- Thread starter
- #21
Thanks @Enigma . From what was a reasonably stable wildfire season 2 weeks ago, the heat's been turned up. Plans will be finalized at Cruiser Days.
Cruiser Days "After-party Multi-day Trip" Plan
- Thread starter bladedog
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
There is a bit of rain in the forecast - fingers crossed - yup not looking great out there
No fires up here though! Just sunshine and good vibes 14 new photos · May 1 – Jul 19 
- https://photos.app.goo.gl/JCzvT3dBGyKg4tgS6
- https://photos.app.goo.gl/JCzvT3dBGyKg4tgS6
- Thread starter
- #24
Maybe we come up your way? Always an option, but you're going to have to be our guide! 
of course!Maybe we come up your way? Always an option, but you're going to have to be our guide!
- Thread starter
- #26
It has certainly been a day of pondering and discussion about where to go.
The opportunities in the SW are becoming fewer with the wildfires.
Here's a list of No-Go at this time due to fire and road closures:
1. Originally planned route from Gang Ranch over Chinahead - fires/evac orders, road closures
2. Goldbridge - fires/evac orders
3. Hwy3 through Manning Park - fires, road closures
So, that leaves the question of where we can safely go...
1. Sunshine Coast & Powell River - probably least risk of fire activity; however, need to make ferry reservations from HSB to Langdale (there were late-Sat and Sun sailings available)
2. Hwy5 Coquihalla to ??? This presents a camping opportunity at Murray Lake or nearby, which is a reasonable distance from our Cruiser Days event. Downside is the wildfire smoke.
a. Whipsaw starting from Princeton entry (S-N aka clockwise route) via any of the long-way-round routes, or go in via Britton Creek and run N-S.
b. Explore high country around Merritt, as far north as Hwy1 and south to Brookmere - many FSR and double track. Issue again is smoke.
c. My brother has suggested Placer Mtn and Apex Mtn area (Nickelplate Lake, etc.). Again this involves a circuitous route to get there (see a.)
c. Far away to the Valhalla area (south of Nakusp). Beautiful area to explore, big mountains, rugged, isolated. My issue here is that we have some of our group that needs to be back in Vancouver by end of day Tuesday (my two daughters, niece & her boyfriend, and nephew), so this will be a lot of hwy driving for them with not a whole lot of offroad value.
I believe that with the current tinder-dry forest conditions, we need to be wary of where we go.
I'm keen to hear feedback prior to Sat when we can make our final decision.
The opportunities in the SW are becoming fewer with the wildfires.
Here's a list of No-Go at this time due to fire and road closures:
1. Originally planned route from Gang Ranch over Chinahead - fires/evac orders, road closures
2. Goldbridge - fires/evac orders
3. Hwy3 through Manning Park - fires, road closures
So, that leaves the question of where we can safely go...
1. Sunshine Coast & Powell River - probably least risk of fire activity; however, need to make ferry reservations from HSB to Langdale (there were late-Sat and Sun sailings available)
2. Hwy5 Coquihalla to ??? This presents a camping opportunity at Murray Lake or nearby, which is a reasonable distance from our Cruiser Days event. Downside is the wildfire smoke.
a. Whipsaw starting from Princeton entry (S-N aka clockwise route) via any of the long-way-round routes, or go in via Britton Creek and run N-S.
b. Explore high country around Merritt, as far north as Hwy1 and south to Brookmere - many FSR and double track. Issue again is smoke.
c. My brother has suggested Placer Mtn and Apex Mtn area (Nickelplate Lake, etc.). Again this involves a circuitous route to get there (see a.)
c. Far away to the Valhalla area (south of Nakusp). Beautiful area to explore, big mountains, rugged, isolated. My issue here is that we have some of our group that needs to be back in Vancouver by end of day Tuesday (my two daughters, niece & her boyfriend, and nephew), so this will be a lot of hwy driving for them with not a whole lot of offroad value.
I believe that with the current tinder-dry forest conditions, we need to be wary of where we go.
I'm keen to hear feedback prior to Sat when we can make our final decision.
The Sunshine Coast and or Island could be fun and interesting, however as noted already the ferry could pose challenges if not reserved ahead of time meaning we would need to make decisions before Cruiser Days on Saturday, on a positive note it is supposed to cool down a bit and it has started to sprinkle in the Valley this am,
There is a very nice sort of secret wilderness camping spot up the Coq, across the overpass from the Britton Creek rest stop at the Coldwater River. Can access at from either the Falls Lake exit or Britton Creek, it's along the old "toll booth bypass" road. Havent been there in years. Sometimes it's busy with RV's and other times totally empty.
Well I’ll be on the road home from north island this weekend. Probably miss the show with visiting island family. Should be in the kootenays by Monday
So if anyone is headed that way and sticking around mid week I’d be up for showing a couple places I know and there are others I know of that I don’t want to put off. Province is planning to remove road access up Rady in August. There are also other interesting old mine roads trout lake area. And looping around to meadow creek/duncan. Also places kaslo to new denver. May still be snow patches but it’s been melting fast
OTOH being up island past week the cool sunny days and not stinking of forest fires is real nice so I see how Jeff’s idea is a good one for the group
So if anyone is headed that way and sticking around mid week I’d be up for showing a couple places I know and there are others I know of that I don’t want to put off. Province is planning to remove road access up Rady in August. There are also other interesting old mine roads trout lake area. And looping around to meadow creek/duncan. Also places kaslo to new denver. May still be snow patches but it’s been melting fast
OTOH being up island past week the cool sunny days and not stinking of forest fires is real nice so I see how Jeff’s idea is a good one for the group