So early last week I was arranging to head out wheeling with my buddy Dave this weekend. I was busy sorting out my weekend plan when 
reminded me about some anniversary thing. Oh, um right
. So when buddy said he prolly couldn't make it I had to make plans to take Jenni somewhere worthwhile. Forecast was gloomy for the coast so I decided to head east past Manning.
Saturday morning we were on the highway at 10am. Surprisingly gas was 78.5/l in Hope. Compact snow started well before Allison pass and I started to wonder just how much snow there would be. The destination in mind was Placer Lake.
Turned off the highway at Copper Creek and aired down. Only a couple inches of snow at Similkameen River so I figured there was still a chance. Switchbacked up the hillside and did my best navigating with my backroads mapbook and an old copy of Fourwheelers Companion. Now keep in mind I'd never been to Placer Lake. I've seen a couple trip reports on the net but directions were always pretty vague. The area has been heavily logged and tons of new roads everywhere.
Sitting up at a grassy hillside after several guesses as to which fork in the road was best it became clear the mapbook and the trail guide were going to be of little help. The view over the valley was good and we figured out roughly where the lake should be, and set off in that direction. Things were looking up when I recognized a steep decent down the grassy slope to the valley floor, and a coral I had seen in pictures. Took an old trail that led to a creek. I saw quad tracks continue and I knew I needed to be on the other side of the creek to hook up to a major FSR. Some interesting wheeling through an old clearcut following some quad tracks and eventually I got onto the main road. A few dead end turn offs later and we were on a road I was very sure was the right way when we got to a sign: Placer Lake 600m ahead, vehicle access not recommended.
The trail was not too steep, but had a couple of rough spots that looked like they might be sketchy blanketed in snow. I gave it a shot and soon was at the lake.
The lake is very peaceful and scenic this time of year. The camp was clean well kept. Nobody came up all weekend, so it was just us and the wildlife. I am glad I tend to overpack expecting the worst because this time I was not expecting it to be quite so wintery. It was cold but Jenni really enjoyed the weekend.
On the way out I thought I'd try to get up to Placer Mtn. Same problem with the maze of side roads so we never made it to the peak. Maybe next time.
reminded me about some anniversary thing. Oh, um right. So when buddy said he prolly couldn't make it I had to make plans to take Jenni somewhere worthwhile. Forecast was gloomy for the coast so I decided to head east past Manning.Saturday morning we were on the highway at 10am. Surprisingly gas was 78.5/l in Hope. Compact snow started well before Allison pass and I started to wonder just how much snow there would be. The destination in mind was Placer Lake.
Turned off the highway at Copper Creek and aired down. Only a couple inches of snow at Similkameen River so I figured there was still a chance. Switchbacked up the hillside and did my best navigating with my backroads mapbook and an old copy of Fourwheelers Companion. Now keep in mind I'd never been to Placer Lake. I've seen a couple trip reports on the net but directions were always pretty vague. The area has been heavily logged and tons of new roads everywhere.
Sitting up at a grassy hillside after several guesses as to which fork in the road was best it became clear the mapbook and the trail guide were going to be of little help. The view over the valley was good and we figured out roughly where the lake should be, and set off in that direction. Things were looking up when I recognized a steep decent down the grassy slope to the valley floor, and a coral I had seen in pictures. Took an old trail that led to a creek. I saw quad tracks continue and I knew I needed to be on the other side of the creek to hook up to a major FSR. Some interesting wheeling through an old clearcut following some quad tracks and eventually I got onto the main road. A few dead end turn offs later and we were on a road I was very sure was the right way when we got to a sign: Placer Lake 600m ahead, vehicle access not recommended.
The trail was not too steep, but had a couple of rough spots that looked like they might be sketchy blanketed in snow. I gave it a shot and soon was at the lake.
The lake is very peaceful and scenic this time of year. The camp was clean well kept. Nobody came up all weekend, so it was just us and the wildlife. I am glad I tend to overpack expecting the worst because this time I was not expecting it to be quite so wintery. It was cold but Jenni really enjoyed the weekend.
On the way out I thought I'd try to get up to Placer Mtn. Same problem with the maze of side roads so we never made it to the peak. Maybe next time.
.
.
. I still made her walk it just in case.
