Terzaghi Dam to Pemberton Road Trip

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Here is a good road trip if you want to take an alternate route from Terzaghi (Mission) Dam to Pemberton, and do not mind washboard surfaces and narrow/winding roads with unbarricaded drop-offs. 49 kilometers from Lillooet via BC Highway 40 (a very scenic road in its own right) is where one would find Terzaghi (Mission) Dam, right where Carpenter Lake begins (it ends by Gold Bridge at the end of Highway 40). But, instead of proceeding straight at this T-junction towards Gold Bridge, make a left turn, which would be the beginning of Mission Mountain Road, which takes about 25 kilometers to reach Seton Portage.

There are several very neat views of Carpenter Lake, but it is a rough road, and good tires are a must (4x2 ok). Definitely avoid this road, as well as Seton Portage Road between Seton Portage and D'Arcy, in the winter. Way too steep, and with many unbarricaded drop-offs. Once you reach Seton Portage, make a right turn 700 meters after Lil'tem Mountain Hotel, and that would lead you all the way to D'Arcy 30 kilometers later via an equally rough, but often even more narrow and winding than Seton Portage Road.

For either road, follow posted vehicle advisories and restrictions. To make it simple, anything larger than a full size pickup truck might have issues on Seton Portage Road. Mission Mountain Road is restricted to single vehicles no larger than 14 meters long. Definitely no trailers on either road - industrial users might have their own regulations, but, from our perspective, bringing a trailer here, especially a large one, is fraught with serious complications.

Speaking of Seton Portage, shortly after Bridge River 1 Generating Station, there is an underpass with quite an impressive Indigenous art on the columns. A convenient pullout allows to park nearby to admire the fine artwork. Just watch for traffic, however infrequent.

As far as the views on Seton Portage Road on the way to D'Arcy, you are now driving along Anderson Lake, and it sure is quite impressive in many spots. Too bad for power lines (of course, electricity needs to get to us from the power station somehow). There are very few good lake views with no power lines in the way, but, nonetheless, it's quite a scenic ride.

D'Arcy to Pemberton is a regular paved road, suitable for all vehicles. Not nearly as scenic, though.

We have made a video of the whole thing and posted it below, so check it out, if you are contemplating this road trip.

Here is our video of driving on BC Highway 40 from Lillooet to Gold Bridge.

More ihikebc videos are on our YouTube Channel.

0. Here are Google Maps directions from Terzaghi Dam to Pemberton via Seton Portage and D'Arcy.

1. We are on BC Highway 40, with Lillooet 49 km behind us, and Gold Bridge 53 km ahead. At the T-junction ahead, make a left turn towards Seton Portage and Shalalth. Going straight is the continuation of Highway 40.

2. A hundred meters later, here is that T-junction. Making a left turn onto Mission Mountain Road.

3. Having made the left turn, Terzaghi (Mission) Dam, which is approximately 400 meters long, is ahead of us.

4. A small tunnel at the end of the dam.

5. The tunnel is about 100 meters long.

6. A fine view at the end of the tunnel.

7. Carpenter Lake view right after the tunnel.

8. A sign nearby. Note the maximum truck restriction of 14 meters long.

9-10. At 2.3 km of Mission Mountain Road.

11. At 3.6 km, of Mission Mountain Road, a sign warns that a steep and winding road is about to begin.

12. A Hydro structure at the 4.0 km mark.

13. Mission Mountain Road at 5.8 km from its start off BC Highway 40.

14-15. Arguably the best view of Carpenter Lake arrives at 6.1 km of Mission Mountain Road.

16. Now at 8.0 km of Mission Mountain Road.

17. At the 9.3 km mark, we have reached the highest point of the road, and a steep (14%) descent begins.

18. Now at 11.4 km of Mission Mountain Road near Shalalth and Seton Portage, British Columbia, Canada.

19. At 14.7 km, a good view of Seton Lake.

20-22. At 16.3 km, we are at the bottom of the hill, and have arrived to a junction of roads to Shalalth (left), and Seton Portage (right). We turned right.

22. Mission Mountain Road 200 meters later. It is paved at this point, providing for a much smoother ride.

23-24. At 17.0 km, Mission Mountain Road meets Seton Portage Road. Making a right turn onto Seton Portage Road. We have reset the odometer here.

25. 200 meters later, we are approaching Bridge River 1 Generating Station.

26. Now driving through the station.

27. Muddy Clay Recreation Site turnoff arrives at the 500 meter mark of Seton Portage Road.

28. At the 1.8 km of Seton Portage Road near Seton Portage, British Columbia, Canada.

29-32. 200 meters later, there is an underpass with wonderful Indigenous are on the columns. A pullout right after the underpass allows for parking your vehicle, if you want to check out the art a bit closer. Do watch out for traffic, however infrequent.

33. Seton Portage Road right after the underpass.

34. At 6.6 km of Seton Portage Road, we have arrived to a fine-looking Lil'tem' Mountain Hotel.

35. There is a store/restaurant across the road from the hotel.

Our Terzaghi Dam to Pemberton Road Trip Continues on Page 2.