So after we left on Sunday morning(ish) we head to explore new to us areas, Since we were having issues locating the trails we wanted in the Rocky Gulch area we ended up splitting into 2 groups, I was with Mike McT, Drew, Robert and Gary. Greg B. and Rob M. along with Glen went another direction and were more successful at getting to the North end of Nicola Lake and out to Hwy 5A. We ended up locating a bunch of dead ends and cut off roads and decided to give up and head for the Monck Park road and come out the South end. Along the way we found an awesome picture spot and posed the cruisers appropriately. Once we left Robert heard a weird noise so we stopped to investigate. The inner axle seal decided to blow (so we thought) and leave a mark on the trail. Without 4 wheel drive engaged we headed down the hill and met up with the main road, that's when we noticed the bigger problem. The upper knuckle mount was in the process of removing itself and the wheel sat on an angle. We raised the vehicle and begun the disassembly to asses the damages. Once apart we saw that 1 bolt on the upper mount was missing, the other three very loose and the bearing shredded, the inside of the housing along with the birf were gouged badly. I managed to get Greg and Rob on the CB - which was amazing since they were about 25Km away! at Plateau Lake. Even more amazing was the fact that Greg actually had a spare! Along with Glen, they rushed over to assist an injured cruiser. The repair was made in really good time, the truck was back on the road in a drivable condition. Greg, Rob, Glen, Mike and Robert headed home while Gary headed back to camp at Bob.
I want to take the time here to thank some people on my and Robert's behalf (since he has issues posting on the forum-some technical stuff). Greg B., Rob M., Drew E., and Mike McT., went out of their way on this trip to assist several people, myself included. Whether it was tools, parts, experience, advice, or even guiding us through the trees and rocks, these guys did an awesome job and I am very pleased to know these people and call them friends. Everyone who was there (this trip) helped each other on spotting and advice, or assistance - we really have a great club!
Now that that is over - after the repairs Drew and I headed to Plateau and arrived there just past 9pm. In the morning we were joined by Sopel and after a large breakfast hit the road towards the Roche Lake area. Heading through the hills past Palmer Meadows Lake (Ok lake but no camp site) we managed to get through into the Roche Lake Park and enjoy a coffee at the resort. Drew had to head home so we said our goodbyes and Sopel and I went exploring the area. This place is an off-roading amusement park, there is every type of trail here you might ever want: rock crawling, mud pits, river crossings, marsh fields, country roads, 24 deg. inclines, off-camber stuff, ruts, sandy trails, forgotten trails, and the list goes on. The lakes are great and in many cases not occupied by anyone, the fishing is plenty! We arrived at Ernest and decided to take something that was classified as a decommissioned trail, turned out that there was a stretch of it about 100' long that was covered by the lake/marsh and got a bit deep in some spots. After getting through that we went around the mountains and then back to camp. In the morning we head out to explore - since we got lazy we decided to eat breakfast at the resort (good food) and headed North to Hosli and Talmage Lake. More amazing trails and large puddles to cross and by the time we got to Hosli (which is very nice!) Sopel's e-brake was not working and there was an unpleasant grinding in the back. We ripped the drum off and found mostly mud and pebbles jamming everything. After cleaning it all up we were off, then I lost my rear brakes, both e-brake and regular. Since no noises were coming from the back and I had to head home we decided to take it easy on the Highway and head back. Just after Quilchena there was an accident on the highway with a logging truck and trees everywhere. We were told about 4-5hrs wait or head to Kamloops and then to Merritt which would be about 2 hours+. So after consulting the maps and GPS and talking to the locals (who told us we can't get to Hwy 97C) we went anyways on the only dirt road leading away from Quilchena. Got to Hamilton Creek IR and headed West to Lundbom Lake through the Douglas ranch property. With amazing views of the valleys we finally arrived at the highway (on the road that did not exist or was accessible in accordance to the locals) and hit Merritt for fuel, food, air and coffee. I drove home with no rear brakes and arrived safely, after we took the toll bypass of course.
So now the cruiser sits and waits for me to have some time to tear apart the rear end and fix the issues whatever they may be.
In the end this was one of the best trips and most damaging to a lot of people, I am currently in competition with Robert as to who has the biggest damage.
Sorry for the long description, and again thanks to all that helped in getting every one home without town trucks or worse.
I want to take the time here to thank some people on my and Robert's behalf (since he has issues posting on the forum-some technical stuff). Greg B., Rob M., Drew E., and Mike McT., went out of their way on this trip to assist several people, myself included. Whether it was tools, parts, experience, advice, or even guiding us through the trees and rocks, these guys did an awesome job and I am very pleased to know these people and call them friends. Everyone who was there (this trip) helped each other on spotting and advice, or assistance - we really have a great club!
Now that that is over - after the repairs Drew and I headed to Plateau and arrived there just past 9pm. In the morning we were joined by Sopel and after a large breakfast hit the road towards the Roche Lake area. Heading through the hills past Palmer Meadows Lake (Ok lake but no camp site) we managed to get through into the Roche Lake Park and enjoy a coffee at the resort. Drew had to head home so we said our goodbyes and Sopel and I went exploring the area. This place is an off-roading amusement park, there is every type of trail here you might ever want: rock crawling, mud pits, river crossings, marsh fields, country roads, 24 deg. inclines, off-camber stuff, ruts, sandy trails, forgotten trails, and the list goes on. The lakes are great and in many cases not occupied by anyone, the fishing is plenty! We arrived at Ernest and decided to take something that was classified as a decommissioned trail, turned out that there was a stretch of it about 100' long that was covered by the lake/marsh and got a bit deep in some spots. After getting through that we went around the mountains and then back to camp. In the morning we head out to explore - since we got lazy we decided to eat breakfast at the resort (good food) and headed North to Hosli and Talmage Lake. More amazing trails and large puddles to cross and by the time we got to Hosli (which is very nice!) Sopel's e-brake was not working and there was an unpleasant grinding in the back. We ripped the drum off and found mostly mud and pebbles jamming everything. After cleaning it all up we were off, then I lost my rear brakes, both e-brake and regular. Since no noises were coming from the back and I had to head home we decided to take it easy on the Highway and head back. Just after Quilchena there was an accident on the highway with a logging truck and trees everywhere. We were told about 4-5hrs wait or head to Kamloops and then to Merritt which would be about 2 hours+. So after consulting the maps and GPS and talking to the locals (who told us we can't get to Hwy 97C) we went anyways on the only dirt road leading away from Quilchena. Got to Hamilton Creek IR and headed West to Lundbom Lake through the Douglas ranch property. With amazing views of the valleys we finally arrived at the highway (on the road that did not exist or was accessible in accordance to the locals) and hit Merritt for fuel, food, air and coffee. I drove home with no rear brakes and arrived safely, after we took the toll bypass of course.
So now the cruiser sits and waits for me to have some time to tear apart the rear end and fix the issues whatever they may be.
In the end this was one of the best trips and most damaging to a lot of people, I am currently in competition with Robert as to who has the biggest damage.
Sorry for the long description, and again thanks to all that helped in getting every one home without town trucks or worse.
.
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I guess we know when to head up there next year.
