Vancouver 80s run in early November?

[semlin]

ok this is arising out of this thread
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=116405

there seems to be an appetite for an 80s run out of Vancouver with some of our southern friends,

how does November 4th weekend sound?

let's get a show of hands on a crucial issue given the distances involved for our southern friends: day trip or overnight?

any thoughts on possible trips? here are some ideas in order of length. All routes are through routes so no scenery repeats unless otherwise noted

-east harrison to clear creek hot springs (retrace your steps)
-inch creek/chehalis lake/west harrison loop
-west harrison to sloquet hot springs (retrace steps)
-west harrison to skookumchuk hot springs (retrace steps)
-east harrison to boston bar
-west harrison through to whistler/lillooet
-whistler/ hurley pass / pioneer mines / lillooet or back the same way (some retracing)
-whistler / hurley pass/ mud lakes / china creek / lillooet

all but the first two would be a very long one day trip from bellingham. the last two are a definite two day trip.

all of these are low difficulty trails unless you look for trouble. there are obstacles here and there and a million side trails.

 

[Enigma]

Providing I can get a roof on by then, I'll be there with half an 80. No 2 day trips for me tho.

 

[kim]

Sounds interesting, I think I can fit this in.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

that date works great for me. ill be there with the girl friend. also a multi day thing would be just up my alley, so if even if no one else wants to ill prolly be camping up there anyways. as far as the trail is concerend as long as its not way way far from me (i.e. with in 21/2 hours or so) im down. Not sure what kinda wheeling your all into but im up for most anything as long as i dont bash my rockers (no sliders yet)

ill check back

mike

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I think the 4th should work for me as well, and no sliders here either and would like to keep things straight until I do I may camp somewhere up there overnight and head back in the morning or something.

 

[semlin]

ok, well if you guys want to camp but some want to be able to day trip my suggestion is we make sloquet the end destination. that's enough for people to take off and get home but a nice spot

Sloquet is a hot spring at the other end of Harrison Lake.

i suggest inch/norrish creek/chehalis and then cut over to west harrison FSR about half way. unless the campsite is yahooed out, it's a good camping spot with hot spring pools and if it is yahooed out we can camp at the head of the lake. the next day the overnight campers would have the option of continuing north through skookumchuk village to the highway linkup and home on the highway via whistler or lilooet or heading back on the west harrison FSR.

as far as distance goes, the inch creek trail head is about 1 hr 7 mins from bellingham according to mapquest (use "Dewdney, BC" as your destination). We could meet you where you cross highway 1 at abbotsford after crossing the border at sumas.

once you get on the trail I'd say 5 hours or so to sloquet. the first part is pretty straightforward logging road with only obstacles being ditches for removed culverts. there is a famous side trail called canopener that enigma can show you guys how to run if you are game . once you get to chehalis lake, the road through to harrison might have some obstacles. harrison forestry road is a well maintained gravel logging road and pretty easy except the last 15 km before the hot springs where you might need 4wd.

on the way out sloquet back to the highway via harrison fsr is 3 hours I think.

I'll try to get some map links and post them.

 

[BC_FJC]

The road into the hot springs has been redone and the camp ground is now managed. I don't know when they stop maintaining the site for the winter but if they are still there is a $10 a night user fee. You can no longer drive down to the hot springs the road has been blocked. The only spot that 4 wheel drive is nice is as you are approaching the logging camp at the tip of the lake, there is lots of loose rock on the hills.

Starting to look like I will not make it up there this year as my parents are flying into town on there return flight from China that weekend. Have fun and enjoy... don't forget your towel...

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I am wondering about fuel as I dont have the ability to carry extra fuel unless I put a plastic container inside the truck. Would my OEM tank be enough to get me from one end to the other?

The route sounds great as I'm not 100% sure if I will be able to camp or not, but having the option is great.

 

[semlin]

drew thanks for the heads up on changes at sloquet. sounds like it is a bit more civilized than it was but at least it will be tidier.

fuel should not be an issue so long as we gas up before we go in. for those leaving early, there will be a couple of bail out points on the route with easy straight out drives.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Well im up for what ever anyone wants to do. I still plan on camping and if its $10 that not an issue, hell in Co this summer they were trying ot charge $50 a night. i wasnt happy about that. As fo the "trails" it sounds like there more of roads now? are there any place where we might find something a little heavier then roads? either or im still up for the run and ill continue to check mack here.

thanks
mike

 

[semlin]

Mike we call them logging roads but they are basically trails except for sections being used currently and maintained. No pavement anywhere. inch creek/norrish creek FSR is deactivated and sees little maintenance. around chehalis it will be graded but rough. further on it could be hairy then harrison FSR is fairly well maintained except last 20km or so which is exposed shale and bedrock in many places...

 

[BC_FJC]

The inch/norrish creek/chehalis and then cut over to west harrison FSR can be fun depending on your route. After that there are lots of small side trails. I found one a year or two ago around doctor bay that went down to an old cabin that got the blood flowing.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Cool, this will be my first Cruiser "run", really looking forward to it. Camping over does give me a good reason to stock the fridge with beer and good food, so I will most likely go that route.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

if i can get my stove working your more then welcome to cook on it. ill let you know when the time nears.

mike

 

[Riley]

Thanks for the heads Simon up, I wanna say I'm in but I'll will need to check with the family. I'd llkely only be in for the 1 day.

I'd really be game to find some optional wheeling sections/diversions such as the can-opener & others.

I had hoped to learn a new route but hey.... this will be fun to see some other 80's guys.

Thanks again Simon for organizing.

 

[semlin]

riley, i'm kinda the same about inch creek again. i'm game to try harrison -- boston bar. i'm just not sure about the distance for a single day.

 

[Riley]

Agreed the Harrison - bostan bar sounds interesting but a very long way for 1 day.

I wonder if the bass-pass on can opener is still ok. That lower part is way too crazy and needs to be by-passed but the upper section (with a turn around) is fun.

 

[CanadianRig]

It looks like I am going to be around this weekend, so I'd like to come along. I'm assuming that a stock (with lockers) 80 can go wherever we are heading without damage????

will there be a meeting time and place announced here?

thanks...

 

[lx450landcruiser]

Thats a good call we should find a plce to meet up and then head off as im really not familier with the area. also a time would be good ;.)

 

[semlin]

given there are differing experience levels and this is an introductory run lets keep this very simple. we will not go anywhere a stock 80 can't go. There will be some optional bypasses but they will be just that, optional.

I suggest a Saturday 8:30 am start at the meeting place.

before i suggest a meeting place, let's get a quick final decision on the current route or the harrison -- boston bar route. the boston bar route will be more interesting and wilder more remote country but it will also be a very long day drive for those who want to do it in one day and don't expect to be home before 9 or 10 pm. I'd sooner do that one if folks are willing but I don't want to push or exclude any individual so if anyone wants to stick with the current route that is just fine. Driving conditions on both routes will be comparable. distance from bellingham to harrison east trail head is 1 hr 35 minutes.

as far as equipment to bring, everyone should have an FRS handheld radio as it sounds like not many have CBs. (If you have two pipe up).

I strongly recommend a map. good options are the bc backroads map book southwest BC edition or the Chilliwack and Lilloet Ministry of Forest District road maps or 1:50000 topo maps. The backroads map book is the bible for backroads driving in BC and a good idea if you plan to leave the group to get out although the route out will be pretty straightforward. There are better quality maps but nothing more comprehensive as a baseline. If the us guys like I can grab a copy for you here in town. They are about C$30. here is the website http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/index-bm.php?bookId=bc1&region=bc

I don't anticipate needing the following but I will bring and you should also bring:
-- shovel
-- hi lift/ jackall
-- first aid kit
-- rain gear
-- food and water
-- change of clothes and shoes plus towel even if you are day tripping
-- blanket/sleeping bag even if you are day tripping
-- snatch strap (not a tow strap) (Also, if anyone has a tree saver, that would be nice. I have lost mine.)
--tools
--spare parts
--flashlight with extra batteries
--quart of oil, container of brake fluid, ATF and coolant if you have them.