Capturing the Art of Nature
Bridal Falls, Garnet & American Creek FSR's
A lovely day for the back country and a chance to finish off a number of incomplete explorations.
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2009
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I had tried twice earlier this year to explore the Bridal Falls FSR, both times stopped by snow, and I still needed to find the Garnet/Emory Creek loop which was missed last trip. So today's adventure was to comprise two separate explorations. As the Bridal Falls area was first along the way, that was where we began our back country driving.
We came to the start of the FSR and noticed that an area just west of the road had been cleared and developed into a trailer park. There were only a few camping there today as it was now out of season. The Bridal Falls area seems to be pushing tourism quite effectively. We were soon past that and into the forest where we rapidly made our way upward. The truck bounced a lot along the road and it seemed a lot rougher than last time in the Pathfinder - I need to get used to the stiffer suspension. Before long we were passing the place we were stopped on our first trip and then on the second, followed immediately by the spot we stopped on our hike from the first trip. We were soon at a fork and took the right branch which went to the launch site for the paragliders.
We arrived at the site, parked and got out our equipment to photograph the area. The view was spectacular. I could see far down the Fraser Valley and far up Harrison Lake! Though it was quite cold with a breeze the site was amazing and I didn't really want to leave, but we had just started our adventure so it was back to the truck and then off to explore the left fork. We made our way up till the road was blocked off, at one point it had continued on and joined the Chipmunk FSR with access to Cheam and the Chilliwack River. Today you can only walk across the washed out area and join the Chipmunk at a ridge overlooking the valley. I had previously been on the top side of the washout and had planned to try this lower section for years, so being here completed another of my goals. As we made our way down we came upon another truck making its way up. We chatted for awhile, they were new to the region and didn't realized you couldn't drive much further and that you had to reach the upper launch site from the back.
We returned to the highway and made our way to Agassiz to pick up a lunch for the next leg of our trip. Soon we were entering Garnet Creek FSR again and this time we were determined to find the connector to Emory Creek. As we made our way along we tried a few side roads that we had skipped previously They brought us to some lovely areas where the leaves were starting to change colour. As we approached the area that stopped Geoff and I earlier this year we found a side road that looked interesting so we thought we would try that before continuing. This road provided access to the transmissions towers so it tended to be much more rugged than your normal FSR. The road soon came upon a very steep and wet section which we thought we would avoid but then we said - well why not try it. So we carefully made our way up. This was a much more challenging section of road and definitely a push for Ethan but as we made our way up his adrenaline kicked in and soon we successfully reached the next tower. That resulted in a scream of exhilaration from Ethan, quite catching me off guard. I reminded him that we may have to go back down this stretch.
We continued up past a few more towers and came to a lovely small lake where I got a few shots. The road was obviously improved recently in this area as the tread marks of a grader were evident. We decided to keep going and see how far the service road went and if it might be the continuation of the American Creek FSR. Before long we realized we had transitioned to the FSR, not sure when but we were beginning to think that the path we travelled was the only open route. We continued along heading towards the Fraser Canyon, my new concern was the washout that blocked Geoff and me this past May. I really didn't want to get almost out only to have to return the way we came.
We came to a small creek crossing where I took a number of lovely slow water shots of the rapids just up from the road. We decided we were overdue for lunch and took an extended rest here where we could enjoy the phenomenal setting. After lunch we continued along, the road had by now improved considerably and driving was easy. Before long we crossed another arm of American Creek, this one with a bridge. After crossing we came upon a few side roads that were quite overgrown - perhaps we could explore them with an ATV.
I noticed that the road looked somewhat traveled so I was getting less concerned about the washout. Finally we did come to where the washout was and saw that it had been well repaired, one would never have known it had been impassible not that long ago. So we were soon off the FSR and onto the Highway headed for the Blue Moose Bistro in Hope. It was a great trip but we still didn't get to find the connector to Emory Creek, so I guess I will need to try one more time!