Qualms one may have had about doing multiple summits in one day were put to rest early on as we set off for our adventure. We had picked three summits that had short hikes with the last expected to be a drive up to the summit with a short walk. Mt. Agassiz was to be our first summit for the day. It was the longest of the hikes and one we had done before. Next would be Mt. Woodside followed by McKee Peak. From each we would operate our radios to active the summit in the Summits on the air (SOTA) program. We were looking forward to bagging all three and getting a first activation for McKee.

We left the house shortly after 8am and were soon racing along Lougheed Highway in the wake of a truck carrying a tractor. It was moving at a fair clip so we weren’t tempted to pass it. We did finally get past the truck as we started up the section on Mt. Woodside where the road gained a lane for the climb. No sooner had we passed him then we turned off onto the forestry road. A quick stop to lock in the 4x4 mode and we were off for the ridgeline. My next concern was whether the gate we encountered last time would be open or locked. So as each kilometer ticked by and the road continued to look heavily used by forestry vehicles I got more and more certain we may have an issue. But we soon reached a broad area on the far side of the gate and having not seen it I surmised that it had been removed! So nice for a change. We continued on, passing some active logging areas and soon we were parking in the old spot we used last time.

We soon had our gear on and picking our way along the forest floor following the track on the gps I made on our previous hike. It helped keep us heading in the right direction. As we got closer to the summit I noticed a faint trail with the occasional flag. It seems that the summit is starting to get a bit of interest though the path is very slight at this point. We followed it in a few places. I wasn’t sure where it comes out on the road as the flagging wasn’t heading to our starting point. We made the summit in decent time though we were a bit behind schedule. We had both forgotten just how steep this hike was in places, fortunately it was under a kilometer in length. We passed by the summit for the open viewpoint a short distance away. It is a bare spot above a steep cliff face and offers a lovely view of the Fraser Valley. After peeling off our packs, Ralph and I started setting up our antennas. I had my simple 2m yagi on the air soon and started calling out for contacts. Ralph soon was making CW (Morse code) contacts across the continent. I eventually managed 4 but it was a bit of a struggle. But 4 is all I needed and soon Ralph had more than enough in his log and we were packing up the gear for the slog back to the truck.

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.

Occasions to explore a new to me trail is always a fun adventure. Today Carolyn and I hiked the trail to the summit of Black Mountain, one of the three peaks that form Cypress Bowl. I have hiked the other two several times but never seemed to get to Black. Well today was my chance to conquer this summit. It wasn’t going to be a long day so we set off at a leisurely time of 9:30 and headed straight for coffee and the highway to Cypress Bowl. All was proceeding to plan until we got to a kilometer before Cassiar tunnel where the traffic stopped moving. Traffic slowed us down for the next few kilometers and it wasn’t until we got up the cut in North Vancouver that we started moving at a decent speed again. The traffic delayed us a half hour! Well we weren’t in a hurry so on we went to the parking area.

We arrived amongst dozens of cyclists making their way up the Cypress causeway to find a well filled parking lot. There was still a lot of room but the numbers of vehicles was surprising. Once we carved out a parking spot we got our equipment loaded and set off for a quick bathroom break before the ascent. We made our way to the end of the lot and double checked the route on a big map and then made for the Baden Powell Trail. We were soon trailing along it enjoying the easy trail. Unfortunately we missed a small sign to turn off the easy trail and were now walking the Yew Lake interpretive one. It was nice but soon we realized we had missed our departure and back tracked to the fork and set off on the correct path.

The trail soon started gaining elevation and though it was a well-traveled and maintained one, it was still a challenge as the grade increased. The trail had a lot of loose gravel on it which made it harder to walk, but a well-trod path along the broader trail was clear of rocks and allowed us an easier time walking in many spots. It was quite steep in places but being short, we were soon arriving at the top ridge line where there is a nice lake to cool off in. We didn’t stop at this point as I was behind time for getting my Summit radio activation started and so we immediately set off for the north summit a short distance further. A few minutes later I arrived at the marked summit and dropped my pack for a rest.

New on the Summits-on-the-air list of peaks is Vedder Mountain. It isn’t a very high mountain but being the southern flank of the Fraser valley it looms above us and offers some excellent outdoor activities. The mountain is easy access and as such has many trails for hikers, atv’s and mountain bikers. On an average summer week-end it is full of users. I knew that it would be an easy target for SOTA hikers so if I wanted to achieve the first activation I needed to hike it soon after its arrival on the official SOTA list. So to that end I selected the hike for today, it also was short enough and tree covered that the hike would work in the heat.

Our day began at 8am when Geoff arrived at my place. Joining us on this hike was Bruce Prior. He is a fellow SOTA hiker and I was looking forward to meeting him. He lives across the border in Blaine which from my house is actually very close by. He arrived around 7:40 only to discover he left his hiking poles at home and he always uses them. So he zipped back across the line and picked them up. As expected the line was delayed and he didn’t get back until around 8:30. We set off and gathered some coffee and fuel and then made for the mountain.

The forestry road was undergoing improvement and so there were a lot of cleared logs alongside the road and it had a much rougher and looser surface due to the work. It was no problem for our truck but poor Bruce was in the back seat getting some serious bounces. We followed the mainline to the designated fork and turned up it for a short distance and reached the marked spot for the start of the trail. The road was seriously dug out here, designed to stop all motorized vehicles. They did a very thorough job, even a motor bike would have second thoughts of continuing!

We got our gear on and started up the rest of the road carefully picking our way across the dugout. The trail continues along the road for a short ways to the official trailhead. Here there were steel cable covered logs and cables strung across the trail with signs stating it was a foot trail only. These guys are really serious up here. We made it past that barrier and started up the trail. It was a very pleasant hike as the trail was soft for the feet, well-marked and worn and the trees provided constant shade to keep the heat down.  The three of us followed the trail easily and found it a very pleasant one to hike. It added a number of rises and dips to the slow elevation gain we were making. About half way there is a short side trail to a lovely viewpoint to the north. Here we stopped to enjoy the valley view and eat a few morsels before continuing to the summit.

 The trail now started getting a bit more serious and we had some steeper climbs and descents as we continued to the summit. There was one long descent to a small lake near the summit. This of course meant there would be a long ascent on our way home. Geoff was in front of me as I started the descent along the south side of the small lake. I suddenly hear a loud splash below me and looked through the trees to see good sized waves in the lake. Geoff stopped and confirmed that something big had jumped in it. He got his defender shotgun unholstered as a precaution. Then we continued our descent to the edge of the lake. Bruce was a bit behind me at this point and when he came into view we warned him of the fun.

My first ascent of Cheam was way back in 2002 with two of my sons, today I hiked with two of my amateur radio buddies. The trail and views haven’t really changed across those years but the approach road is now much worse and the top section of the trail has been shifted away from a steep drop to a more gradual climb.  Our adventure today was to activate the summit again in the Summits-on-the-air (SOTA) program as was our previous hike  back in 2012. So Ralph, John and I set out from my place at the unhealthy time of 6:30AM so we could reach the summit before noon.

Our drive to the start of the Chipmunk FSR went smoothly and we made good time in the light traffic though I did comment that it seemed heavier than I thought it would be at this hour. Once on the FSR we made good speed along the section of road that parallels the Chilliwack River but when we turned off it to the longer section running up Chipmunk Creek the road was in a very rough state. The potholes were numerous and deep and the cross-ditches were deep, wide and rough! It was slow driving and extremely jarring. I really was amazed that so many drive this road and even some cars! They must leave a few pieces behind as they make their way along.

We arrived at the parking area a bit before 9am only to find it almost full! That was our first surprise of the day. But we did squeeze into a decent spot and then we started getting geared up for the hike. It was a cool morning and the sun was coming and going between clouds. So, a perfect day to be setting out for the summit 4.5km away. We made excellent time along the remains of the road and were soon descending into the bowl between Cheam and Lady Peaks. It was lush and brilliant green, no remains of mud slides and debris like I encountered on previous trips.  We made our way to the first bridge across a small stream, it was recently rebuilt and this time based on a pair of steel girders! It should last for a while. Passing Spoon Lake showed no snow piles this year, the snow levels were down everywhere though I could see a few patches high up the slopes.

The trail then starts a steep climb to gain some elevation before turning right into a small treed section before emerging on a wide slope which had a narrow trail cut through an immense field of wild flowers. Today we mostly enjoyed white with a sprinkling of blue. We took a short rest before starting up the slope to the next level area at its top. A couple of hikers passed us but soon we had made it past some others that were taking it easy. We were actually making very good time and I was finding my energy level staying decent. The cooler temperature I’m sure had a lot to do with it. We reached the main col between Cheam and Lady to find a number of tents set up with the occupants stirring between them. The small pond that is normally here was dried up so the area was a nice spot for the tents.

Looking back on my back-country travels by truck and foot has shown me just how much I miss sharing the experience with my wife Carolyn. She hasn’t been able to join me in the hills due to health reasons until lately. Today’s adventure saw the two of us driving to the Coquihalla summit and then up a very steep and severely eroded road to the start of the Mount Zoa summit trail. Our adventure starts a few weeks earlier as we contemplated what we could do together now that her health had been improving.

We had recently hiked a trail to Lindeman Lake to see how things went, our next challenge was to up the ante and try for an easy summit. The Zoa trail met the needs and it would also allow me to do my radio operating in the summits-on-the-air (SOTA) program. So after some planning and equipment purchases we were ready for the hike. The drive along the highway was easy but then we reached the parking area for Falls Lake! There is a narrow opening for a road to service the gas line and after switching into 4x4 mode I started for the gap. Carolyn was wondering what I was thinking but we edged through and started up the gravel road.

The next thing she saw was the very badly eroded and deeply rutted remains of a road. I continued along as though it was nothing serious, I did have to carefully plan my way along it but generally not too difficult. Then we turned up a steep side road that required shifting down to low gearing. Once up on the gas right-of-way I turned the truck around and parked. It was quite an eye-opener for her. We quickly got our gear on and started for the trailhead just a short distance down from where we were parked. The first bit of trail involves climbing some steep slope to get off the gas line right-of-way and into undamaged forest. It was quite a start for her. The trail itself is fairly easy to hike as it is well marked and not too steep. We made decent time along the trail and soon we were passing the actual summit for an area with some nice views. Here we stopped to rest and eat lunch.

Keeping up to date with the Silver River power project has been an on-going interest for me. On our previous visit to the Silver River we explored some of the changes completed by the Power Project. I wanted to revisit the area and see how things have progressed and enjoy some of the sights that the improved roads offered. So we set off for Harrison and the east-side. The drive to the start of the logging road went smoothly. Soon we were starting up the gravel and listening to the road frequency for any activity. Now it being a long week-end we were expecting a lot of week-end campers on the road and campsites, we were not let down. Cars were inching their way along the road as they made their way to a campsite. Now one thing I have noticed about this crowd is that they really don’t understand the rules of engagement out here. Most seasoned back country drivers are all too ready to pull over and let faster vehicles pass but this crowd just hogs the road crawling along at what likely seems to them a good pace. We had to pass a few cars on the way up, I’m sure they were quite surprised at what a normal speed for out here really is.

The Bear Creek camping area was packed with campers, cars were parked alongside the road for a few kilometers, and it was even more packed when we returned. Talking with the campsite host on our way in told us that the some campers were causing issues and required some RCMP handling which was taking place when we returned. They also asked if we knew of any that could help one car owner who had shredded a tire and had no spare! Why anyone would drive up here without a spare is really beyond me. People just don’t seem to get that they are not in well supported area.

Once past the beach we encountered far fewer but still saw that most camp spots along the water were full. We made it through the Silver River log yard and past the air strip. Then we turned left off the main line and onto the Pine Service Road. This is Geoff’s favourite area for hunting. The road has been improved by the power project and we were planning on driving to the end of the new road to see what they had done for the project. We made it through all the old road and stopped to look over some of the grassy areas that Geoff really enjoys walking across during his hunting events. We then continued along the road but came to a stop where a huge log had been pulled across the road to stop travel. Now we were a bit miffed by it and considered how we would move it. Not too difficult but then we thought that it was keeping that rowdy group out and though we could winch it off we wouldn’t be able to put it back.  So since I wanted to see a fair amount of area to ay we decided to leave it for now.

Jammed into my wife’s Buick with our gear was my good friend Ralph and a fellow club member Jim. Such was how we started our adventure to the summit of Hollyburn in order to make a few radio contacts in the Summits on the Air program. Our day began at 8am as we loaded up the car and started the first leg of our journey to the summit. We were soon ordering coffee at the first Starbucks we passed and then starting the real drive to the mountain. The day threatened rain but the percentage was low so we felt like taking a risk and heading up there. As we got closer our concerns got louder but being the optimistic type, we decided to continue to the trailhead and decide there if we would hike or not.

As we reached the parking area our eyes were presented with bumper to bumper cars parked solid along both sides of the road! Now this seemed very unusual and we sure hoped that they weren’t all on the hike to the summit. After driving a distance along the road and then back to the start we finally found a small gap we could slide into and park. Once outside the car we were able to ask what was going on. It was a foot race along the lower trails with hundreds of participants. This was one of five peaks that the group races each year.

Well, the cloud base was below us so we were already in the mist but it wasn’t raining just dull so we decided to start the hike. We geared up and checked over everything and then set out for the start of the path along the powerlines. Soon we met a race organizer who explained a bit about the race and showed us a map of the route. We were on it for only a short section of our hike. We said good bye and started up the steep section of the powerline portion of the route.  When we arrived at the small lakes that border the power lines I stopped to gather a few mist shrouded photos of them before continuing on. As we reached the fork where we turn off the powerline road and onto the narrow trail to the summit we were passed by the first of the racers. He was making fast time along the course and zipped past us with second place close behind.

The hike up the trail went without incident and though a bit muddy in a few places the trail was easy to travel. We met a few on the way down but the traffic was light. We weren’t able to see much nor very far as the cloud obscured most views beyond a few hundred feet. A shame as the sights are quite pleasant and Jim has never been here. The final portion of the trail traverses some smooth rock faces and hugs some cliff edges but generally it is easy to cross and soon we were dropping our packs at the summit and sitting down for a needed rest.  The cloud seemed thicker up here and the view was not to be had.

I am always surprised at how long it is between visits, my last time to the lake was over 6 years ago! There is so much back country to explore that it seems to take a long time to get back to some old favourite sites. Well even though the lake itself was essentially the same as last trip except for the water level being a bit higher due to the spring melt, the new parking lot and swarms of visitors was very different. It seems that the lake has become well known and people by the dozens are now hiking in to enjoy a few minutes at the lake. The far end still gets fewer but even there it was busy with bodies.

Now today’s hike had special significance to me in that my wife Carolyn was able to go with me. This was the first time in over 20 years that she has been well enough to do a hike like this. This is the start of what I hope will be many more adventures in the hills. I am looking forward to her seeing some of the amazing sites I have enjoyed over the years.

As is typical of most trips, todays began with a first stop for coffee followed by one for fuel. Today we were able to drive Carolyn’s Buick as we were on pavement the entire way. That added some comfort to the trip but I did miss the truck, it just seems so much a part of the back country experience. We made good time to Chilliwack and then up the Chilliwack Lake road. On arriving at Post Creek we saw the large parking area and drove through it looking for a parking spot – none were open so back to the road and the traditional location alongside of the pavement. We got our gear ready and set off for the trail.

The parking are area now boasts an outhouse but the line-up for it was more than either of us wanted to wait for. So off we went along the old roadway that I remembered from previous trips. The trail was well worn and easily followed as it made its way along the creek gaining ground for the close end of the lake.  I had forgotten about the constant work needed to get across rocks and roots as one ascended the steep section to the lake. It really is more of a workout than one expects. As we made our way up, we were constantly being passed by groups of young people in the late teens through mid-thirties. They just kept coming and in both directions. The number of dogs was also quite large, it seemed that every second group had a dog with them. Some so small that I am sure the hike was harmful to them, virtually none had owners with water for them and many lacked any for themselves.