Mud Lakes, Poison Mountain, China Head - 6th-7th-8th August

[Arcades]

looking forward to this run!

Will there be fuel stops or will i need to haul additional fuel?

Anyone going up there from the city on Friday- I will probably be working for the day and wanted to head up there afterwords... convoy?

[chrismac]

We'll be heading up Friday most likely.
Will anyone going be able to take a passenger?

[Arcades]

i have a friend that may be coming up with me... if not i will have an empty seat. I will check and let you know... who is it for? What time Friday are you thinking about heading up?

[chrismac]

its for Pippas dad Larry.

[ANDYD]

Peak To Peak Off-Road Adventure - Sat 6th - Sun 7th - Mon 8th August 2016

Hello Rover-Landers,
Our August club run revisits some of the same highlights we explored 2 years ago on our "Best of the Best" Loop in the Lilloett area.
This three day loop that starts near Lilloett and ends near Lilloett is all about going Peak to Peak. Starting at Carpenter Lake on Saturday morning we will head up to skirt around Mud Lakes, drive atop the 2000m peak of Poison Mountain. After a night wilderness camping at Davey Jones Creek, on Sunday morning we drive atop 2000m peak of China Head then follow the ridge along to our next campsite in the meadows of French Bar Creek, Monday morning we drop into the enormous Chisholm Canyon, to cross the river using the Big Bar Cable Ferry, climb the switch backs out of the canyon into the Edge Hills wilderness area. If time allows we can climb another 2000m peak at Pavillion Mountain before dropping down into Lilloett and heading for home.
The road conditions will be generally "medium" off-road with some big hill climbs, some narrow high roads, some typical bush pin striping (although a this area is mostly above tree level and more open than the typical Fraser Valley runs). All Land Rovers (even totally stock) are more than capable on this terrain. You can check the Gallery for photos in the same areas to gauge the terrain.
It will be wilderness camping with very few amenities along the way. You will need to bring along everything you need for 3 days.

You will have the option of heading up to the meeting spot at the east end of Carpenter lake on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning where we will camp on Friday night under the Terzaghi Dam (was once known as the Mission Dam) at the rec site. +50° 47' 20.70", -122° 13' 12.00"
https://goo.gl/maps/HK7tcWCxKjS2

A couple of notes;

Saturday morning we will depart the Carpenter Lake camp site at 10am (if you are coming up to meet us here on Saturday morning allow 4.5 hrs from Vancouver and let us know to look out for you).
Weather although on the past trips it has been generally quite hot in this area, you should be prepared to encounter anything from Freezing 0 degs at night to plus 40 degs in the mid-day.
Vehicle -it needs to be in good mechanical shape! In the case of a breakdown we will never leave anyone behind and will always get your vehicle moving or pull you out to the nearest highway with cell service. (Always a good idea to have your BCAA membership in pocket - just in case!). Bringing along a few spares is always a good idea and between us all we should have a good collection. A good spare tire is a must have. ( ...only 3 wheels on my wagon...)
Food and drink - bring along enough food and drink for at least 3 days! Hopefully we will be able to have a camp fire each night (depending on the local fire bans on the dates).
Fuel - the longest off road section without gas stations is approx 250 kms, the last place to fill up will be Lilloett (note the gas stations close at 9pm if you are joining us on Friday night).
Communications- Our primary communication will be with VHF channel 146.460 and secondary will be CB channel 4, if you don't have either in your vehicle, if you can get your hands on a hand-held VHF just to monitor the convoy information it would be beneficial (lots of interesting and useful information gets passed along the line when on the move).

Any questions, let me know .... Post up if your coming along, (we can only wait for you if we know you are coming!).
Cheers,
Andy

[chrismac]

Pippa and I will be going. Larry, her father will be going also. He will need a ride, post up if you have a spare seat.

[bsa_m21]

I'd love to bring my 80". I'll have to tow it up to Lillooet from Vancouver (otherwise I'd have to leave a few days early to get there on time :lol: ). I can drive it from there to the campground. Is there a safe place to leave my tow truck for the three days? Somewhere where I don't have to backtrack to Carpenter Lake on the Monday?

Martin

[ANDYD]

Hi Martin,

Yes Lillooet would be the best place to leave your tow vehicle, as you will start and end there.

The last time we did this loop the Series trucks were having trouble with fuel supply / carburetor issues on the big hill climbs and with the hot mid-day heat. You would need to be comfortable that yours could handle these elements.

cheers, Andy

[bsa_m21]

Hi Andy,

Slow and steady on steep slopes is the mantra of my 80". She always runs cool and a bit on the rich side, so elevation shouldn't be too much of an issue. Brakes are good, tires are aggressive with double inner tubes (an African trick), and winch can pull a Unimog out of mud (mind you, I had to tie off to a big tree). Mechanically she is rock solid with a fresh rebuild of the front hubs.

So, other than extra oil and a spare tank of fuel, any other issues I should be aware of? :shock:

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8658/2842 ... c9b7_z.jpg

Martin

[Arcades]

Looks like I will have a free seat available.

[chrismac]

I'll call you. Thank you.

[ANDYD]

Hey Martin,
Sounds like a great truck, good to have you along if you can make it. Allow around 30-40 minutes to get from Lillooet to the dam at Carpenter Lake.

Hi Mark / Chris,
Did you confirm your departure times? I hope to get out of Vancouver just before the Friday rush hour.

cheers,
Andy

[acg]

I plan on departing from Chilliwack on Fri late morning via Hwy 1 (eastwards) and then Hwy 12 (heading north towards Lillooet). It will be me, James (11 yr old) and Danny (8 yr old). I will look out for the group on Friday evening at the Carpenter Lake campsite. I will also be bringing my portable ham and will tune in to 146.460.

See you on Friday!

[WGCManson]

Be aware that the Bridge River/Lillooet area has experienced very heavy pptn during the last few weeks and it's pouring as I write. The Davy Jones component of the track has experienced some debris flows in the recent past and you should try to get updated information as it may not be possible to get out to the river. Over the BC Day weekend we saw a lot of visitor traffic so by now updated information is probably out there.

Also take note that both the Shulaps and Cayoosh ranges have recently received vehicle closures above 1920 metres (6200' approx). CO's are enforcing.

Hope the adventure goes well!! It should-you're driving the right machines.

We'll be out that way for our annual trip in the Fall.



Mike Kennedy
Texas Creek
LILLOOET

[ANDYD]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the information, good to know we have a local Land Rover enthusiast in the area.
I have been chatting with the Provincial representative for the area via email and he has been updating me on the road conditions through Davey Jones Creek area, across China Head and the Big Bar Ferry. I will check in with him again tomorrow to see if the past weekends heavy rain has changed anything.

Maybe you will join us one year?

Cheers, Andy

[Arcades]

I put out feelers for info from some folks that were up there this last weekend....I will update if I hear anything.

On another note: is anyone heading out Friday morning?

[Crs]

I'm in! :alien:

Andy, Arcades, Acg - I;m also interested in teaming up on Friday to convoy up. I'm flexible as to departure time. Please let me know.

[acg]

I'm in! :alien:

Andy, Arcades, Acg - I;m also interested in teaming up on Friday to convoy up. I'm flexible as to departure time. Please let me know.

This will be my route:
https://www.google.ca/maps/dir/Chilliwa ... 50.7890833

Andy:
Are you planning on going on Hwy 99 and through Whistler? If yes, I will meet you either at the campsite or Lillooet on Friday evening since I am taking a different route.

Craig:
Your Surrey location means you are between Andy and my respective departure points in Stevenson and Chilliwack. It is best that you decide for youself if you would like to convoy with Andy or me. I am planning on leaving around noon on Friday from Chilliwack.

[ANDYD]

Andrew / Craig,

I am leaving Vancouver around 2pm, probably shoot up the Sea to Sky up to Lillooet. Makes more sense for Andrew to head up highway #1 as he is out in Chilliwack. Craig, its about the same either way for you, so probably depends more on your departure time. Sounds like Andrew will be a couple hours ahead of me with his departure.

Andy

[Crs]

Thanks, Andy.

Andrew? Google maps shows it's better, time-wise, to get to Lillooet via Hope than the Sea2Sky.

[bsa_m21]

I plan to leave between 1-2pm Fri and take the Hwy 12 route. Will leave my tow vehicle somewhere in Lillooet (still to be determined) and drive the 80" from there on.

Martin

[Arcades]

info from those that were up there last week:

"Roads were fine, creek crossings were no problem. You should carry a chainsaw. We didn't need one, but trees come down.
We had rain off and on, sometimes a bit heavy, and always enough to make the tents wet just in time to pack up, of course.

Can't go up the China Head road that goes to the peak, the ridge road is OK. That's cause of the elevation restriction you mentioned. Keep to the main road through the area and you will be OK.

And try not to show up at the Big Bar reaction ferry near lunchtime. He really doesn't like it, especially with 13 vehicles!"

Looks like we will be fine... bring rain gear though!

[WGCManson]

Hi Andy..

In addition note that there is an on-again-off-again roadblock/protest camp stopping traffic on the Yalakom River road near Junction Creek. This group is not sanctioned by the Bridge River Indian Band.

Who's the area provincial representative?

Mike

[chrismac]

Weather forecast looks good. I'm looking forward to this trip. Pippa and I will be leaving around six....save us a camp spot please.

[Bill E.]

Hi Andy..

In addition note that there is an on-again-off-again roadblock/protest camp stopping traffic on the Yalakom River road near Junction Creek. This group is not sanctioned by the Bridge River Indian Band.

Who's the area provincial representative?

Mike

Hi Mike,
I'm sure you are just trying to be helpful but..... YOU WORRY TOO MUCH!! :wink: