This was, again, an awesome trip Although we don't have that many pics and usually during the more difficult situations we were too occupied with getting the trucks through the trail then grabbing our cameras, we do have a bunch of video which will be loaded on the site soon along with the pics.
That said, without further delay:
Members present:
Robert, Sopel, Marcin and Ania, Pawel, and myself (Mat).
Guests present:
Michal and Gosia (from Ontario, passengers with Sopel), Jacek (Jack) and Beata in their really well done Dodge 4X4 with a camper on the back (also known as the liquor and supply store on wheels).
Friday Morning at 7am Robert and I met in Port Coquitlam and headed for Hope. Sopel already left stupidly early to grab his passengers from Kamloops. In Hope we met up with Marcin and Ania and Pawel. Due to lack of better judgment (and partly because I have the slowest truck) I was assigned trail leader for this trip.
We hit the road, filled up with too expensive fuel in Merritt and some last second "civilization". We arrived at the Roche Lake resort at 12pm and met up with Sopel, Gosia and Michal.
This is where the fun starts.
We headed for Ernest Lake across the south trail, through the power lines, we were the first on this trail this season so our trusty chainsaws helped in clearing a path through the fallen trees. Some nice off-camber angles mud, rocks and the now famous submerged trail proved to not be a disappointment.
We arrived at Ernest and found some campers in "our spot" so we kindly set up far enough away to not be too much of an annoyance. They were friendly. Jacek and Beata arrived later in the evening and managed to get the Dodge to the site (to my own surprise) through the North-West trail which has it's share of mud and small challenges.
We relaxed for the rest of the evening dining on fire grilled prawns, kebabs, a bit of steak, some grilled veggies, and lots of other food I can't even remember. The evening concluded with a decent quantity of beer, Sopel's Vodka (Vodka with cherry syrup and a drop or two of Tabasco - good!), and of course good conversation.
Saturday morning we had a large and good breakfast with fresh ground coffee and decided to leave the Dodge and some of our gear at camp and head out to explore. The trail went out of Ernest, North, to North-West through the power lines, up to Scuitto Lake, then West and South past Talmage and Hosli Lakes, then across the North side of Bleeker Lake and back East to Ernest. 31Km long, over 11sqKm, 4.5 hrs and an average speed of 7Kph.
The trail from Ernest to Scuitto started with the usual mud, then to a nice forestry tight trail, with rocky descents, onto a mid size FSR back to small forestry trails all filled with holes, off-camber, mud, rocks and fallen trees. At Scuitto we found a small unmarked detour that provided us with a great new campsite with excellent water access, lots of space and even flat spots. We decided to come back this evening and claim it ours. From Scuitto all the way to Bleeker the trial got nasty, with holes full of mud and muddy water that went half way up the doors, and some technically challenging routes. I almost managed to lay my truck on it's side in one of the pits and was rescued by Sopel. Lucky for me it was at the start of the pit as we discovered later on (with the scientific poking the stick in the water technique) that it was about 5 feet deep water with soft mud on the bottom. We found a slightly less expensive alternative. On the South end of Hosli we found a very deep mud crossing (luckily somewhat dry) with a couple of "locals" with domestic trucks that were very surprised that we got through it and made it look easy.
Once at Bleeker we sent Pawel back to Scuitto to reserve our spot and we headed to Ernest to collect our gear...and the Dodge (for which we found a nicer trail to our new home).
That evening we savored in the moment of our daily victories, complemented with a buffet of fine food prepared by Robert with help from Ania, more beer, more Vodka, dessert, and beautiful views of the full moon. The evening proved to be windy but at least it kept the mosquitoes away.
Sunday morning we made a huge breakfast with eggs, Polish sausage, veggies, toast and fresh ground coffee. Robert, Pawel, Jacek and Beata decided to spend the day at camp, fish and relax while Marcin and Ania, Sopel, Gosia and Michal, and myself went exploring again.
The trail picked was heading mostly South, from Scuitto, to the power lines, following them past the East side of Roche lake, then off to South East towards Hugh and Ross lakes, quickly turning North-East before Beaverhouse Lake, towards Blackwell, then North onto George FSR and back West to Ernest, then back North to Scuitto. We dropped Gosia and Michal off at their car at Roche Lake resort because they had to head back.
60Km long, 58 sqKm, over 5 hours, with an average 12kph speed with about 80Kph on the main FSR
, reaching altitudes from 1000m to 1450m.
Once under the power lines the trail was a bit dusty but nice with great scenery, then a bit of a larger FSR until we got to the area of between Beaverhouse and Blackwell which was a small forest trail with marsh crossings, rocks, tight squeezes, and a nice "puddle". We were unable to gain access to Blackwell (which was kind of the idea of this trip) so as opposed to backtracking all that way we decided to keep going in hopes of finding a way back. We ran into a somewhat local on an ATV that told us we could get back but the road was blocked by rocks and he did not think we could pass, amateur. We successfully went around, hit George FSR (which is a highway) and went in search of a trail back to Ernest. After a bit of issues in finding it we finally came across an ATV trail that fit the profile. Fairly tight at times, with steep descents and climbs, deep holes filled with overflowing creeks and marshes, rock climbs and all the good stuff. We finally popped out on the East side of Ernest and surprised a group of ATV riders who were confused how the trucks managed to get through an ATV trail - more amateurs.
We came back to camp to find that no fish were caught and Robert suffered an injury to his eye from some flying particles on the lake. Some Visine, an old home remedy, a great bandaging job by Beata and a nap and he was back to "normal".
The remainder of the evening was spent gloating about the trip, making way too much food consisting of lamb, steaks, veggies, some pasta salad, and I can't even remember what else. Sopel successfully managed to catch the only fish of the entire trip, about 24" long, which I am sure he is enjoying while I write this. The evening was interrupted by a not so pleasant visit by a group of 3 trucks with very drunk people in them and to all our shock, kids. With total disregard for the environment around them, themselves and their trucks they thankfully left making howling noises and with any luck getting stuck far away from everyone. No wonder trails get closed.
Monday morning we were still full from last night so we had some coffee and packed up leaving Jacek and Beata at the lake to enjoy some more time off. We headed west from Scuitto, past Hosli, Talmage, and Bleeker on a new trail and enjoyed the last of our adventures. Then back to reality and Merritt. Fuel, Coffee and air and Marcin and Ania along with Sopel headed back home on Hwy 5 while Pawel, Robert and I headed on Hwy 8 to Spences Bridge through the canyon. Regrettably the vacation is over.
I am sure I have forgotten some details and that the others can fill it in. This was the perfect time of the year for this trip, no snow was found with the exception of the Sunday trip, and as always the group of friends combined with great trails proved to be an unforgettable experience.
Pics and video will be up soon.
Sorry about the "short" story.
That said, without further delay:
Members present:
Robert, Sopel, Marcin and Ania, Pawel, and myself (Mat).
Guests present:
Michal and Gosia (from Ontario, passengers with Sopel), Jacek (Jack) and Beata in their really well done Dodge 4X4 with a camper on the back (also known as the liquor and supply store on wheels).
Friday Morning at 7am Robert and I met in Port Coquitlam and headed for Hope. Sopel already left stupidly early to grab his passengers from Kamloops. In Hope we met up with Marcin and Ania and Pawel. Due to lack of better judgment (and partly because I have the slowest truck) I was assigned trail leader for this trip.
We hit the road, filled up with too expensive fuel in Merritt and some last second "civilization". We arrived at the Roche Lake resort at 12pm and met up with Sopel, Gosia and Michal.
This is where the fun starts.
We headed for Ernest Lake across the south trail, through the power lines, we were the first on this trail this season so our trusty chainsaws helped in clearing a path through the fallen trees. Some nice off-camber angles mud, rocks and the now famous submerged trail proved to not be a disappointment.
We arrived at Ernest and found some campers in "our spot" so we kindly set up far enough away to not be too much of an annoyance. They were friendly. Jacek and Beata arrived later in the evening and managed to get the Dodge to the site (to my own surprise) through the North-West trail which has it's share of mud and small challenges.
We relaxed for the rest of the evening dining on fire grilled prawns, kebabs, a bit of steak, some grilled veggies, and lots of other food I can't even remember. The evening concluded with a decent quantity of beer, Sopel's Vodka (Vodka with cherry syrup and a drop or two of Tabasco - good!), and of course good conversation.
Saturday morning we had a large and good breakfast with fresh ground coffee and decided to leave the Dodge and some of our gear at camp and head out to explore. The trail went out of Ernest, North, to North-West through the power lines, up to Scuitto Lake, then West and South past Talmage and Hosli Lakes, then across the North side of Bleeker Lake and back East to Ernest. 31Km long, over 11sqKm, 4.5 hrs and an average speed of 7Kph.
The trail from Ernest to Scuitto started with the usual mud, then to a nice forestry tight trail, with rocky descents, onto a mid size FSR back to small forestry trails all filled with holes, off-camber, mud, rocks and fallen trees. At Scuitto we found a small unmarked detour that provided us with a great new campsite with excellent water access, lots of space and even flat spots. We decided to come back this evening and claim it ours. From Scuitto all the way to Bleeker the trial got nasty, with holes full of mud and muddy water that went half way up the doors, and some technically challenging routes. I almost managed to lay my truck on it's side in one of the pits and was rescued by Sopel. Lucky for me it was at the start of the pit as we discovered later on (with the scientific poking the stick in the water technique) that it was about 5 feet deep water with soft mud on the bottom. We found a slightly less expensive alternative. On the South end of Hosli we found a very deep mud crossing (luckily somewhat dry) with a couple of "locals" with domestic trucks that were very surprised that we got through it and made it look easy.
Once at Bleeker we sent Pawel back to Scuitto to reserve our spot and we headed to Ernest to collect our gear...and the Dodge (for which we found a nicer trail to our new home).
That evening we savored in the moment of our daily victories, complemented with a buffet of fine food prepared by Robert with help from Ania, more beer, more Vodka, dessert, and beautiful views of the full moon. The evening proved to be windy but at least it kept the mosquitoes away.
Sunday morning we made a huge breakfast with eggs, Polish sausage, veggies, toast and fresh ground coffee. Robert, Pawel, Jacek and Beata decided to spend the day at camp, fish and relax while Marcin and Ania, Sopel, Gosia and Michal, and myself went exploring again.
The trail picked was heading mostly South, from Scuitto, to the power lines, following them past the East side of Roche lake, then off to South East towards Hugh and Ross lakes, quickly turning North-East before Beaverhouse Lake, towards Blackwell, then North onto George FSR and back West to Ernest, then back North to Scuitto. We dropped Gosia and Michal off at their car at Roche Lake resort because they had to head back.
60Km long, 58 sqKm, over 5 hours, with an average 12kph speed with about 80Kph on the main FSR
, reaching altitudes from 1000m to 1450m.Once under the power lines the trail was a bit dusty but nice with great scenery, then a bit of a larger FSR until we got to the area of between Beaverhouse and Blackwell which was a small forest trail with marsh crossings, rocks, tight squeezes, and a nice "puddle". We were unable to gain access to Blackwell (which was kind of the idea of this trip) so as opposed to backtracking all that way we decided to keep going in hopes of finding a way back. We ran into a somewhat local on an ATV that told us we could get back but the road was blocked by rocks and he did not think we could pass, amateur. We successfully went around, hit George FSR (which is a highway) and went in search of a trail back to Ernest. After a bit of issues in finding it we finally came across an ATV trail that fit the profile. Fairly tight at times, with steep descents and climbs, deep holes filled with overflowing creeks and marshes, rock climbs and all the good stuff. We finally popped out on the East side of Ernest and surprised a group of ATV riders who were confused how the trucks managed to get through an ATV trail - more amateurs.
We came back to camp to find that no fish were caught and Robert suffered an injury to his eye from some flying particles on the lake. Some Visine, an old home remedy, a great bandaging job by Beata and a nap and he was back to "normal".
The remainder of the evening was spent gloating about the trip, making way too much food consisting of lamb, steaks, veggies, some pasta salad, and I can't even remember what else. Sopel successfully managed to catch the only fish of the entire trip, about 24" long, which I am sure he is enjoying while I write this. The evening was interrupted by a not so pleasant visit by a group of 3 trucks with very drunk people in them and to all our shock, kids. With total disregard for the environment around them, themselves and their trucks they thankfully left making howling noises and with any luck getting stuck far away from everyone. No wonder trails get closed.
Monday morning we were still full from last night so we had some coffee and packed up leaving Jacek and Beata at the lake to enjoy some more time off. We headed west from Scuitto, past Hosli, Talmage, and Bleeker on a new trail and enjoyed the last of our adventures. Then back to reality and Merritt. Fuel, Coffee and air and Marcin and Ania along with Sopel headed back home on Hwy 5 while Pawel, Robert and I headed on Hwy 8 to Spences Bridge through the canyon. Regrettably the vacation is over.
I am sure I have forgotten some details and that the others can fill it in. This was the perfect time of the year for this trip, no snow was found with the exception of the Sunday trip, and as always the group of friends combined with great trails proved to be an unforgettable experience.
Pics and video will be up soon.
Sorry about the "short" story.
Pics? / Video ?
