Terzaghi Dam to Pemberton Road Trip

Follow @ihikebc Tweet 

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.

36. We are still on Seton Portage Road, 400 meters past Lil'tem Mountain Hotel in Seton Portage, British Columbia, Canada.

37-38. At 7.3 km (300 meters later), make a right turn to continue on Seton Portage Road (or Highline Road, as per a sign further on). A sign indicates 30 km to D'Arcy. The road soon becomes even rougher and more narrow and winding than Mission Mountain Road. No large vehicles! No trailers! Avoid in the winter.

38-39. At 8.0 km of Seton Portage Road, Anderson Lake is now to our side.

40. At 8.4 km, a warning sign about the road ahead.

41. Just over a hundred meters later, the fun begins.

42. Looking at Anderson Lake from the same spot. Power lines are often in the way, but not here.

43. And here is the view of Anderson Lake at the 10.6 km mark of Seton Portage Road between Seton Portage and D'Arcy, BC.

44-45. A small picnic area at 10.2 km. The road is very close, so noise and dust from the passing vehicles would be a part of the experience.

46. A fine view of Anderson Lake at 12.6 km.

47. Seton Portage Road at 13.4 km from where it meets Mission Mountain Road.

48. Now at the 16.8 km mark.

49. Still quite a washboard at 19.0 km. Driving faster than 30-40 km/h is rather bone-jarring, at least with live axles.

50. Anderson Lake at 20.0 km of Seton Portage Road.

51-53. A busted bus 200 meters later on the right side.

52. Looking back (towards Seton Portage) at 22.8 km.

53. Seton Portage Road at the 34.1 km mark.

54. Looking back at 34.3 km.

55-56. Looking forward from the same spot we see D'Arcy far ahead (plain and zoomed views).

57. At 34.8 km of Seton Portage Road. Approaching D'Arcy.

58-59. At 36.6 km, we are in D'Arcy, BC. The sign says "4x4 only", but, as long as you have good tires for the rough surface and do not drive with snow or ice on the ground, 4x2 would do just fine.

60. Then, it's about 46 km from D'Arcy to Pemberton on a paved but much less scenic road.

61. Arriving to Pemberton, BC.