July Long Weekend '08 - Roche Lake

[prado t]

When we get lost that is the only wheeling we do, I think a member from Kamloops mentioned checking out fuel mileage on gravel roads has become the norm. LOL I am at 778 840 8879 if anyone wants to call for a Friday departure we are flexible.

[ElectricDyck]

I've got too much goin on.Hope you guys have a good time and take a bunch of pictures.

[Scalp]

Glenn:
I tried to send you a PM but your mailbox is full. YOu will have to delete some messages and I will try again tomorrow.
~Bill

[Glenn-BJ74]

Bill

PM box clear now.

Glenn

[Granite Grinder]

Do we have a meeting place for the Friday night/ Saturday?
GG

[crawlin cruiser]

Im going there tomorrow. Ill do some trail scouting. I think I still have some yellow tape for marking

[prado t]

Are we going to camp at the lake? where? which side? we are leaving Friday morning.
ps we have never been there before, we would like to find camp before we get lost

[Fantom]

I can send someone who is going full GPS tracks and waypoints of that area, I have it on Garmin so anyone who has it I can e-mail direct. Just send me a PM with your e-mail.

[Scalp]

At the last meeting I thought it said that you go past Roche Lake campsite, past Black Lake campsite and on to Ernest Lake and find somewhere to camp there. I guess just scout around the lake and find a good spot and we will find you Saturday afternoon.
~Bill

[prado t]

Ok 10- 4

[crawlin cruiser]

so do you want me to do some marking or am I just being ignored?

[prado t]

Hi Dan , that would be great, Thanks I never Ignore the traits of a great wheeler.

[Enigma]

I'm thinking of joining up with you kids, for a change. Wife has to work but I might be able to get out Saturday morning and bring the oldest one with me.
I think Mat said he was leaving Sat. morning..anyone else?

Has there been an actual destination picked out? I dont really care where we go, I just want to get out! But it would kind of nice to be able to tell someone where I'm going to plan to be.

I've got Monday off, I could go into work Tuesday (yah right).

[Fantom]

I will have to specify, for those that want the GPS waypoints and Tracks for Garmin software, send me your e-mail address, I can't attach files to PMs.

[Enigma]

I am GPS-less, but I do have backroads map books! Any idea what time your leaving Saturday Mat?

[Fantom]

I would still like to go and explore other areas so I am not too keep on heading to Roche again, if someone is interested I have picked a different path:
Disclaimer: since the trail is unexplored the following could occur - U-turns, dust, rain, snow, tree cutting, shoveling, winching, pulling, beer drinking, good food, sun, swimming, relaxing, having fun, off-roading, mud, rocks, gravel, being temporarily lost, finding our way again, and exploring new places.

Head to Princeton, Princeton-Summerland road to Bankeir, then off-road up to 1 of 4 lakes depending on the time of day, either Whitehead, Eastmere, Crescent or Headwater lakes. Sunday leave and head North using smaller trails through 97C over to the Pennask Lake area, there are a couple smaller lakes there to check out. Monday, either keep heading North towards Douglas Lake area (which is Ok but there is a large Indian reservation there and less lakes) or head East ( more likely) to a couple lakes like Dobbin, or Islaht or North of that to the Chapperon Shorts Regional Park area. Then on Tuesday we are a stone’s throw away from Westbank or go up to Whiteman creek fsr and cut across Douglas Lake and onto the 5A.

Ideally 3-5 trucks would be good, so far we have Marcin, maybe Sopel (if the wife lets him) and myself.

[Enigma]

Well as much as I like you guys, I dont trust myself out in the wilderness with you all since I unearthed that plot scheme. That and Brianna (and myself) will want a little more lounge time while she plays with the other kids.
Another time Highlander!

[Scalp]

Radio Frequencies for Coastal Cruisers June 29-July 2 Trip to Roche Lake.

- CB radio use Channel 4 for trail chatter.
- VHF: 146.40 MHz for trail chatter if problems with CB.
- Merritt ambulance 149.68 MHz and repeater 142.6050 MHz.
- Merritt Emergency 149.4950 MHz
- Logan Lake ambulance 149.26 MHz and 149.6800 MHz.
- RCMP Highway Patrol 139.5600 MHz (Do not call unless emergency)

[Scalp]

Route to Roche Lake:

-Take Coquihalla to Merritt. Take highway 5A up Nicola Lake and beyond past Stump Lake, Napier L, Richie L, and just past Trapp Lake, turn right on the Roche Lake road. Follow road past Roche L and Black Lake, and eventually find us somewhere at Ernest Lake.

[Enigma]

Is there still snow on the Coquihalla bypass?

[Granite Grinder]

I was passing through there on the 14th, the snow pack was way down. I'll bet the by-pass is open by now. I'm sure John will know.
GG

[Enigma]

So is anyone heading out, Roche way, on Saturday?

Looks like I'll have room for a passenger or 2 if anyones interested. But if you sit in the back, be prepared to watch lots of Treehouse cartoons on the DVD player

[Scalp]

Gary T and I are leaving Coquitlam at around 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. I expect Glenn from Victoria will be with us. We were supposed to meet at Tetu's house at 8:00 although I haven't talked to him yet this week. If Steve decides not to go, we will just leave from Gary's and head East on the freeway and fuel up on Lickman Road before Chilliwack.
Jeff, if you call Millson, he might be interested in joining you as a passenger. I'm not sure.
~Bill

[Enigma]

I shall give the Red Reefer a jingle on the 'morrow.

[prado t]

We are still leaving Friday, for Roche Lake, I guess we will plow through to Ernest Lake, we will find a place where 5-7 vehicles can set-up. We will find a nice spot.

ps Matt that sounds like an awesome trip. Would love to do that ,but when we get back on Tuesday , Carolyn and I will clean, re-pack 74 and Head back out on Thursday. We are going to drop off Skylar at his Grandpappys in Grand Prarie and then Carolyn and I are wheeling for 2 weeks straight to Queen Charlottes and then Alaska Highway, lots of winching and getting into shape and having fun, I am glad I have an awesome Cruiser Chick. Roche will be like a vacation compared to our trip after that

[crawlin cruiser]

trail from black lk to Earnest Lk is marked. I used a yellow marking ribbon. I also marked out a good 4hr loop trail run for sunday for those who are interested. It will start at Earest Lk go to BullmanLk, Friskin LK, John Frank lk and then back to earest. Its a good trail, Marie and I did it today. Hill climbs,mud, rocks, trees. Nothing too rediculous though.Just to let you know people are already setting up camp at Black and Roche Lk for the long weekend. could be hard to get a spot

[Enigma]

Good thing I have a spot..in the back of my wagon...yeehaw!