Bridges Walk
Popular route with local runners, walkers and cyclists, crosses the Bridge of 23 Camels and the Old Suspension Bridge, offering gorgeous views of town and the famous river with fabulous mountain backdrops.
Bridge of the 23 Camels
Following the discovery of gold in the Cariboo in 1858 and the completion of the first wagon road to Lillooet, horses, mules and oxen were used to haul heavy loads to the gold fields. An entrepreneur determined that camels would be ideal pack animals, so 23 two humped Bactrian camels were imported from Asia to BC. But this solution became an issue when the high-strung beasts ate miners clothing, kicked at anyone who came close, frightened other animals with their pungent odor, and cut their soft feet on the rocky mountainous roads. The camels were abandoned and left to roam in the wild. Some were killed for food, some died in winter storms, while others were kept as curiosities. The lone surviving Bactrian camel, “The Lady” as she was called, died around 1896 on a farm in Grande Prairie, BC (now known as Westwold).
When the bridge opened in 1981, the name was selected through a contest. Local resident, Renee Chipman submitted the winning name: “Bridge of the 23 Camels” in honour of the camels.
The Old Suspension Bridge
Since the construction of the Bridge of the 23 Camels, this old span has been known as “The Old Bridge.” Built in 1913, the bridge replaced a winch ferry powered by the river current, which was used since 1860. In 2003, the bridge was restored with bat houses to support the local bat population.