Mount Defiance Bed and Breakfast
Located in the heart of the Bella Coola Valley
Catering to the Intrepid Outdoor Traveler and the Faint of Heart
and Everyone in Between

CLIMATE: Firvale receives about 30 inches of rain per year as compared to Bella Coola which generally experiences about 90 inches of rain per year. In spring and summer Firvale experiences warmer temperatures than the lower valley.

PROPERTY: Our 140 acre property is an amazing piece of land. The Bella Coola River cuts the property, with 100 acres on the east side of the river and 40 acres on the west side of the Bella Coola River. Our west side property is home to Cachootin Creek, this creek is fed by five mountain glaciers, and hosts a unique mix of wetland plants and old growth cedar. Here you can tread (carefully) in the tracks of the great grizzly, experience a mature old growth Sitka spruce/Douglas fir/Hemlock forest (Dry Submaritime ecosystem), fish in Cachootin Creek or the Bella Coola at the same time. You can also sun bathe on the small sandy beach of Cachootin Creek. The entire property is heavily treed with a mix of fir, birch, maple, spruce and cedar. You will enjoy a wide and diverse mix of woodlands, old growth timber, sandy river beaches, river frontage, trails and country walking roads. You are free to roam wherever your heart takes you. You will find tranquility, solace for your soul and a refreshment of your spirit as the secrets of the property unfold to you. Stay overnight in the rustic riverbank cabin and wake to soaring mountains touched with golden rays on glacial peaks. Cook your breakfast on our open campfire pit and enjoy the pristine outdoors experience while watching the Bald Eagle pair tending to their young from their nest high in an old cottonwood tree. The Bella Coola River is home to river otters and in the summer, seals from the ocean travel the Bella Coola River feeding on salmon and emerging fry.

POINTS OF INTEREST:
     Firvale is one of the few places in the world where Mountain Goats can be seen from the road. Two distinct herds of Mountain Goat make their home in Firvale; bring binoculars for this rare treat.

The river pool behind our property was reputed to be one of the best winter steelhead holes on the Bella Coola. Winter fishing for resident and sea run cutthroat on the Bella Coola is an amazing experience. Resident rainbow and cutbows are also caught in our run of the river. Catch and release is preferred.

A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY: 
        Summer Trail: A twenty minute walk west will bring you to the trail head of this ancient and historic trail used during the summer as a travel corridor for the Nuxalk and the Ulgatcho First Nations. The Nuxalk also used this trail as a grease trail to deliver ooligan oil for trade with the interior First Nations. Today, the Summer Trail is an adventure into the high mountain country. Bring bear and bug spray and wear your bear bells.
Ø Assananny Falls: A quick ten minute walk will take you to Assananny Falls. This pretty spot is quiet and serene and the waterfalls are fun to play in, with the water fairly  warm in summer. Assananny Creek drains into the Bella Coola River and has some nice beaches for spring, winter and fall fishing for cutthroat and rainbows or for relaxing and having a cook out. The views are amazing.
Ø Bella Coola Bridge: The Bella Coola is a ten minute drive west from Mount Defiance Bed and Breakfast- good access to fresh water fishing for all species of salmon plus rainbow, dolly and cutthroat. Drive north up the logging road to the little bridge and you will find some good trout fishing plus head east along the Noosgulch River to find a wonderful warm water (summer only) canyon that will delight you and your family. The mouth of the Noosgulch River as it drains into the Bella Coola is one of the better summer fishing holes on this system. Winter fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and dolly is popular.
Ø Burnt Bridge: Burnt Bridge Creek  is a ten-minute drive west from Mount Defiance Bed and Breakfast. Burnt Bridge is in Tweedsmuir Park. Here you will find a pretty little stream with small rainbow trout  found in the upper system. There is a picnic area and a walk to the Bella Coola River. The canyon under the bridge is fun to swim and fish in as well you will find the trail head to the Loop Trail which takes you to the look -out over the Bella Coola valley and then continue on until you return to the Burnt Bridge area again.


WHAT TO WEAR:
     Due to the coastal and interior weather influences it is often difficult to determine the best clothing to wear. For summer, shorts and long pants, bathing suits, light jacket or sweater is the norm. Cold rainstorms can sweep in so it is also good to bring warm sweaters, socks and rain gear. Waterproof hiking boots and running shoes are appropriate.

WHAT TO BRING:
     Most of your shopping needs for food and incidentals can be found in the shops at Hagensborg and Bella Coola. It is a good idea to bring bear spray  (I guess), a ''cloud-burst'' clothing shell and, mostly, COMMON SENSE. I cannot stress common sense enough. Please explore and wonder according to your sensibilities. There are also outdoor supplies in several stores and advice is always free.