The Lougheed Highway begins in Vancouver and up until the early 1970's ended at Agassiz. The highway was
extended to Haig on the northwest side of the Fraser River north of Hope in order to provide another access route to the Fraser Canyon. The Mission to Agassiz portion of the Lougheed Highway has been a principal route for the north side of the Fraser River since the 1920's. The route from Mission to Agassiz has not been changed much since the mid 1940's. It follows in close proximity to the Canadian Pacific Railway for most of its route.

Highway 7 east of Mission.

The Westminster Abby - built in 1954 and overlooks the nearby Fraser River - is just north or to the left of this location.
Check raod conditions for Highway 7 by moving your mouse over this sign. Close the small window to continue travel.
Hatzic.

Hatzic is a small settlement east of Mission. The highway wil descend towards Lake Hatzic and cross a floodplain.
The view just east of Hatzic. In the distance is the floodplain area of Lake Hatzic.
A Coastal Salish First Nations settlement has been here for 9,000 years. The local Sto:Lo Nation has preserved a spiritual place and has built a replica longhouse.

Click on this sign to turn off the highway to visit the website. After your visit, use your back button to return to this location.
 
Lake Hatzic and area. This area was flooded in a major flood of the Fraser River in 1948.

The Canadian Pacific runs atop a dyke to the right.

The area around Hatzic Lake is still prone to flooding during spring runoff. The area is dotted with many dairy and hay farms and also farms growing corn.
 
Hatzic Lake.

A junction with Highway 7 has a gas station and a general store. The lake offers many recreational opportunities such as fishing, and boating.

A cyclist enjoys a ride on a warm summer afternoon.
 
 

Dewdney.

Dewdney is another small settlement on the highway.

Here the highway turns adruptly right to cross over the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks and continues east on Nicomen Island.

The road going directly east continues for a short
distance to service local farms in the area. Topography further east prevented the highway from keeping to this side of the river.

Slow down and watch your speed before you turn.
 
 
 

Just to the right is the Dewdney General Store which serves the local area. The store is also a Canada Post station.




Nicomen Slough and bridge.

Nicomen Slough is a branch of the Fraser River.

Nicomen Island.

Nicomen Island is a river island and is protected from spring flooding of the Fraser River by dykes which surround the island.

 

Where are we now?


Click on the map on the left to view a detailed view of the area. Use your back button to continue travel.

The highway is carried along the dyke for a short length.

The entire island was flooded with about 6 to 10 feet of water in the Fraser River 1948 flood.
On the left is the Nicomen Slough dyke.

The island has extensive agriculture including raising corn such as is done by the farm on the right.
Highway 7 is framed by the dyke on the left, and the cornfields on the right. The Fraser Valley farms such as this one yield sweet corn which is sold across Canada.
Highway 7 continues its route across Nicomen Island with the Coast Mountains in the distance.
Highway 7 crosses Nicomen Slough upon leaving Nicomen Island as the route heads towards Deroche.
 

Canadian Pacific Railway.

 

Deroche.

Deroche is a small settlement in this part of the Fraser Valley serving the local farms and settlements. Deroche has a general store and gas station, plus a Canada Post station in the store.

The highway will leave the flatlands and continue along the mountainside.

Highway 7 continues on towards Agassiz as it
goes close to the local mountains.
Lake Errock.

Lake Errock is another tiny one store settlement. The region is home to a number of resorts and campgrounds. Lake Errock itself is a small natural lake that offers canoeing, fishing and swimming. The highway will skirt Lake Errock for the next 2 km.
The highway after leaving Lake Errock continues east and meets Harrison Bay.

Harrison Bay is an outlet for the Harrison River and empties into the Fraser River.

The bay can be seen from the highway as the route skirts Harrison Bay on the right for the next 3 km.
Morris Valley Road ahead accesses the west side of Harrison River and also to recreational areas nearby.
 
Hemlock Valley is a summer and recreational facility that offers mountain biking in summer and excellent ski-ing during the winter. It is located in a area north of Harrison Mills with access via mountain road.

Click on this sign to travel north to the Hemlock Valley website. Use your back button to return to travel on
the highway.

Sandpiper Golf Course offers excellent golfing at a location next to the Harrison River.

Click on the sign to turn off the highway to view the Sandpiper Website.

Use your back button to return here for travel to Agassiz.
Rowena's Inn on the River is next to the Sandpiper Golf Club.

This quiet and idyllic 160 estate on the west shore of Harrison River offers pampered accomodations and fine dining. Click on the sign to turn off the highway to visit the website.

Use your back button to return here for travel to Agassiz.

Harrison Mills

A resort and one gas station and general store is what is left of Harrison Mills community. It was the location of a logging camp, sawmill and log booming operation, but the operations closed in the 1980's. The logs were harvested from the local mountains and brought to the dump yard located to the south or right of the highway.

To the left at this location is the road to Hemlock Valley, an excellent winter ski-ing area located about 20 km north.
Sasquatch Inn.

Offers cosy accomodations for recreationists
visiting the local area.
 
The Ministry of Transportation is completing a replacement of the bridge deck of the Harrison River Bridge, a structure opened for traffic in 1956. The deck comprises currently of inlaid concrete on a steel grid.

 
 
The Ministry of Transportation has a webcam positioned to show the Harrison River bridge approach from the Harrison River's west side. Moe your mouse over the sign to view current conditions. The camera shows the bridge to the west.

Harrison River and bridge.

The Harrison River empties Harrison Lake located about 10 km north into the Fraser River. The river is not fast flowing and is navigable by boat.

The bridge is a swing bridge which allows the passage of high draft or high masted vessels. Most of these were log boom tugs, but there are few larger vessels on the river now.
Midspan of the Harrison River Bridge.

The bridge deck is concrete filled metal grid which can be a safety hazard for motorcyclists.

The bridge was completed in the 1950's.
Kilby Road ahead.

An early 20th Century store is located just south of here and is worth a stop if there is time to see what people saw and bought in a store in the first quarter of the 20th Century and to see living B.C. history.
The Ministry of Transportation has a webcam positioned to show the Harrison River bridge approach from the Harrison River's east side. Mvoe your mouse over the sign to view current conditions. The camera shows the highway east towards Kilby Road.
 
Where are we now?


Click on the map on the left to view a detailed view of the area. Use your back button to continue travel.
Click on this sign to turn off the highway to visit the website. After your visit, use your back button to return to this location and continue to Agassiz.
The mountains south of Chilliwack come into view.
This is a prime area to see parasailing. The parasailing often begins on the mountain to the left and ends in a field on the northside of the highway just east of here before the ascent of Agassiz Mountain.

Copyright (c) 2004 P. Keenleyside [ Legal and Terms of Use ] 		Ascent of Agassiz Mountain from the west. The highway wil climb up to the side of the mountain affording passengers an excellent view of the Chilliwack area of the Fraser Valley, before descending towards Agassiz. Keep to the right unless passing slow vehicles.