GlennBJ74 has proposed that we organize a 7 - 10 day trip into the Chilcotins for next summer. The August 2008 club meeting liked the month of August 2009 as a likely time. We would be spending quite a bit of time in unknown areas in the bush, so that would be a consideration if children are taken. You would need lots of fuel, at least 2 Jerry cans or more. You can PM Glenn for more info. Some members are not in a position at this time to committ themselves a whole year ahead so we should keep this thread open and active and see what develops.
August doesn't work for me but maybe earlier in July. Is this something a lifted '55 could do or will it be a "damage likely" trip? I'm planning on taking the '55 up next year for something different.
No Damage trip, period! I was thinking of taking it from Gasbard Lake ie the ranch cabin and travel to Taseko lake via open fields, A slightly modified cruiser could do it no problem.
I grew up in the chilcotin , spent 20 years there, there are s*** loads of trails and things to see, if you guys do this trip you definatley need to go all the way down into bella coola , and the trip from hagensborg thru to tatlioka is awsome, there are lakes up there that you can limit out on in 5 minutes, literaly a fish on every cast .
The Chilcotin Plateau is a huge area, with thousands and thousands of miles of back roads. The best of it is off Hwy 20, which what most people see on their way to Bella Coola. If we go the back roads exploring I doubt we will have time for Bella Coola - there is way too much to see in a short 7-10 day trip. I would recommend that we be selective and consider hitting as many high lights as possible (time permitting). I have been to the Taseko, Chilco and Tatlayoko lake areas and know that area a bit. Other people may know other areas as well.
Spots to consider are Farwell Canyon (canyon, sand dunes), Junction Sheep Range (wildlife, Mtn sheep.), segments of the historic Mackenzie trail, Taseko Lake head waters (remote wilderness on the backside of the Coast Mtns), Chaunigan Lake, Nemiah Valley, Ts'yl-Os Park, Chilco Lake (highest and largest lake in Canada), Tatlayoko Lake and those spots are south of Hwy 20 only as far as Tatla Lake on Hwy 20 (1/2 way to Bella Coola from Williams lake. have not explored north of Hwy 20 - others may want to chime in on those areas.
In general its a lot easy gravel (Chilcotin is open terrain - reminds me of Wyoming), but its higher elevation, remote ands servives off Hwy 20 likely expensive. I would recommend extra fuel.
I grew up in Chilanko Forks half way between williams lake and anahim lake , when i was growning up the road was all gravel now its all black top, the remanats of a world war 2 american air base and training grounds, i still remember the tanks that rolled thru to fill up at my fathers service station when i was a kid.
I'm looking forward to this trip!I'm not to sure if I'll be able to swing the 7-10 days.Even a portion of the trip would be great.I lived up in Willy's Puddle for around 5 years and have ventured into the out back for 100's of miles around.The senery is spectacular,the lakes are plentiful,and the wild life is abundent.Oh the stories I could tell.Some of the best years of my life.
July is a completely doable from my end. If July is selected as a tentative date ... then Cruiser Days in August? Maybe this is an agenda item next meeting there Bill.
July is a completely doable from my end. If July is selected as a tentative date ... then Cruiser Days in August? Maybe this is an agenda item next meeting there Bill.
well if I am working then and cant get the time off, I will quit , finally something a little more exciting than "gravel travel" I am looking forward to this.
