freeze
07-28-2010, 05:17 AM
This was definitely a trail do remember!
It started out with a group of 7 registered for this adventure. Down to the last hour 3 remained. Victor, Meghan and myself. We were set for a trail that we've never done and for Meghan and Victor a first away trip to complete 100KM's of trail in the rugged interior B.C. Meghan driving her 4Runner, Victor driving his 4Runner and myself in the Tacoma.
We started our adventure on the HWY 1 to Revelstoke B.C. The drive was quite slow as we encountered quite a few construction zones which weren't there last week! We left Calgary early enough that it didn't matter as we rolled through Revelstoke 5hrs later. We altered the route up through Nelson as Victor was pretty excited to ride a ferry across the lake.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4839220638_07391d4180_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4839221940_7915e2b638_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4838609849_47a9b3c8b3_b.jpg
It was an incredible evening ride across the ferry and drive into Nakusp. Not too long after we were driving into Nelson and talking about the adventure that happened just a few days before. A quick stop at the local grocery store for last minute items and eats and we were continuing on to Princeton.
Our time of arrival into Princeton was showing 12AM so we decided to make camp before hand just outside Osoyoos. The spot which looked most appealing at night was a fruit stand parking lot! A quick set up, camp and we were all zzzzz's.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4839224140_fc65fd036a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4838612767_433df6e56f_b.jpg
Next morning we had about 45 minutes more to Princeton where we had breakfast along the way in a small little gold mining town. It had taken us a while to find the trail head as none of us have actually done Whipsaw before. First we did a 40KM loop of forestry roads which area all named Whipsaw something or another. (Whipsaw-Creek) We figured to just stay on the main road until I noticed a sign with a tiny little yellow arrow made out of tape and a small scribble on it which read "whipsaw"... this had to be it!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4839224950_82a4a2ef8c_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839226676_0d3cf584ec_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4838614553_7f4a43128a_b.jpg
The trail began as a nice extremely well maintained trail which winds it's way up into the mountainside which a spectacular view of the snow covered mountains in the distance. Soon the extremely smooth trail turned a little pebbly, rocky, then bouldery. A few good rocky climbs which gave Victor's open diffs a good work out.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4839227442_eedb4db3cb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4838615313_ae70136331_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4839228366_6687ebfa1d_b.jpg
We took our time at a couple of the small pond/lakes which were very clear. The one thing that was a common theme was bathing in Muskol as the horse flies and mosquito's were swarming and hungry. After taking in the incredible views we carried on up to the famous rock wall.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4839230898_6c437cff76_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4838621107_88baf7078b_b.jpg
This wall is a large rock formation that has been marked as a memorial for a fellow named Jeff Janzen. I've seen videos on YouTube of people making it after a few tries and few not making it. I gave it a go with the rear shocks set a little too soft and unloaded pretty nicely at the top of the climb. Victor being fully open made it first try without drama and Meghan too walked it. I wonder how many women have actually made that obstacle?
The trail then turned into the forest which looked more like a jungle, tight turns and deep ruts that crossed up IFS suspension and had the two 4Runner's three wheeling a few times. It wasn't long till we made it to the lake. This trail with only three people took us 3 hours to get to the lake which is a little more past the half way mark.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4838620403_d39acbdcb1_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4839233554_e004642b08_b.jpg
Once again... I can't say enough about the views. We made a nice steak, corn on the cob, potato dinner. Meghan had the hammock out and Victor of course had a good try at it. I had to replace a steering boot which was cut. Thanks to Victor for his help as it's a bit of a two man...ahem..person job.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4838622385_5c2a4573c6_b.jpg
We heard a few vehicles coming down as and found out the BC Jeep Club was going to camp at the lake... this was our que to keep on going! Apparently there were going to be a party of 20, plus we weren't going to camp any where near 100ft of the lake.
We decided for a night of adventure and we carried on zig zagging through the forest climbing rocks and tree roots. It was almost a scene from Jurassic Park. We came up to Falcon Hill... I barely knew we had climbed it if it wasn't for a glimmer of light coming off the sign.
Meghan drove right up it as she was radio'ing to Victor about something! "Oh that was Falcon Hill?!" She said after getting out of her 4Runner at the top. Victor was also making his way up. Really nice driving from the both of them, smooth and consistent!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4838623055_8efba10331_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4839235154_f44f06a26c_b.jpg
There was one section after this which was nice little obstacle with a good two foot rock on the driver's and a dip with a one foot rock face on the passenger. Victor being open needed momentum to keep him moving as a tire will be 1.5 feet off the ground once the driver's climbs the rock ledge. Meghan with her ARB rear air locker gave her enough traction to crawl up it on three wheels.
We then started to climb again and plateaued at higher alpine where it was a nice flat area to camp the night. The moon was bright enough to see the valley below and the mountain ranges in the distance. A night in paradise. We didn't even build a fire as the scenery was amazing without and we didn't want to leave a charcoal mark behind as this trail is pristine.
The morning was clear and warmed up very quickly. The bugs didn't sleep and hundreds of them were trying to get into the tent for a feast. We cooked up scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon steaks. (Victor brought bacon steaks!) Half inch thick bacon strips! We cooked the whole pack and saved the rest for bacon jerky for later!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4839235836_44346f29fa_b.jpg
The trail started to loose elevation and the it became a series of tight turns that dropped into the thick forest. It wasn't too long after we came upon a group of Land Rover Defender's. It was the Land Rover Club which maintains the trails. They were there finishing up a log bridge for ATV's as they kept pushing out further into the wetland (skeg) and bogging out the terrain. This was the last obstacle (well wasn't really at all) out of Whipsaw. We stayed and talked with them and digged their Defender's (Loved the Defender 110 Military from Singapore!)
Last little trench and a small climb up the bank and we were on our way out of the trail!
This trail can be easily done in 5-10 Hrs depending on motivation and sight seeing done by the group. Our total moving time on the trail including the massive detours/lost at the beginning was 8 hours.
We had made it back to Princeton where Victor was then going to keep going out to Vancouver. Meghan and I decided to hit the Kal Tire in Penticton as I was slightly out of line.
We had an incredible time and had an experience we'll never forget. I hope more CT4WD member's can experience this next year. I feel confident that our group is responsible enough to drive the trail as they are doing an incredible job keeping it maintained. We made good use of the Trasheroo bag as we picked up a huge amount of garbage left at the camp fires people have made in the past and the odd beer cans on the trail.
As for carnage... there was none!
Meghan and I took the long way home with stops in Penticton, Osoyoos, Nelson, and Fernie! It feels a little strange sleeping in a house! :D
Photo's should be coming soon and so will the video!
_eI4owq4j8U
It started out with a group of 7 registered for this adventure. Down to the last hour 3 remained. Victor, Meghan and myself. We were set for a trail that we've never done and for Meghan and Victor a first away trip to complete 100KM's of trail in the rugged interior B.C. Meghan driving her 4Runner, Victor driving his 4Runner and myself in the Tacoma.
We started our adventure on the HWY 1 to Revelstoke B.C. The drive was quite slow as we encountered quite a few construction zones which weren't there last week! We left Calgary early enough that it didn't matter as we rolled through Revelstoke 5hrs later. We altered the route up through Nelson as Victor was pretty excited to ride a ferry across the lake.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4839220638_07391d4180_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4839221940_7915e2b638_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4838609849_47a9b3c8b3_b.jpg
It was an incredible evening ride across the ferry and drive into Nakusp. Not too long after we were driving into Nelson and talking about the adventure that happened just a few days before. A quick stop at the local grocery store for last minute items and eats and we were continuing on to Princeton.
Our time of arrival into Princeton was showing 12AM so we decided to make camp before hand just outside Osoyoos. The spot which looked most appealing at night was a fruit stand parking lot! A quick set up, camp and we were all zzzzz's.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4839224140_fc65fd036a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4838612767_433df6e56f_b.jpg
Next morning we had about 45 minutes more to Princeton where we had breakfast along the way in a small little gold mining town. It had taken us a while to find the trail head as none of us have actually done Whipsaw before. First we did a 40KM loop of forestry roads which area all named Whipsaw something or another. (Whipsaw-Creek) We figured to just stay on the main road until I noticed a sign with a tiny little yellow arrow made out of tape and a small scribble on it which read "whipsaw"... this had to be it!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4839224950_82a4a2ef8c_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839226676_0d3cf584ec_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4838614553_7f4a43128a_b.jpg
The trail began as a nice extremely well maintained trail which winds it's way up into the mountainside which a spectacular view of the snow covered mountains in the distance. Soon the extremely smooth trail turned a little pebbly, rocky, then bouldery. A few good rocky climbs which gave Victor's open diffs a good work out.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4839227442_eedb4db3cb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4838615313_ae70136331_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4839228366_6687ebfa1d_b.jpg
We took our time at a couple of the small pond/lakes which were very clear. The one thing that was a common theme was bathing in Muskol as the horse flies and mosquito's were swarming and hungry. After taking in the incredible views we carried on up to the famous rock wall.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4839230898_6c437cff76_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4838621107_88baf7078b_b.jpg
This wall is a large rock formation that has been marked as a memorial for a fellow named Jeff Janzen. I've seen videos on YouTube of people making it after a few tries and few not making it. I gave it a go with the rear shocks set a little too soft and unloaded pretty nicely at the top of the climb. Victor being fully open made it first try without drama and Meghan too walked it. I wonder how many women have actually made that obstacle?
The trail then turned into the forest which looked more like a jungle, tight turns and deep ruts that crossed up IFS suspension and had the two 4Runner's three wheeling a few times. It wasn't long till we made it to the lake. This trail with only three people took us 3 hours to get to the lake which is a little more past the half way mark.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4838620403_d39acbdcb1_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4839233554_e004642b08_b.jpg
Once again... I can't say enough about the views. We made a nice steak, corn on the cob, potato dinner. Meghan had the hammock out and Victor of course had a good try at it. I had to replace a steering boot which was cut. Thanks to Victor for his help as it's a bit of a two man...ahem..person job.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4838622385_5c2a4573c6_b.jpg
We heard a few vehicles coming down as and found out the BC Jeep Club was going to camp at the lake... this was our que to keep on going! Apparently there were going to be a party of 20, plus we weren't going to camp any where near 100ft of the lake.
We decided for a night of adventure and we carried on zig zagging through the forest climbing rocks and tree roots. It was almost a scene from Jurassic Park. We came up to Falcon Hill... I barely knew we had climbed it if it wasn't for a glimmer of light coming off the sign.
Meghan drove right up it as she was radio'ing to Victor about something! "Oh that was Falcon Hill?!" She said after getting out of her 4Runner at the top. Victor was also making his way up. Really nice driving from the both of them, smooth and consistent!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4838623055_8efba10331_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4839235154_f44f06a26c_b.jpg
There was one section after this which was nice little obstacle with a good two foot rock on the driver's and a dip with a one foot rock face on the passenger. Victor being open needed momentum to keep him moving as a tire will be 1.5 feet off the ground once the driver's climbs the rock ledge. Meghan with her ARB rear air locker gave her enough traction to crawl up it on three wheels.
We then started to climb again and plateaued at higher alpine where it was a nice flat area to camp the night. The moon was bright enough to see the valley below and the mountain ranges in the distance. A night in paradise. We didn't even build a fire as the scenery was amazing without and we didn't want to leave a charcoal mark behind as this trail is pristine.
The morning was clear and warmed up very quickly. The bugs didn't sleep and hundreds of them were trying to get into the tent for a feast. We cooked up scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon steaks. (Victor brought bacon steaks!) Half inch thick bacon strips! We cooked the whole pack and saved the rest for bacon jerky for later!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4839235836_44346f29fa_b.jpg
The trail started to loose elevation and the it became a series of tight turns that dropped into the thick forest. It wasn't too long after we came upon a group of Land Rover Defender's. It was the Land Rover Club which maintains the trails. They were there finishing up a log bridge for ATV's as they kept pushing out further into the wetland (skeg) and bogging out the terrain. This was the last obstacle (well wasn't really at all) out of Whipsaw. We stayed and talked with them and digged their Defender's (Loved the Defender 110 Military from Singapore!)
Last little trench and a small climb up the bank and we were on our way out of the trail!
This trail can be easily done in 5-10 Hrs depending on motivation and sight seeing done by the group. Our total moving time on the trail including the massive detours/lost at the beginning was 8 hours.
We had made it back to Princeton where Victor was then going to keep going out to Vancouver. Meghan and I decided to hit the Kal Tire in Penticton as I was slightly out of line.
We had an incredible time and had an experience we'll never forget. I hope more CT4WD member's can experience this next year. I feel confident that our group is responsible enough to drive the trail as they are doing an incredible job keeping it maintained. We made good use of the Trasheroo bag as we picked up a huge amount of garbage left at the camp fires people have made in the past and the odd beer cans on the trail.
As for carnage... there was none!
Meghan and I took the long way home with stops in Penticton, Osoyoos, Nelson, and Fernie! It feels a little strange sleeping in a house! :D
Photo's should be coming soon and so will the video!
_eI4owq4j8U