It has been a number of years since I have been on many of these trails around Princeton. Every time I am up there I am always fixing things for my mom. so these are just ideas for you to investigate. A good source of up-to-date infomation is the Sports store in Princeton - just down the street from the Bus Depot.
To do the road from Oliver to Cawston, you need to drive to Oliver on 97. If the road is being upkept, then it is an easy drive in a 2 wheeler. If it hasn't been cared for, then it could be fun. In the area is also the road from the Ashanola over the top to Friday Creek (near Placer off of hwy 3). I haven't done this road but have heard that it is an interesting run. This time of year it could be challenging with the snow. It is not a place you want ot go without letting people know where you are with a time for when you will check in on getting back. Of course, a VHF is nice also. I don't think you will see any traffic over the top.
As for Elephant and Pike Mountain, they should both be on the maps. Both are access from hwy 5A. Elephant mountain is first accessed from the road to the east of the second bridge heading North. You then run the top of the mountain and can come out near Summit Lake. You can only stay on the gas line road until you hit Stringer Lake. From there it just goes strait down a grade that only a CAT laying line would go down. You can go down or up from Allison lake on the Stringer lake road which rises on a loose shale and gravel switch back road from the South end of Allison lake. It has a tendency to wash out and may or may not be passible. Just before Stringer the power line heads to the East a bit. Besides mud holes, there is only one obstacles - a short steep rock face. Just past Power Lakes to the righ hand side is a 15 minute hike in lake - Butler Lake. There use to be a plywood boat hidden in the bush. You really need a boat to fish it. A bit further North a road goes into the East to Secret (AKA Mystery) lake. From the tree line towards the lake you will find white clay. Any amount of wetness and you will soon be up to your axles. Usually you get just far enough in to be just out of reach of the trees. The Power Line Road meets up with a road coming up summit.
Google satellite map of "Princeton BC" is a decent resource. To the South it is a definition pic but to the North it is only good enough to pick out the main roads.
The GPS map on Sharhooks will give you an idea of some of the trails off of hwy 5a and Princeton:
http://www.sharphooks.com/search.aspx?subpage=hotelinfo&hotelid=8027. The roads look more or less correct but some of the names are wrong and or are missing. You best bet is a real forestry map. BTW, the run up to Rampart use to be a challenging trip. Now you can go all the way over to the Chain / Link lake valley. On Sharp hooks map you can see all the main Pike mountain roads. This mountain can be very confusing, as there are many more logging roads and skidder trails not mapped.
I could go on and on, but this post is already way too long. If you got Qs just ask. Wish I could go too.
John
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Mat looked like he was packed for a 6 month expedition. One of the old guys in town wandered up to our table to ask about those funny looking pipes running up along the front window. So, Mat was obliged to recount how well they worked for him in the water.
I suspect he will stay out of the water this time and be looking for some snow to try out his four brand new V bar chains on. Their trip report should be interesting.