One Last trip of the year
Well
this was a mountain bike trip and may give you a peek into my personal life a
bit with some history.
History
I was born and raised in the Tatlayoko Lake Valley about 250 km west of Williams Lake. My mom still lives in the area and was not impressed with my idea. Last year there was a mountain bike trip over three days and part of it was on the backside of the lake on our old cow trail and was called the Chilko Challenge. I have not been on this trail in about 22 years but before that had chased cows on it many times as a kid. I wondered if my memories and ideas of riding my bike on it were even possible and after hearing about the race was even more interested. One other note of interest was that my dad had passed away on a trip on this very trail and I had never returned to the spot so decided it was time and something for my Bucket list.
The trip around the 14-mile lake took 11 hours and was 67 km long. I took along a spot locator and a friend’s vhf radio so was confident if things went wrong I could communicate out at least.
Here are some of the pictures from the three-day trip, which included a Quad trip up Perkins Peak with some friends.
My Toyota with a bike rack as the first plan was to go with friends but everyone canceled at the last minute but in the end it was OK as the trip was a little extreme even for me.
Firs thing was the quad trip in the afternoon of the day I arrived.
Cattle trailer worked good to haul all the quads.
My moms perfect (compared to the others) quad, which I was very special to be able to use for this trip. No scratches allowed.
Some other people needed rides and so we took turns doubling as needed.
Getting close to the top. Standard issue rain gear as the rain had just passed.
Picture of the mine on the side of the mountain.
Nearing the top above the snow line.
Group photo at the top of the ridge but not the mountain as it would have taken another hour and we did not have time.
On the other side of the peak where we explored a bit and found another tailings pile from exploration.
The rock looks like it should be mined and was quite odd colours and types. Too bad the sun was not out or it would have been very nice.
END of part one, day one, next day bike trip.
This is a spot location and if you click the link switch to satellite mode and then zoom in you will see the detail and just to the north of the spot location you will see our old barns. I have included an old picture of them as they are now gone.
Spot location of start of the trip and our old ranch. Remember to switch modes and zoom in.
This link should be zoomed in.
This link should be zoomed out.
Our old house which you see to the north west of the spot location.
Our old barns. Lots of memories and hard work around these.
Spot link just starting out. There are other peoples pictures on the google site as well for those interested.
This is what it looked like and the orange device is the spot.
Note the snow on the mountain.
Picture down the lake from another time. It looks like a long way and it was.
Spot link of part way down the west side of the lake.
These are the trails on the west side and I took some pictures of the different kinds and actually made good time. All the memories of chasing cows came back as I took each turn in the trail. The first part is a logging road long grown in from the 70s.
Some nice riding along the lake.
After the logging ends it is just a cow trail and I could remember every turn and twist as I traveled it.
Some places are above the lake and gave a great view.
Much of the trail is fallen in and is too rough to ride but was still interesting to remember cutting the logs out and chasing 100 head of cattle along this narrow trail.
Logs have fallen and remain as not many people use the trail and it is hard to maintain.
This is the specific spot where my dad passed away in an accident in 1982. Just being there was an experience, as I had never returned to the spot so felt a little overwhelming at this time. It was hard to imagine the how and why. We were chasing cows across this river in spring high water and his horse fell and cinch broke and he was swept out into the lake and disappeared. One minute struggling with life and the next gone. I continued on a bit saddened.
Our old drift fence to count cows and hold them at night.
Our old cabin that we would stagger into after chasing cows for 14 – 17 hours. It was home back then.
The front looks the same but it has fallen into a state as well.
Our old outdoor cooking area was still standing.
Getting closer to the end of the lake and things going well.
Now not so well with a flat tire. Damaged tire and concerned that another flat was on the way so I took a bit of time to try and fix it right. It held for the trip but failed shortly after and was flat at home.
The big river going out of the lake, four rivers feed in and many streams so they all go out here. It was about belly deep but easy to cross. I got lost in an alder swamp after crossing and it is hard to explain unless you know the area.
Looking north back up the lake. The mountains you see I travel right under them in the later pictures.
The old boom logs are still around that used to stop logs going down the river. My dad had walked these logs on other occasions and I remembered the stories that were told about them.
Coming back on the east side of the lake. Still one more river to cross before any drivable roads that would enable me to catch a ride home.
Still a long way home and getting tired.
One last river (the worst) to cross. There is a log they tell me. Not up river that I can see.
Not down river that I can see.
There is the road on the other side and I don’t have time to figure out where the log is. One more strip down and wade across. This is deeper and faster than it looks and was scary to cross with a bike and all my stuff. The rocks are big and hard to walk in with the water pushing you waste deep. The white glacier water also did a number on the cables and chain on my bike, which started giving me trouble right after crossing. Next time some oil in the tool kit to help with these kinds of problems.
Top of a large hill on the road and the sun showing up on the mountains looked nice. Still 20 k to go but did it on the road in a couple of hours and got home by 7:00 pm
Another view of the mountains, the same ones you could see from the end of the lake.
Across at the west side.
End of the lake and 4 k to where I left the truck.
I can say that I did it but will not return for an annual trek, as it was too rough and far to be fun. I did the trip to relive some childhood memories and it brought them all back in vivid detail so accomplished that for me.
Look for updates at Christmas.
Daniel