed Whistler to Kamloops then Vernon for the night.
From Vernon drive to Kelowna then to Merritt on the 97, take the 8 to the 1 back to Vancouver.

I'm not sure how the road conditions are for most of this tour, aside from the Sea to Sky and the #1. Is this crazy to do? Obviously we want to avoid gravel, snow or construction. I've heard the highway past Whistler can get gravely?

Probably wont be going for another month at least.
What roads do you guys recommend?

Cheers!

Nikon FM · 03-11-2010, 11:20 PM

From I5 at the border I made my way to Highway 3 to Penticton. That was a pretty nice road during the summer.

kevin.z · 03-13-2010, 12:25 AM

marine dr after lions gate to towards horseshoe bay is also very good driving road. very windy and different elevations.

FricFrac · 03-13-2010, 02:48 AM

I challenge anyone to find a twisty/turny road more so than this one It's a crazy road. The satelite view doesn't do the road the justice it deserves. Its narrow and hilly not to mention twisty.... and newly paved as well.

IDZRVIT · 03-13-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

I challenge anyone to find a twisty/turny road more so than this one It's a crazy road. The satelite view doesn't do the road the justice it deserves. Its narrow and hilly not to mention twisty.... and newly paved as well.

Beautiful area. I almost bought a piece of land up there to build a house back in 1989. Ended up buying in Colwood near the bottom of Triangle Mtn. Oh how I miss the Victoria weather....

Drexster · 03-16-2010, 12:29 PM

Marine drive is awesome! Great for a leisurely Sunday cruise or midnight romp.

A friend of mine showed me the gold river highway on the island. Says its an amazing drive through the rain forest, follows rivers, waterfalls etc. and it's newly paved and rarely driven. Only problem as far as i can tell is GoldRiver (the town or outpost or whatever it is) is a dead end!

Campbell River, BC, Canada to Gold River, BC, Canada - Google Maps

Combine that bit with the old Island Highway and you've got yourself a very scenic and challenging drive.

Has anyone on the island done this route? Care to comment?

FricFrac · 03-16-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drexster

Marine drive is awesome! Great for a leisurely Sunday cruise or midnight romp.

A friend of mine showed me the gold river highway on the island. Says its an amazing drive through the rain forest, follows rivers, waterfalls etc. and it's newly paved and rarely driven. Only problem as far as i can tell is GoldRiver (the town or outpost or whatever it is) is a dead end!

Campbell River, BC, Canada to Gold River, BC, Canada - Google Maps

Combine that bit with the old Island Highway and you've got yourself a very scenic and challenging drive.

Has anyone on the island done this route? Care to comment?

I haven't tried that road but I'm definately going to have to check it out. No reason to go to a dead end hick town 'cept for a random cruise

I've got a cruise that is absolutely amazing.... the top part is on a paved logging road that was just done last year and all the guys with the crotch rockets are frequenting it since its not a public highway (eg - not patroled by the PoPo) Gets a little bumpy on the way up to Renfrew but its all paved now. There are countless places to go driving on the Island with fantastic sceanery.... if anyone ever comes over give us a heads up and we'll take you for a cruise! Any excuse will do!

Port Renfrew Loop - All day cruise - Google Maps

Drexster · 03-22-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

I haven't tried that road but I'm definately going to have to check it out. No reason to go to a dead end hick town 'cept for a random cruise

I've got a cruise that is absolutely amazing.... the top part is on a paved logging road that was just done last year and all the guys with the crotch rockets are frequenting it since its not a public highway (eg - not patroled by the PoPo) Gets a little bumpy on the way up to Renfrew but its all paved now. There are countless places to go driving on the Island with fantastic sceanery.... if anyone ever comes over give us a heads up and we'll take you for a cruise! Any excuse will do!

Port Renfrew Loop - All day cruise - Google Maps

That does look like a pretty nice cruise!
I'll definitely be making it down to the island soon.

Yoh FricFrac, how do you like your Stillen exhaust and intake? I'm undecided between FI or Stillen for exhaust. But was thinking G3 intake for sure, but then was told by my shop it's not the best match with the weather out here.

d15b7 · 05-24-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drexster

A friend of mine showed me the gold river highway on the island. Says its an amazing drive through the rain forest, follows rivers, waterfalls etc. and it's newly paved and rarely driven. Only problem as far as i can tell is GoldRiver (the town or outpost or whatever it is) is a dead end!

Combine that bit with the old Island Highway and you've got yourself a very scenic and challenging drive.

Has anyone on the island done this route? Care to comment?

That road is superb. Twisty and very light traffic. I went there thrice just for the funs, even though I live in lower mainland.

Drexster · 05-25-2010, 03:42 PM

Drove the crows nest pass through EC Manning park this long weekend. Awesome drive with superb scenery and twisting winding roads. Continued along to Penticton then up to Kelowna. From there went south (2km before the kelowna bridge) onto Westside Rd. Which i have to say is really, truly amazing. Not only does it follow okanogan lake, is practically desolate of any traffic even Victoria day, but the combination of steep inclines and rapid turns makes for a true mountain road. There were a few nasty patches (pot holes, minor gravel etc) near the rural sections, but drive slow and you're good.

I then did a trial run in a friends car from Kamloops to Vancouver through Whistler on the 99. It was good highway for the most part, however sometime after Marble Canyon to Pemberton, near Fountain Valley I'd say the roads are inappropriate for a Z. Far too many pot holes and stretches of gravel. I would have cried if i was in my new car...

Overall great weekend of driving!
Planning on going to the island next time.

wheee! · 03-16-2010, 01:18 PM

I vote for Kelowna to Penticton, Penticton to Naramata (for God's sake! Stop at the wineries!!!) then back to Penticton. The Naramata bench is a fantastic short drive on it's own. From there FORGET THE COQUIHALLA!! Take the twisties thru to Princeton and Hope; guaranteed best drive to Vancouver EVER!!!!

Drexster · 03-16-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

I vote for Kelowna to Penticton, Penticton to Naramata (for God's sake! Stop at the wineries!!!) then back to Penticton. The Naramata bench is a fantastic short drive on it's own. From there FORGET THE COQUIHALLA!! Take the twisties thru to Princeton and Hope; guaranteed best drive to Vancouver EVER!!!!

NICE! that looks pretty awesome actually. I'll definitely try this out in the summer.

wheee! · 03-16-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drexster

NICE! that looks pretty awesome actually. I'll definitely try this out in the summer.

I'll see you there! I will be cruising the Okanagan the first two weeks of August. I used to live in Naramata....

Jules · 03-16-2010, 08:52 PM

Hwy 99 going to whistler ! Very nice and twisty.
Brand new pavement that was done prior the olympic so still new !

kevin.z · 03-17-2010, 01:01 AM

i am so down man!

03-11-2010, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Drexster Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 34 Drives: 40th Anniversary Rep Power: 16	Best BC Roads? Hey everyone. I've been eagerly anticipating receiving my car and have already planned a few road trips with my buddy and his GTR I want to start a thread to discuss some of the best/better driving roads in and around British Columbia. The first tour I'm planning on doing is going to be the "break-in", roughly 1,080 KM. I've mapped it out using google maps for quick and easy reference. Nissan Road Trip #1 - Google Maps Basically it's taking the 99 highway north from Vancouver (aka sea-to-sky), continuing passed Whistler to Kamloops then Vernon for the night. From Vernon drive to Kelowna then to Merritt on the 97, take the 8 to the 1 back to Vancouver. I'm not sure how the road conditions are for most of this tour, aside from the Sea to Sky and the #1. Is this crazy to do? Obviously we want to avoid gravel, snow or construction. I've heard the highway past Whistler can get gravely? Probably wont be going for another month at least. What roads do you guys recommend? Cheers!

03-11-2010, 11:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 607	From I5 at the border I made my way to Highway 3 to Penticton. That was a pretty nice road during the summer. __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

03-13-2010, 02:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
FricFrac A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 1,481 Drives: 370Z 300ZX 280ZX 240 Rep Power: 229	I challenge anyone to find a twisty/turny road more so than this one It's a crazy road. The satelite view doesn't do the road the justice it deserves. Its narrow and hilly not to mention twisty.... and newly paved as well. __________________ '09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra // Last edited by FricFrac; 03-13-2010 at 02:51 AM.

03-16-2010, 12:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Drexster Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 34 Drives: 40th Anniversary Rep Power: 16	Gold River hwy Marine drive is awesome! Great for a leisurely Sunday cruise or midnight romp. A friend of mine showed me the gold river highway on the island. Says its an amazing drive through the rain forest, follows rivers, waterfalls etc. and it's newly paved and rarely driven. Only problem as far as i can tell is GoldRiver (the town or outpost or whatever it is) is a dead end! Campbell River, BC, Canada to Gold River, BC, Canada - Google Maps Combine that bit with the old Island Highway and you've got yourself a very scenic and challenging drive. Has anyone on the island done this route? Care to comment?

03-16-2010, 01:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	I vote for Kelowna to Penticton, Penticton to Naramata (for God's sake! Stop at the wineries!!!) then back to Penticton. The Naramata bench is a fantastic short drive on it's own. From there FORGET THE COQUIHALLA!! Take the twisties thru to Princeton and Hope; guaranteed best drive to Vancouver EVER!!!! __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

03-13-2010, 12:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
kevin.z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: vancouver(shipping:WA Posts: 359 Drives: 09 370z M6 PGtouring Rep Power: 16	marine dr after lions gate to towards horseshoe bay is also very good driving road. very windy and different elevations.

05-25-2010, 03:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Drexster Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 34 Drives: 40th Anniversary Rep Power: 16	Drove the crows nest pass through EC Manning park this long weekend. Awesome drive with superb scenery and twisting winding roads. Continued along to Penticton then up to Kelowna. From there went south (2km before the kelowna bridge) onto Westside Rd. Which i have to say is really, truly amazing. Not only does it follow okanogan lake, is practically desolate of any traffic even Victoria day, but the combination of steep inclines and rapid turns makes for a true mountain road. There were a few nasty patches (pot holes, minor gravel etc) near the rural sections, but drive slow and you're good. I then did a trial run in a friends car from Kamloops to Vancouver through Whistler on the 99. It was good highway for the most part, however sometime after Marble Canyon to Pemberton, near Fountain Valley I'd say the roads are inappropriate for a Z. Far too many pot holes and stretches of gravel. I would have cried if i was in my new car... Overall great weekend of driving! Planning on going to the island next time.

03-16-2010, 08:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jules Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 31 Drives: Z34 ( 370Z ) Rep Power: 16	Hwy 99 going to whistler ! Very nice and twisty. Brand new pavement that was done prior the olympic so still new !

03-17-2010, 01:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
kevin.z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: vancouver(shipping:WA Posts: 359 Drives: 09 370z M6 PGtouring Rep Power: 16	i am so down man!

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