Capturing the Art of Nature
Squeah FSR
The Fraser Canyon is a beautiful area to travel through. Most people zip down the highway barely glimpsing the scenery, today I explored the lower canyon but from the side opposite the highway.
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2009
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Though I haven't done many trips through the canyon, every time I did drive the highway I was amazed at the sights. Every few miles brings amazing new vistas to one's eyes to ponder. In driving the canyon I saw glimpses of logging roads across the river on the opposite side of the river from which the highway was on and that intrigued me immensely. Over time I developed a growing desire to explore the canyon from the side opposite to the normal flow of humanity. The southernmost section of the canyon sees the highway on the west side of the river. On the east side exiting the town of Hope on the north is a logging road known as the Squeah FSR. This road wanders the eastern flank of the canyon for several kilometers and on the map leads to a small native reserve called Squeah. I wasn't able to confirm that it still reaches Squeah as we did not travel on a road branch that led there. So either we missed it or it is no longer passable.
The drive along the FSR is fairly easy as far as FSR's go. The first section of the road was well maintained and made for an easier trip than what we have gotten used to. Access to the actual river, though close by, leads through private native areas and so we made do with higher elevation views of the river. We did notice a few natives out on the river catching fish but the distance limited one's ability to get interesting photos. Maybe one day I will plan ahead and arrange some time with the indigenous people of the areas I visit.
About mid way along the road we came to a lovely view spot and took a break for a few minutes. I got a number of photos, Geoff did a bit of target practice with his rifle. Then we continued on up the road and finally came to some much less travelled sections which added a bit to our challenges. At the furthest point we stopped to eat a bit of lunch. Once fed we took a second minor spur but soon came to the end of that road as it was over-grown and impassable, the map had teased us with a long line that we couldn't follow.
We made our way back along the road and when we came to the small lake we saw on the way in we stopped to explore it. We found a number of campsites along the northern edge of the lake with a few campers in them. The lake was a very pretty setting and despite the forecast of showers I am sure they all would have a great time there. The one campsite had a small wooden dock out into the lake that was very scenic and I took quite a few photos of it from various angles. After spending some time taking photos and chatting with the group enjoying the area we barged in on, we made our way further back along the road.
We tried a few more short spurs as we came to them but it was starting to get late and so we were getting a bit anxious to head out. Soon we came to a side road that indicated it was the start of a hiking trail that led to Ogilvie Peak. That was too much to pass by so we turned off and started up the road, after a number of switch-backs and narrow sections we reached the end of the cleared road. It was heavily overgrown! That was very disappointing as we were still a fair distance from Ogilvie Peak. The last few hundred feet of the road showed some recent work done in clearing so while I took a few photos - the point at the end of the cleared road had a great view - Geoff got out his chain saw and started clearing a bit more of the road.
As we made our way back to the truck after doing our separate activities, Geoff let out a cry of anguish, he felt a sharp pain in his side. At the truck he checked over the place of pain and discovered a tick busily digging its way into his skin. We did a few things to try and get rid of it including calling for advice on the ham radio. A ham operator suggested getting some grease on it which we tried and were able to get the tick to back out a bit, but it was still clinging tenaciously to Geoff's side and causing him major discomfort so rather than risk breaking it, we decided to get to the nearest emergency room we could find.
Soon we were back on the main FSR and on our way to the town of Hope. I remembered that we actually passed by the hospital on our way in so that was our next destination. Once at the emergency admitting we learned that there was only one person in front of us but that the single doctor had just left for dinner! So we had an hour's wait for his return and then a bit longer for him to see the previous person. Once past the waiting room it only took a short while more for the doctor to review the situation and extract the beast! It was now much later than we had planned but at least we had an easy drive the rest of the way home. Geoff's side was no longer hurting and the swelling was already subsiding.
So the adventure on the wrong side of the canyon was indeed eventful. This was our first tick attack in all the years we have been exploring the back country and I hope it will be the last. The views and sights we saw confirmed my suspicions that the side of the canyon opposite to the main highway would offer much to see and enjoy. I will be returning to explore the wrong side further up the canyon in the months ahead.