The Harrison area has a huge number of side roads to explore which are relatively low in elevation so they are a good winter area to explore. Today we wanted something easy and not too far in as we had no cover for the back of the truck and hence we would be traveling with minimal equipment. So I thought we could try the first side road off the east Harrison as it was an area we hadn’t seen in many years.

Arriving at the start of the road we saw promising signs that the weather would be decent and perhaps offer us some brighter scenes. We checked over the truck, loaded in the road frequency on the radio and started off. The first branch came quickly and soon we were traveling back south just 100 or so meters above the mainline. For today’s adventure we decided to follow the right-hand rule – taking the right branch of every fork we come to. So our first decision kept us traveling low and parallel to the mainline below us. Not much past the first fork we encountered two fallen trees across the road. Tracks from a previous driver showed that he had turned back at this point. We didn’t have our chainsaw so we would have to drag the trees to the side.

The larger of the trees was a good sized tree and would be a bit of a challenge to move. We attached the winch near the root end and started to pull. We moved it a few inches but then the truck started sliding towards the tree. We felt a different angle might still allow us to move so Geoff repositioned the truck and we gave it another go. This time the tree started sliding and soon it was up and over the hole created by its root ball. Dragging it the rest of the way along the side of the road was easy and soon we were onto the smaller of the two. It moved very easily and in little time we were winching in the cable and off to see the road we had opened up.

Though this area on the southern flank of Slollicum Peak didn’t cover much distance, we had a large number of short side branches to explore and one more pair of trees to move, not sure why they were in pairs. So we ended up spending most of the day just in from the start of the forest road and bumping along the edge of the Sasquatch Provincial Park. The area was rich in dense mossy forest which made for a very rich green environment. Both Geoff and I commented on how amazing this type of forest growth was and how it must have been truly spectacular to see an original growth forest like this. I mentioned a few I had seen and he seriously wanted to visit an area like that.

Done with the lower section we backed up the road to almost the original tree barricade and made for a higher area. Here we found some lovely views of Harrison Lake and western mountains. The sun was giving us a nice lighting effect for my photos. We reached the end of all of the roads we tried except for one. On this road we encountered a deep cross-ditch that was a bit too steep for our long truck so we opted to come back another day when we could adjust the ditch a bit. Unfortunately this was the branch that made for the higher slopes with some good potential for nice views. We will need to come back here in the summer.

Geoff hadn’t been back to the east Harrison area since the start of the summer so he was anxious to return to the Silver Creek area, I wanted to gain some altitude to enjoy a bit of snow. As the east Harrison provides a large number of options one can explore, it was the choice for the day. Our day started off normally but then we had a rock tossed at us on the highway chipping our windshield. Fortunately it was small and easily repaired. After a stop in Agassiz for some lunch supplies we zipped through Harrison and began our drive along the FSR. 

Our first stop was down on the Cascade peninsula where we parked the truck to explore some rocky rises. They were heavily covered in vibrant moss which looked so nice from the truck and even close-up. Geoff decided to follow the mossy rocks down the slope and managed to find an easy walk all the way to the beach. There he enjoyed the view for a bit before coming back up. I stayed nearer the truck as we hadn’t closed it up fully for an extended absence. Once back to the truck Geoff did a bit of target shooting then we returned to the main line and continued up the road. 

A bit passed Bear Creek we came to another mossy overlook that we got out to explore. This area provided a series of steep steps all moss covered. A faint trail continued its way down to the lake but this time Geoff stayed near the top. Again the moss offered a vibrant lush look to the slope which accented the trees growing on the steep cliff face. It was another lovely spot to enjoy and we both found the views refreshing. Continuing up the road we arrived at the camping area just before the Bear Creek log yard and here we parked at the beach and I gathered a few photos of the lake and western mountains. While here we finally came across another vehicle travelling in the area, they were the first one we saw.

I put out a radio call to Carolyn and then we set off once again. As we passed the log yard we saw the road up the South Talc was open and so we opted to drive up there to see what it offered. As we gained elevation we were presented with amazing views of the lakes and cloud shrouded peaks to the north. It was a lovely drive up the north slope of the ridge. There were a number of branches as we made our way, each time we took what looked to be the major fork. Soon we were running south along the west slope where we had glimpses of Harrison Lake below. When the road finally was too over-grown to continue we turned around but the trees snagged the rear bumper and ripped off the section that was bent up! The remaining bumper though solid was very odd to look at. As we neared the fork it started to snow. I got out of the truck at one point and noticed that the snowflakes were each an amazing six sided crystal, looking just like ones sees in photographs – they were actually very pretty.

The East Stave Lake area is a popular location as it is easy to access. I enjoy returning as there seems to always be something new to look over. Ethan and I set out to explore some of the side roads today so we arrived at the start of the road in good time and there I noticed that the logging road radio frequency had changed. It was new to me so I had to reprogram the radio before we could use it. That took a few moments during which time a silver pickup came by and passed us. Once set, we zipped along the first part of the main road. It was clear of snow and ice and in fact the day was quite mild, I would have preferred more sun but this was the day we got.

We continued in for some distance passing the Davis Lake area and rounding on the NW shoulder of Mt Weatherhead. Then we found a side road to zip up. We soon came by a few more forks but we took the most interesting each time and soon we were driving through a narrow over-grown area. To our right the slope drops down steeply to a narrow ravine. As we drove along I noticed that the ravine was littered with a pile of old tires, there appeared to be 50 to 70 of them scattered across the rocks. Not the most impressive of back-country scenes. Continuing on we came to an old bridge that had developed some sink holes. I got out to check over the strength of the bridge and felt that we were good to cross, so that we did and soon reached a further fork. The two branches were both being well encroached by trees along the sides and we felt that it was now more an ATV path than one for us. So we turned around and crossed back over the bridge. 

Half way back along the narrow road we came face-to-face with that silver pickup. They seemed a bit at a loss on how to deal with the situation so I had Ethan backup a truck length to a wider spot and there we pulled off the road a bit to let them pass by. They made it around us with only a ‘bit’ of vegetation noises beating on their truck! Continuing on we came back to the earlier forks and tried them all but never getting too far as the roads ended before much distance. We then returned to the main Lost Creek road and drove along for the next side road.

Heading up the next we passed a few forks again taking the more major one each time. Soon we were climbing high enough to be driving through snow. Rounding a bend we came face-to-face with the same truck again. This time they pulled around us to make room. We chatted with them – two guys with a young child, they were enjoying the snow and planned to eat some hot dogs up here somewhere with a small campfire. Shortly after we passed them we came upon a frozen pond where I gathered a number of photos. We continued up the road past some viewpoints of the valley dropping to Stave Lake. As we continued up, the road started to narrow down again and we finally drove far enough that we slide sideways into a small sink hole at the edge of the road. Here we had to use the winch to get out of the hole. That took a few minutes but we were soon heading on up. We got a further kilometer before stopping due to narrowing road.

It had been quite some time since I last visited Wahleach Lake also known as Jones Lake. Last time was also in early December and on that trip the weather offered snow and the lake was mostly frozen over. It was a much colder day than it was today. At lake level the road was covered in rutted snow but it was easily driven and we had little trouble driving the eastern shoreline road. Our adventure for the day began shortly after starting up the road to the lake. A short distance up the road we stopped to adjust the truck and there we noticed the remains of a deer off to the side of the road. It had been caught by a hunter earlier. With the truck ready, we continued up the road and soon found ourselves in snow, it was deeply rutted and so we had no traction problems as we continued the climb to lake level.

Once we reached the start of the lake we drove in to the day use parking area and I walked down to the edge of the lake. The water level was down quite a bit from its high point and so I was able to get out much further than normal. The ground was covered in about 15cm of snow and gave a nice crunching sound as I walked along. I was able to gather a number of lovely reflections from this point unfortunately the cloud cover was low and obscured the peaks. Done with this spot, we continued our drive south stopping at a few places to gather up the changing views. As we made our way south the road became less used and by the far end we were starting to feel the depth of the snow. We stopped at the washed out bridge where I was able to gather some interesting shots of stumps left in the lake, by now the clouds had dropped even lower and I was not getting great views of the area. So we decided to head across the Fraser and explore the Garnet Creek region again.

Arriving at the start of the Garnet Creek FSR we immediately noticed a sign warning of active logging. Being late in the season we doubted there would be anyone out today, but you never know. The road ahead was covered in thick mud in a long undulating stretch of potholes – one’s body took a good beating as we made our way along this section of road! Once past the mud-bath we started climbing and were glad the road was back to a more normal level of roughness. After a few kilometers we came by the first of two logging sites that were the target of the posted warnings, as expected, they were closed for the winter. We continued past it and the second site and soon came by the sheer cliff wall that I was hoping would be covered in thick ice. Unfortunately it was wet and devoid of all ice. This was a major disappointment as the spot is quite amazing to behold with the huge icicles we found here before. Continuing up the road we soon crossed the bridge over a tributary to the Garnet , here we stopped to eat lunch and I gathered a number of photos of the creek below.

My kids were teen-agers when I visited the Sloquet hot springs over 10 years ago. Back then we made a night of it, camping out at the site next to our truck. There were a number camping there back then, all taking turns in the improvised pools that retained the hot water. It was a fun week-end and the boys all had a good time. When Geoff and I arrived there today, we found numerous tents pitched on the snow and down at the spring there were a few enjoying the water. It brought back memories of my first visit when it was less known, today the area is a popular forestry campsite with improvements – even the pools were better constructed and larger!

Over the years I had tried a couple of times to revisit the Sloquet Springs but never quite made it. So today, despite it being late in the season, we were determined to get there. We got off to a late start as it being voting day, I had to make a stop at the polling place before setting out. Having finished with one’s civic duty we rushed out to grab a coffee and some lunch supplies and then raced to Agassiz for final refueling and a few additional food items. It was past 10:30 by the time we reached the start of the West Harrison so time was definitely ticking away quickly. 

Not far up the road we encountered the first of the snow. It wasn’t deep and didn’t really slow us. We found some nice views at the first branch off the mainline and there we stopped to gather some photos before continuing on. As we had a mission, we actually passed by a number of interesting sights so that we could have sufficient time for the main goal - that was hard but necessary. At 20 mile bay we did stop and gather photos from the beach. This area is just too scenic to drive past without stopping. The lake level was way down so we were able to walk out some distance and gather some photos from a unique angle. The submerged posts and hazy distant peaks made for a wealth of opportunities. I wished I could have spent the day there but we had to get going all too soon.

Continuing north, the road was soon covered in a deeper snow layer, fortunately there was a nice set of ruts we could follow which make the drive faster despite the occasional icy spot. At the estuary of Bremer’s Creek there is a small camping area with a few unimproved camping spots. We first found this spot a few years back, back then I marveled at the views one had of the lake from the location. So today this was one spot we did take time to visit, and amazing lake views we did enjoy! It really is a lovely spot to camp at. Perhaps one I day will.

Once we were done with the small point we continued up the Harrison, it is at this point that the road gets really rough and weeds out the casual backcountry driver. It didn’t seem all that bad to us but I remembered back when we first drove it at how difficult we found it. Once past the worst of the roughness we encountered the deep stuff and were sliding a bit, the ruts helped us to stay centered. The snow kept getting deeper as we made our way deep up the Tretheway valley before crossing the creek and starting back to the lake. Once back to the lake the snow became shallower and we were soon dropping down to lake level at the end of the lake.

It being early November, the season was rapidly closing for any trips into the higher elevations. So if I wanted to try the loop from the East Harrison to the Nahatlatch it would need to be today and even now it may once again be too late to cross the pass at 1170 meters. But we would try, the last time I attempted the road was back in late April but we were stopped early due to snow. The last time I actually crossed the pass was back in September 2000, so as you can see it is well past time to get through it.

Ethan and I left at the regular time for the hills and we were soon picking up lunch supplies in Agassiz then it was off to the start of the East Harrison FSR. The initial section of road is now very well maintained and we made good time up to Slollicum Creek (upper rainbow) Falls where I regularly take a series of photos. As time was a bit uncertain today, I kept it quick at the falls and we were soon passing Bear Creek. The road between Bear Creek and Silver River is quite a bit rougher than the first section but we still made good time and encounter only a couple of others along the way. The watchman at the Silver River log yard waved at us as we left the yard, he seemed much more concerned with the pack of ATV’s that had arrived just before us.

The road continues to degrade as you pass the air strip and soon we were driving our traditional rough road. When we finally arrived at the high bridge crossing the Silver River we stopped to gather some photos of the gorge, I really enjoy the beauty of this segment of the river and standing on the bridge gives one an amazing view. I just wish one could do better at capturing the grandeur on camera. Not far past the bridge is a small stream with a lovely waterfall which is easily seen from the road. We stopped so I could gather a number of slow shutter photos of the stream. Then we continued up to the fork where the Shovel leaves the Harrison. Back in April Geoff and I enjoyed lunch at the bridge just past the fork but today, I wanted to try for the end of the Harrison FSR before trying the pass, so we continued north along the Harrison and soon were past the spot that Geoff and I got to last time. We had some great views of the western peaks and soon we were driving a lovely moss covered road. Eventually we came to a major pair of cross-ditches that we took as the end of our driving. We likely could have continued but the road beyond looked poor and I was starting to get concerned about having time to try the pass, so we opted to turn back and leave the way ahead for an ATV trip.

It was a rainy day today and I hadn't planned to get out but Carolyn wanted to go to a particular restaurant for lunch which was well past the town of Sparta. So rather than just drive there and wish I had a camera - should we spot some good looking trees - I brought my camera along.

We did see a couple of nice looking groups as we drove along the John Wise Line which I stopped to capture. The second was near the restaurant so I decided to get it on the way back. The actual restaurant had some nice grounds that would normally have made for a lovely walk and probably had some nice items worth photographing but the intermittent rain kept me from exploring the grounds. I will need to return as the food was very good and deserves a future visit.

After a nice breakfast packed up the gear and set out for the cliff. Arriving in good time I saw a crowd of cars parked at the end of the road including a school bus! I did find a spot to park between two cars and I gathered up my camera. As I made way to the cliff I saw that the group of kids were gathered around a chap explaining about raptors. He had a smaller one on his hand with which I suppose he was demonstrating some natural behavior. I didn't stop and soon I was at the cliff edge.

The place looked much the same as in prior years, I walked east along the edge of the field and noticed a number of monarch butterflies flitting around. Looking across the field I was disappointed to see very little colour in the trees. I walked along the cliff for some distance and noticed a couple of spots where the edge had worn away a bit more. I don't know why the owner doesn't plant some trees along here to strengthen the edge. After walking for a while I returned to the car and started back down the road. In a small dip I saw a few colored trees and so I stopped to take a few shots, while there I spotted a raccoon in the distance heading for the small stream. I returned to the car and drove off to the main road and then continued across it.

My first day in Port Stanley on this year's holiday, it was nice to have a sunny day rather than the forecast rain. So as I wasn't sure if I would have any more good days, I set out to find some sights to photograph. I decided to head west along the coast line as I always felt closer to the back country in this area. 

I filled up the tank and set out along Warren Street and Lake Line. This path seems to get one into the colour the fastest of all roads from Port Stanley. I was soon passing farms and stands of trees but very little colour. It seems that the trees were either bare or green! Later I met up with a chap who was out taking photos like me who said that the high winds had dropped the colored leaves and only the green were still on the trees. They should be turning over the next little while. Unfortunately today the bushes were not looking all that exciting and I won't be here when they are. 

I did find one small section of forest with some colour and I stopped to watch the light play on it as clouds came and went hiding the sun for a few minutes at a time. After gathering a few photos I continued on retracing my old path to the Pearce Park. The trees were quite bare near the old church cemetery I visited on past trips so I zipped past and soon arrived at the John Pearce Park.

As I was organizing my cameras for walking, the other photographer came by and we chatted for a bit. I waited while he took a few shots of the entrance to the park and then I started down the circular road. It was thick with dry leaves which made for a lovely crunching sound as I walked along. But the trees were not all that interesting. I did gather a few photos of the lake and beach from the cliff edge; I decided to stay on top as the lake level was high and the beach almost non-existent. Returning to the car I continued along the lake side road to Duttona Beach. 

There is a public walkway to the beach that I found last year and so I drove to it and walked out to the beach. I didn't have a lot of maneuvering room with the lake level so high but I did get a number of interesting shots of the waves and high winds. I made my way back to the car while a chap in the next house busily organized his wood pile for winter. It seemed that most of the cottages were empty only the larger ones seemed to be occupied. Done with Duttona, I continued west to Port Glasgow. I hadn't been this far before so I was hoping for some new opportunities.

As we had poor colour on our drives up north yesterday, we thought we give the area to the south a go for today's trip. After a brief stop to pick up Luc, Mike's son, we started up the escarpment and started looking for spots of colour. It was not long before we realized that this area wasn’t any better.

We continued driving south trying various side roads hoping for a bit of colour. We did spot small patches but they were generally around homes or encumbered by power lines. So we kept driving and before long we realized we were getting close to Lake Erie. We were only a few kilometers away from a small residential area named Lowbanks. Mike had often heard of the area growing up as we were also close to his childhood home, but he had never been there. So we thought we would check out the area and hope we would find some waves in the high winds.

We reached the narrow road that runs along the shore and we immediately saw waves breaking over the breakwaters. With the high winds it was quite spectacular. We parked and took a little while to enjoy the high winds and gather photos of the surf. We drove east along the road to a small park where we met a chap who was getting ready to do some wind surfing. We decided to park and walk to the beach to gather a few more photos. There we felt the full impact of the wind, it was incredibly strong, blowing us over and spitting sand and water into the air. We did manage a number of shots but holding the telephoto lens steady was virtually impossible. We then slowly followed along the beach to where the windsurfers were. On rounding the point we immediately entered a wind shadow and there we stayed to watch two chaps out on the water. They were having a terrible time trying to get into position. After many tries one of them finally got up and had a few second run before he fell again. As we were starting to get cold, we returned to the car and set off of the nearest town for lunch.