The week earlier was our original date for hiking the mountain but it ended up being a wet morning and being the fair weather hikers that we are, we stayed home (in bed?). So along came the next week-end and it looked to be a lovely day though there was a chance of some light rain up the valley. Ralph came by at the regular time and we were off to the start of the logging road. We planned to double dip on this trip and once done with the hike we were going to do some scouting for our field day location as we backtracked along the forestry road. The initial drive went smoothly and we made better time this week as the traffic seemed a bit lighter.  On the road I remembered looking up at some of the mountains we were passing and commented on what appeared to be a whiteness near the top which I thought was odd at the time.

The drive along the forestry road was quite fast, we encountered only a single atv and motorcycle heading up just ahead of us, otherwise the drive was solitary – so nice. We soon arrived at our parking spot and where we would delve into the trees for the summit. By now there was a bit of freezing rain falling leaving us covered in a bit of white stuff, but it was light and we felt we could ignore it as it would likely end soon. Once into the trees I started following my old gps track and tying some markers to trees as I passed. By now the snow was coming faster and the ground was turning white even here hidden in the trees.  We pushed on but the ground was covered and picking steps on the thick mossy floor was getting a bit challenging. Soon the whole slope was white with little visibility and we were both getting cold from the snow which was piling upon us as much as on the ground. So after having completed about a third of the distance we decided to abort and head back to the truck. It was now harder to find ones way but my marked trees did help a bit.

Back at the truck we noticed that everything was buried in snow/hail an inch deep! The area had transformed from a spring day to a winter one in a few minutes. We quickly got in to the truck and got the heater going to warm up. We missed the activation but next on the agenda was scouting for a field day location. From Google Earth I had picked a spot further along the ridge, so we set out for that location to see if it was as nice as it appeared. Along the road we came by a fallen tree which was blocking the way forward. I felt we could pull it, so I attached a chain and tried pulling the lower end but it was hung up and didn’t move. So I decided to try to pull off the high end but this needed to go the opposite direction so the snatch block and winch would be required. This attempt worked well and we soon had the log off the road.

Tount Woodside is one of the few summits where one can drive to the top and be in the operating zone for Summits on the Air.I have driven to the top several times and was looking forward to a return visit. The official SOTA peak location is vastly different from where Google Earth shows as the summit, so it was a goal for today’s trip to explore the summit and confirm the true location. I had hoped to head out a week earlier but the weather got in the way and I stayed home and did some yard work. Today the weather was sunny and pleasant, so off we went.

Ralph arrived at the house by 9:30 and we quickly loaded the truck and set off for a coffee, fuel and the start of the logging road. The truck needed a good run as it has been idle most of the year so far, it was up to the task and we made good time to Woodside. At the start of the logging road I switched the truck into 4x4 mode and we started up the rough road. I was concerned that we could be stopped short of the summit due to snow which may block our way up. The ski hill webcams were still showing snow at the 950m level which is where we would be. So as we drove up the road gaining elevation I was ever the more anxious as to what would be around the next turn, seeing numerous flows of water didn’t ease my anxiety any.

When we came to the final fork we still had seen no snow and I was now feeling much better, shortly into the last road segment we met a hiker coming down from the summit, that in itself was odd but we just continued up. The one advantage of doing the drive in April is the lack of leaves on the alder. The road was getting encased with the alder trees and being bare at this time made it a bit more open and easier to pick ones way along the road. Even so, we still managed to hit one tree hard enough it bent one of my antennas.

As we continued along the final road we did finally find some snow. There was a small patch of packed snow on the road but it only covered about a quarter of the road width and was easy to pass by. A second smaller patch was soon encountered and then we popped out from the alder tree tunnel and we were at the old abandoned radio site. We parked the truck and decided we would search for the true summit before operating, so we set off to the south with our gps’s in hand to locate the Google Earth summit location. We had around 250m to where the indicated spot was and that was through a forested area. Fortunately, only a short initial section had close packed trees, for most of the way it was open forest which made travel fairly easy.

Hiking McKee Peak is not overly difficult. Many do it for exercise on a regular basis. I come here once a year to activate the summit with my radio. In the winter season only the few low summits can be hiked if one insists on avoiding deep snow, so it is a nice break when a sunny day comes along and one can get out and explore those smaller summits.

Our adventure began with Ralph arriving at my place a bit before 9:30am. We loaded up my wife’s electric car and we were off for the nearest Starbucks. As the car is electric, we were able to skip the filling of the vehicle so our next stop was on the slope of the mountain. For this trip we tried another spot to start the hike. The west side of the mountain has housing subdivisions slowly migrating up slope and we were able to park at the end of the highest one. Starting a bit higher up meant we were starting where the cyclists park and enter the many bike trails that are all over the peak.

It was worth the bother to find this location as we shaved off a good bit of trail. Rather than start the hike following an old road, we were immediately on a major bike path. It was a bit rougher and steeper in places than the road but still quite an easy walk. There were only a few cyclists on the trail with us so we had it pretty much to ourselves. We made good time to the main road and then continued up it to the summit. Part way along we came by a chap opening a gate that was across the road. We stopped to chat with him a bit and learned that he was the farmer who owns the fields through which some of the trail passes. He shared some of his frustration with trying to operate a farm where there is a large public interest in access. After commiserating with him for a few minutes we continued up the road and into the open fields. Here we took a brief rest and I gathered a few photos of the western view.

The weather since our earlier hike has been warmer and we had several good days for snow to melt. The white stuff around the yard was mostly gone, so I was hopeful the trail on Farrer would be easier to navigate. This trip I packed some grips and some heavier crampons just in case. Unfortunately Ralph was unable to join me for this hike so I was on my own for the adventure.

As before, I set out at 9:30 and made for Starbucks and then the highway. It was a lovely day, better than the previous time and I was looking forward to a pleasant hike in the trees and sun.  As I got into the town of Anmore I started to see larger patches of snow and at the park it was still piled up fairly deep along the edge of the road. Things really didn’t look much different. I found a parking spot near my previous one and there I got my gear on and some grips for my boots. I then made for the trail and the sign warning of icy conditions.

The lower trail was still covered in snow but with the grips I made fast time as there was no worry about slipping. I soon was at the bridge where I noticed that the ice on the lake was showing patches of open water where previously it was solid. Over the bridge and onto the Diez Vistas Trail, it was still covered in patchy snow and some ice on the initial climb but once past that short section the trail was much clearer of snow than last time. I made quick time along the trail into the upper area where I encountered some snow once again. Soon I was at the powerline gap. It having taken me only 50 minutes to get here compared to well over an hour last time.

The next section of steeper trail was also clear of snow and it allowed me to continue at a fast pace up the slope and before overly long I was at the spot that turned us back last time. Today there was only bare trail in the area! So nice, as I could continue up without worry. I did start to encounter some small patches of ice on the trail but it was easy to navigate and soon I was to the first view point. This is really not one of the 10 views but it is still a great sight out towards Indian Arm and Vancouver. I took a few minutes to rest and chat with a few others who were enjoying the view.

Well, enough of the view it was time to find the summit and set up for some radio work. I started up the steep section of trail above the viewpoint and soon encountered hard packed snow on the trail, this continued for the rest of my time along the upper ridge. The grips definitely helped along this section. I quickly reached the top ridge line and the location SOTA marks as the summit. I wanted to locate the point that Google Earth marks as the summit so I continued along the trail towards that spot. As I approached the location I noticed that it was actually in a dip but to my left was a higher mound so to it I made my way.

It was 4 years ago during the first week of March, just like today, that I last visited the summit. On that day the weather was mild and even a bit warm, the ground was dry and we had a great time hiking and operating from the summit. So it was with that expectation that I got my car ready for the drive and my gear organized for the hike. We left home at 9:30 and made quick time to the park entrance. It was there that we got our first indication of potential trouble.

Upon arriving at the park we noticed that snow was still covering the area and was several inches deep. The overflow parking area which is closer to the trail head was closed off due to snow and we had to drive to the main lot. There we saw lots of people milling around and getting ready for their walk through the trails. I noticed that many had spikes on their boots! An ominous sign.  We got ready and started for the trail, the next sign warned us of icy conditions and to be careful. The main trail was snow covered and well packed so it seemed like travel would be ok for our hike.

We soon crossed the lake on the floating bridge and then started up the Diez Vistas trail. It was covered with packed snow and in places it was well iced over. It made walking a challenge as one needed to place their feet very carefully. A chap on the way down said he had been to the first summit but indicated that he had needed his spikes. So that was not encouraging news. Not much further in, Ralph slipped on some ice and had a small tumble but we carried on as the trail had many clear patches as well.  We were making decent time up and before long came by a chap cutting through a large tree that was across the trail. He was using an axe which seemed less than ideal but he was making good time with it and felt that packing gas and all was more work.

I have lived near the park for over 35 years and when the kids were younger we would visit it on a regular basis. But even then we stayed on the upper trails and in the grassy play area. The park is known for its imported selection of trees many of come from distant places and are not local to the region. Also, the park boasts a large treehouse that when the kids were young one could climb up to and sit in. Today the treehouse is locked up. Later we did cycling through some of the trails but never did I venture into the more southern section and the lower trails.

Today Nick wanted to take advantage of the long week-end and go hiking through something nearby. It was still quite cold out with snow on the ground so we didn’t want to be out long and thought that the park would be a nice walk after a quick lunch. So we packed up a few items and left for the White Spot Restaurant. Though it was only 11:30 there was already a long waiting line so we decided to do our walk and return after the crowds. We made quick time to the park only to find the main road in gated off! People were parked along the road near the trail entrance where we previously cycled in. So we found a spot to park and made our way to the trail.

The trail was snow covered but it was well trodden and easy to walk. We encountered numerous groups meandering along the trail taking photos like us of various items, others were jogging along followed closely by their dogs. We found a number of items of interest to shoot as we made our way south to the main area and the treehouse. We followed a main trail but it missed the treehouse to open up on a secondary field area. It had interesting sights and trees so we followed along the footsteps in this area gathering images as we made our way to the western edge of the park. The trail turned back across the far edge of the clearing and entered the trees once again as it descended towards the south. We were onto trails I had never travelled before and it was interesting to see this area of the park. The trails were less travelled but still packed enough to show use.

Though a cool overcast day, it was dry and fairly pleasant to be wandering around in the forest for a few hours. Ralph and I planned to tackle this small summit and cover off both a Summits-on-the-air activation and participate in the Winter Field Day radio event. We picked this site as it has a road to the top which would allow us to bring some heavier radio gear.  The higher power isn’t needed for SOTA but it would be useful for the field day event.

The day started off fine with us meeting at 9am and starting our short drive to Maple Ridge and the road to the summit. We made good time and were soon starting up the road. As we came up to the last houses along the road we spotted that dreaded obstacle, a locked gate across the road! That was unexpected and extremely annoying but there was little we could do. So our plans changed and we were bringing only the lighter stuff.

The gate blocked the road at the point it becomes gravel and steep. The way forward may only be about 900m but it had some steep parts for interest. We loaded up the dolly I had brought but unfortunately we had to leave the big battery and the high power radio gear. So we would be operating much like on any of our longer SOTA hikes. Pulling the dolly up the slope was still a bit of work but we got it up in short order with a few rest breaks. Once at the top of the road and next to the Telus repeaters, we spotted a nice wide well-groomed trail to the west which was the direction of the summit as indicated on Google Earth. We only had a short distance in to go to find the high point and a nice spot to set up in.

The day began with a light short snowfall and so I wasn’t expecting to get out as planned. But as the morning progressed the day got brighter and one even saw some sun. So I roused my son Nick from his room and we set off for our adventure. I had wanted to cook a lunch on the rocks at Lighthouse Park but it was already too late to head out that far so we opted to try something local. Mud Bay Park was one I hadn’t visited in years and Nick had never been there. So that became our destination.

We quickly got some light lunch items prepared and then set off for the park. I remember driving Colebrook road and turning off of it into the park area so it was to that road I drove. Upon reaching Colebrook I exited from King George and started west on Colebrook. It went for quite a ways and then turned left the old road across the tracks was blocked and no longer drivable, continuing south soon ended in a locked gate and private farm. That was annoying so we headed back wondering how to get to the park entrance. As we drove east back to King George I noticed a car also driving east but on the north side of the tracks! Well there was a ‘new’ road there and It continued along the tracks to King George. When we got back there we found the road had a nice crossing over the tracks and the road west was fairly new and allowed us to travel past the spot that was blocked before and we were now able to reach the park entrance.