Harrison Mills, situated around the confluence of the Fraser, Harrison and Chehalis Rivers,
provides some of Mother Nature's most spectacular displays. Steeped in history, there are
many remenants of the past and points of interest for visitors to enjoy.
Thousands of pink, chum, chinook and sockeye salmon spawn each year in the tributaries
of the Fraser River. From mid-October to mid- November, the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel
(located 13km north of Harrison Mills) is choked full of fish in their brilliant red
and green spawing colours. Full interpretation signs explain the salmon's life cycle
in great detail, so pack a lunch and let the whole family experience this phenomenon.
The same flood of spawning salmon also provides the main food source for one of
North America's largest collections of bald eagles. From November through
February, hundreds of those majestic birds can be spotted in almost every tree.
These huge numbers are made up of local resident eagles, over wintering
eagles and eagles that were wintering further south and are making their
way back north.
Immature eagles are solid brown with a black/brown bill and brown eyes.
Over the next few years, white feathers begin to come in under the wings.
Eventually, the head and tail become more white and the bill and eyes
turn yellow.
Mid-winter is the breeding season for mature eagles and you can often
spot eagle pairs flying in acrobatic circles, colliding in mid-air and
grasping each others talons in nuptial bliss. The banks of the Harrison
River in Kilby Provincial Park are excellent viewing areas. More eagles
can be spotted along the Morris Valley Road.
Harrison Mills is also the start of a wilderness four-wheel drive
road up the west side of Harrison Lake. Starting along the Morris
Valley Road, you pass the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel (the end of
the pavement) and proceed along the forty miles of Harrison Lake to
the Lillooet River and Lillooet Lake. At this point, you can decide
to go west to Pemberton or east along the Duffy Lake Road to Lillooet.
Please note that this is a four-wheel drive gravel road with no
facilities and little traffic. Only experienced drivers should
attempt this passage during good weather!
While touring Harrison Mills, make sure you don't miss the historic
Kilby Store & Farm.
