Done with this side of the river, we returned to the mainline and continued up, crossing over the Mamquam and then taking the branch the parallels the south slope of the river. Previously we started this road but stopped early as it seemed to be well overgrown. Today I had closely observed the road from the north side and felt it was worth pushing through the trees. So that we did and very quickly the road opened up and we had some clear travel for a few km’s before we were stopped by a serious washout rut travelling through the middle of a steep section of the road. We likely could have found a way past but we were satisfied with the distance we had made along this side of the river. We had also found a lovely pond along here that was surrounded by wild blueberries which made for some good photos. We backed up the road to just before it connects to the mainline and there we ate our lunch with a nice view of Mt Garibaldi to the north.

After lunch we continued up the mainline to the end of the road and then we drove a few more side roads on our way back. Here we thought back to the previous trip Geoff and I made to this area on October 7, 2011. Back then the weather was moving cloud around on us and we had times when we were engulfed by cloud. Today it was bright sun and the place seemed less alive but still it is a nice area. After completing a number of short spurs we came by one with a huge tree down across the road. There was a cut made out of the top half of the tree forming a path where an ATV could get over. This was just too tempting and so Geoff got out the chain saw and we proceeded to cut through the tree and haul it out of the way. After a bit of work we finally had the gap opened up enough and we drove past. A bit further we had a second tree to drag off the road. This one didn’t need any cutting. A bit further along we reached a group of fallen trees with a washed out road just beyond, now this was the end of the road for us.

We felt it was a good adventure so far and so we turned back and made our way out and back home without further incident. A pleasant outing and one in which I finally made it to the end of the Mamquam valley and roads.

With a lovely view and the warm sunshine we had found the spot for the day. It didn’t take long for Brett to have his inverted V antenna set up and making contacts across North America.  We also were chatting with other club members on two meters with Ralph’s Yagi. After a couple of hours of operating we had made around 18 contacts. This was now a successful activation of the peak for summits on the air. Having successfully achieved the activation, we decided to pack up before we got too hot and tired. The return hike went quickly and soon we were closing in on the truck but in looking back up the slope, Ralph was nowhere to be seen, and he wasn’t answering our calls. Finally we did reach him on a handheld radio and discovered that he was too far down the slope and to the right of the truck. After giving him new directions on the way back, Brett and I finished the hike to the truck and waited for Ralph to arrive. Soon we heard him crashing through the brush as he climbed up to the road.

Now that we’re all together again we set off for the return trip home. The drive down the mountain went without incident though we had to wait for a logging crew to unlock the previously open gate. Soon we were back on pavement heading home. The day was a success and we all felt we had a good day and enjoyed ourselves on the summit of Mount Agassiz.

After a lengthy study we finally decided to continue up the ridge to the first peak as it avoided the snow fields and though steep and criss-crossed with a few dense thickets of trees, it was probably safer. So up we continued and then we reached the first peak. The views were nice and we stayed for a few minutes to regain our breath before starting down the second ridge to the true summit. Here we were able to test out some snow fields in a safer way and found them to be more solid than first thought.

Heading down the ridge to the saddle went quickly and once at the lowest point we stopped to reflect on our prior trip as it was here where we turned back. A moments thought was all that was worth and now we were on our way up the final section of the hike to the true summit. This section actually seemed longer than I was expecting as we kept seeing shoulders and cornices that teased us into thinking we were most to the summit. But eventually we achieved the summit and were able to get a longer rest and eat our lunch. From here we could see up the Silver-Skagit valley and we were also able to look down on Eaton Lake on the far side of the valley.  Well one can’t stay at the top of the world for too long, soon we had to start the long trek back to the truck. Heading down is always faster for me and I wasn’t doing too badly keeping up to Geoff but then we had to climb the ridge back up to the sub-peak and that was slow going again.

On our trip down we travelled across the snow fields much more than on the way up as we had come to trust them a bit more and if we stayed back from the edge next to the big drop, it could save us time in getting back. Though we had some tiny slides, it went quite well crossing on the snow, and it was definitely cooler walking on them now that we were in the hottest part of the day. The constant breeze was also a welcome part of the day. Once into the forested section Geoff was constantly watching his GPS to keep to the trail we had made coming out. He did really quite well at following the path and soon we were at the logging road making our way the final way along the easier smooth surface.

The hike was tiring and challenging in places where we were crossing talus with steep drops around us and a couple of difficult points where we had to push through some dense trees on a steep slope. We felt good at being able to find a workable path along ridge lines and forests to reach our goals. I do feel much more comfortable now at being able to hike other summits with no trail markings and so I am looking forward to our second hike this summer which also has no marked trail to follow.

Dean took us to the first location – a lovely picnic area next to Snug Cove where we had just arrived via the ferry. The park area over-looks the ferry terminal and one could walk to it from the park. It was actually an almost ideal location for our event. While there we took the opportunity to follow a short hiking trail to the top of Dorman Point where we enjoyed a lovely eastern view looking back on Horseshoe bay and UBC. We then returned to the picnic area and checked it out more carefully before returning to the car for a drive across the island to the golf course on the SE corner. Here we ate lunch and thought through the direction of the small bays around here. In the end we felt they faced the wrong direction and that the first picnic area would be better.

We next drove to the NE corner of the island where a local Amateur lived – Tom - and we ascended his very steep and windy driveway up a cliff face to his home. He has a spectacular view across to the sea-to-sky highway and Horseshoe Bay. He also has some very large antennas stretched between trees high up the cliff face giving him some excellent reception. He offered the help of the few active amateurs on the island for our event. After a short visit admiring his view we returned to Snug Cove for our return trip on the ferry. It was a nice but short visit and I will need to return to have more time exploring the natural aspects of the island.

We then took the branch up to the ski-hill. Last time we got as far as a locked gate but today the gate was unlocked and so we were able to continue along the road to the end where there is an old lodge that was once part of a ski facility. It was somewhat in poor shape but still usable for shelter. I don’t think it would take much to revitalize it. There was a family with ATV’s driving around the level area including some very small machines with little kids on them. I gathered a few photos but nothing all the spectacular here. So we backtracked past the gate - enduring some odd looks from the residents of the local cabins - and took another side road which led up the slope. Here we really had a rough time with the truck it was having extreme difficulty making itself up out of cross-ditches on the slope. We got quite concerned that we may get stuck up here. We did reach the end of this spur and I enjoyed some of the views looking back down on the road we had just driven to the lodge

We then returned back to the main ski-hill road and made our way back and came by another short spur which we took. It was along this side branch that I gathered some nice photos 4 years ago. We drove to the end of the road where we had to pull a large rock off the roadway. We could go only a short distance more as the road was washed out just before a lovely stream where I gathered some slow shutter photos. Here we ate lunch and once done we returned to the mainline and continued in.

Soon we were at the second washed out bridge across the Sumallo and here also the river looked just a bit too deep for us to try the crossing. So we continued up the mainline to the end where it crosses a much smaller stream on a broad level gravel bar. We stopped for more photos. The valley up here is actually very pretty and I would like to explore it in more detail somehow.

On our return we drove a couple of side branches, one we did previously the other was new to us. The truck seed to improve for a while and then struggle with the slow speeds. So we decided to not push it any further as it now seemed to be getting worse. It was mid-afternoon and though heading out now would be a little early, it was better than being stuck with engine issues. So we opted to head home before our luck ran out. The drive back went without incident and we got home early. Now I need to get the beast in for repair before I need it again in two weeks.

We continued up the Mystery Creek FSR and soon gained some elevation on the north side of the valley. Soon we came to a nice viewpoint where I got out to take photos. It was here that we met up with a caravan of 12+ jeeps trekking together. They unfortunately were coming down the road and it being one lane Geoff opted to back up a kilometer to a wide spot. Meanwhile I gathered a few photos. Geoff eventually made it back and we continued up the road the short distance further which was cleared. Here was a wide spot with some trailers that were occupied. We looked around briefly and then started back along the road. We decided to go to the fork and see if we could travel along the actual West Harrison. 
When we reached the fork we noticed some ruts heading out, but it looked deep and I didn’t think we could get far. Geoff wanted to give it a go but just as he was getting ready to move a pair of ATV’s came up the road and told us that the snow got very deep quickly and they got stuck only a short ways in and there was a tree down which we would need to clear to get even that far. We reluctantly decided to not try it. We started our drive back along the mainline past the loggers and started looking for a good side road to try.

We soon found one on the lake side of the road and there we came to the same two ATV’s who had stopped for a bit of lunch. We chatted for a bit and decided to eat our own lunch. While there a few jeeps came and went heading down the side road we were on which led down the slope to the lake. Once we finished lunch we decided we would also try the road but we soon discovered that we weren’t going anywhere – our hot tires had melted the snow where we were parked and now we couldn’t move. We were about to hook up the winch when another jeep came by and offered to give us a pull which we accepted.

We then set off down the road it was steep, snow covered, icy and extremely rough. We probably shouldn’t have tried it. But others had and we thought it would be fine. Unfortunately, not far from the bottom we encountered an extremely rough washed out section that was just too much for our long wheelbase. So we turned around and started up. It was as we cleared the worst of the challenges that we remembered that we had a broken leaf spring and should be taking things easy. We quickly got out to see if the spring was twisted but it looked fine and so we continued up. Soon we came to a steep water crossing that had formed an ice patch which stopped us dead. So we had to winch ourselves passed the stream to where we could get some traction. Soon enough we were back on the mainline heading south.

The clouds had moved in a bit and the sun was getting low so we decided to head home. As we came to the Helmlock Valley FSR I noticed that side road looked drivable and might be clear enough to reach a viewpoint so we started up it. We didn’t get too far – the first switch back – but we did get a nice view of the lake. As Geoff turned around at the switch back we got stuck. We felt that it would be best to put on the chains and so we dug out around the tires and put on the chains. It was hard going as our hands were cold and not that nimble. Eventually the chains were in place and we resumed our turn-a-round. This time we were able to get turned and we started down the road, not far along Geoff looked out and one of the chains had twisted and we had to remove it, we decided to continue without it. Soon a second and then third chain followed suit and we finished the drive down the spur with a single chain in place. We hadn’t put the rubber tensioners in place and so the chains were slipping. But we were soon back on the clear mainline and we set off for the start of the Fsr. The short remaining distance went without surprises and once at the end we checked over the springs – they still looked fine and so we left for home after a stop in Abbotsford for an end of day coffee.

It was still early so we turned off onto the Foley Creek FSR and gathered a few photos of the Chilliwack River. We didn’t get very far here either, as the road was deeply rutted and we didn’t feel like putting on the chains again. After some photos were collected we zipped down the main road to the Tamihi FSR where we turned off to explore this area which was where I enjoyed some of my earliest adventures. The lower road was clear of snow and we made it several kilometers in along the creek to the first bridge. It was unfortunately blocked off by a barricade as the bridge railings had rotted off and though the bed was solid concrete and seemed stable, the powers to be felt it unsafe to drive. So we missed out on the majority of the road.

We back tracked to a major fork and took the upper branch which was soon buried in snow. We came by a pair of guys doing some serious target shooting and stopped to watch for a few moments. Then it was up the road as far as we could go before the snow stopped us. We got less than a kilometer as the road here was covered in ice and not worth driving. A short distance from where we stopped we had a lovely view of the Fraser Valley and I was able to gather a few more shots before we set off back to the start of the road and the final leg out. Once in Sardis I was feeling a bit deprived of caffeine so we made an emergency stop at the local Starbucks to fix up the situation. It was a gentle drive (by our standards) but still very enjoyable and though I didn’t get many photos I still felt the day was a success.

This road followed along the Cogburn valley and being on a western slope it was clear of snow until close to 600m. By the time we turn back the snow was still passable but trees had fallen across the way and we could see that the snow depth was rapidly increasing and it wouldn’t be worth the effort to clear trees for a few hundred meters of road. Even so, earlier while Geoff was clearing some fallen trees he managed to fall and bruise his arm badly enough that I actually had to drive the truck for a while until his arm settled down.

We back-tracked to a level spot with a view of the Talc valley and there we stopped to enjoy our warm lunch. Geoff was able to start a small camp fire which gave more smoke than warmth but it was still a pleasant setting for a short stay. Done with lunch we continued back down the side road to the main Talc line and then took another side road which also followed the Cogburn valley but much lower on the slope. Here we soon encountered a large tree fallen across the road. Rather than cut it we decided to try out the new chain we had prepared and drag the tree. It took a few goes as branches kept snapping off under the strain. Once moved with drove up the side road and soon came by a huge moss covered rock.

The rock demanded our attention and so we parked and climbed up on it. The mosses were quite colourful and had many nice textures. I gathered a few images while Geoff explored the far side of the rock, he soon discovered that the far side had a sheer drop of 75 feet to the forest below! Being damp moss one had to be careful not to slip and go for an extended and fast trip to the trees below. We did make it back to the truck safely and as the rest of the road was not drivable we returned to the start of the Talc creek FSR and made our way to Cogburn Creek.

As expected, the Cogburn Creek FSR was gated at the start and as we realized earlier in the day the road at this elevation was quite bare of snow. So we took a few moments to explore the campsites below the main bridge over the creek before starting back down the mainline and our way out. As we drove south we tried the side road leading up Bear creek but found a locked gate before we got far. 

We decided to go back to where we had hiked to the small stream and take the road that led to the start of the stream and a small lake. To the north-east of the lake the road continues up a steep rise and one can walk out to a cliff face with a gorgeous view of the small lake and Harrison Lake beyond it. Here we stopped to enjoy the view and gather a few last photos before setting off for home. So even though our day was much different from our initial plans we found numerous interesting sites and had a decent time in the hills.

We came back to a waterfall that we ignored on the way in but now we stopped to gather some photos of it. Meanwhile Geoff set out for the river and did some target practice. Once done with the photos and the targets we continued our drive back and came by the B300 side road. It was clear and we decided to head on up. This was a new road for us and we were making some good distance along it. There was a further side branch that we took which climbed the slope and soon we were into a few inches of snow which made for a bit of slipping but the over-hanging trees were the bigger problem. So while Geoff drove I got out and cut down a few brush trees to clear the road. We made decent progress and got to a nice view point before the snow got too deep. It being lunch time and the view decent we decided to have our lunch right there. It was at this point I discovered I was missing my hat and that I no longer had protection from the glare. Once done with lunch we carefully backed down the road to where there was another fork that looked interesting. The side fork lead a short distance back to the slope edge where there was a wide flat area with a great view of the valley. It was a popular camping spot and a cemented fire pit had been built, it was quite huge.

Once done with the view we turned around and continued back down just before we reached the end of the section where we first had to clear some trees Geoff spotted my hat on the snow. So we were able to retrieve it after-all. It was unfortunately a bit wet to be worn at first. We returned to the Squamish mainline and a drove back to the B200 branch which we drove up, here we encountered some logging equipment parked along the side. We were able to get up past the spot I had found earlier with a great view of the valley but soon after we were stopped once again by snow. We had passed a truck that had unloaded a pair of snow mobiles which were somewhere up the slope.

Done with the 200 branch we back-tracked to the Ashlu and decided to drive up it. Unfortunately we got only a short distance past the power station before the road became deep with snow. So we reluctantly decided to head out. It was at this point that John called on the radio and invited in for a visit so we left the hills and made for his home – a measly kilometer from the start of the FSR. We had a great visit – he showed us his new quad-copter which he had just received earlier that week. He had it out flying earlier this morning and showed us the video he had captured with it. I was quite impressed with the quality of the gopro camera and the amazing angles he captured while flying the device. I think that one of these would give us some amazing video and be a great addition to our photos of the back-country. After spending an hour with John we resumed our trek home but not until we had refueled with another dose of drugs in Squamish.

Though the lake was frozen over, the layers of ice were not very strong as they were mainly refrozen snow layers but they were strong enough to allow us to walk out a short distance to a small stump. All this time I was gathering more photos of the peaks. They really were quite spectacular with the cover of snow. The sparkling snow crystals and black stumps strewn across the white snow field added an interesting foreground to the peaks. The short visit to the lake and walk across the bank was well worth the effort and we both found a number of sights that were quite interesting. Once we had explored the area below the gorge we returned to the truck to see how much further the cleared road went.

As we continued along we passed another parked truck, I noticed the occupants climbing back up the lake bank, they had been out there like ourselves. Even though they had likely been out there while we were I never noticed them, the area can be so vast that people just sink into it and disappear. We continued on a short way more but soon the cleared road ended. We looked at the road past the clear area and realized that it would be impossible for us to drive it. So we turned around and started down the road to the highway.

Once back to pavement we turned towards the town of Hope and then up the Fraser Canyon to the American Creek FSR. We missed it on our first pass but soon we were back on gravel and heading up the valley. We soon came by a guy under his car repairing something on it, but he looked like he was not in need of help so we continued on. The road had become quite muddy but still clear enough for us to drive and so we did. Finally we came by a fork the one path led up slope following the power lines. This fork looked a bit uninviting and seemed to be deteriorating quickly. So we backtracked and started down the other branch which led to a bridge across American Creek. When we reached the bridge we saw that the road ended just past the bridge. So we concluded that the other fork was the main way in but it now being lunch time we decided to stop on the bridge and eat lunch.

The wind had picked up and we found starting our burners took quite a few attempts but fortunately our soups were soon heating and we were able to enjoy a hot meal. Once done with lunch I gathered a few photos of the creek and then we turned back to the fork. Ethan wasn’t feeling the best so we decided to forego any tougher driving and head back to town. After picking up a coffee at the Blue Moose, I continued the driving and we set off for home. Though a shorter day, we did find some amazing views and we got to enjoy a couple spots that’s I had wanted to revisit.