Capturing the Art of Nature
Slollicum, Lookout and the far north
Personally, I really like exploring the East Harrison area, there is so much to find here and it is easy to access
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2016
Click on image to view gallery
Previously on the east Harrison we zipped up the mainline to the Silver River area and started exploring the pine FSR where we spent the day. Today we took the very first side road – the Slollicum FSR – and did some hiking trail investigation. I hope to hike to that summit for a SOTA activation and wanted to see where the trailhead was and if there was any place one could drive to to shave off a few kilometers and elevation gain. So upon arriving at the branch of the mainline we started up the Slollicum FSR and took the first left fork. Here we made our way along a rough road for a short distance trying a couple of spurs. The road didn’t go far, though we did enjoy some lovely forest views. We backed down to the first fork and continued along it to the next one where we again set off up slope, this road led to the place we had been stopped by a huge cross-ditch years before. This time the road was drivable for more distance but we eventually came to a narrowing where we could have continued but decided to stop and explore a bit on foot. Here we found the hiking trail coming up slope to the road after which it followed for several kilometers. So we did find a parking spot that would save a whole 500m! but it does help.
Done with the trail we set off for the Silver River area and the second main side road on the west side. This one now boasts a new modern feature, it is the host access road for the new power line coming from the power station on the Big Silver River. We were hoping to follow it up and see how it connects up with the new road that was built lower down at lake level. So we drove up the main line past the mostly empty Cogburn Beach campsite on through the Silver River sort yard, and over the air strip at takeoff speed. Across the Hornet Creek bridge that will be being replaced in a week and finally to the side road for our journey up the south eastern flank of Mt. Breakenridge.
We crossed The Silver River and started up the slope following the transmission line. We tried a few spurs but they ended short of the ridge line. So back tracking we tried the next and finally we made it to the ridge and a view of Harrison Lake. So nice. The power line headed straight down the slope but no road followed, so we continued north along the one we were on and eventually came to its end. Here we had an amazing view of the lake covered in cloud and mists, you couldn’t tell where lake started and cloud continued! It was just a smooth transition from the whites of the clouds to the smooth white reflection on the lake. Truly a lovely sight. The wind was ever changing the look and we were graced with a number of incredible vistas. At one point the clouds lifted enough for a view south down the lake, really quite spectacular. Looking down we saw some amazing white sandy beaches just below us. It would be a great camping spot.
Well it was lunch time so we parked the truck near the cliff edge heading up slope from the road so we could tie off the tarp we had as the rain looked threatening. Sure enough just as we completed stretching out the tarp a shower hit us hard and we were very glad to be under cover while cooking a warm meal! By the time we were done with lunch the weather had improved and we were off to a brighter journey. We returned along the route we ascended trying a few more short spurs but soon enough we were back to the bridge over the Silver River. Here there is a campsite just to the side of the bridge so we pulled into it and explored the area. It is nice enough but the summer week-end campers had really made a mess of the place.
It was still early so I decided we should try to explore some access routes for Lookout peak. So we returned along the mainline to the Bear Creek FSR and started up it only to find a solid locked gate. It was very annoying but nothing could be done at this point. So back to the mainline and on to the next side road up the west flank of lookout peak. This next one has a lovely small cliff one can climb to the edge of and enjoy an amazing view of a small lake with Harrison Lake in behind. Once we had gathered enough photos we continued up the road to its end which was at a stream crossing. Upon review at home with my maps I could see that the road had at one time continued up the slope right to the top ridge of the summit! It may well be a doable hiking route for us next year.
We back tracked and tried one more side road before heading home. The roads all offered some interesting possibilities for hiking to the summit of the two mountains. Not sure which I will try first but they both seem to have decent possibilities. Meanwhile I will concentrate on easier ones with marked trails.