| Author |
Topic |
 ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 5:07 PM
|
Jim: "its going to be sunny all weekend"
Shadee: "rats that means we gotta get out, any ideas?"
Jim: "how about a four hour death grunt?"
Shadee "ok lets go!"
Destination – Punch bowl. Paradise meadows campground.
Friday night I crawled into bed much later than I had planned on, realizing I was going to get about 5hours sleep. Well, least I was tired, so I could count on a good 5 hours. Not the case. Im unsure why I kept waking up, and usually I have no trouble getting back to sleep, but for some reason this night I was having difficulty. Maybe it was the afterglow of my daughter’s dance recital (proud Mommy), or the excitement of hitting a trail I hadn’t done before. Perhaps a bit of both.
Upon waking at 5:30am I somewhat regretted telling Jim to be at my place for 6:30 (I threatened to start walking if he was late lol). But once ready and waiting outside in the sunshine I had a big smile on my face when Jim and his dawg Midnite arrived.
Ready to go, we stopped for brekky at the Home restaurant (I’ve become somewhat of a regular there haha!) then off to the trailhead with much enthusiasm.
Hot, already, we geared up – Midnite looked enthusiastic for the first time to have her pack put on her back. Then on the trail we started.
At first, a beautiful meander among trees, roots, across a couple bridges one of which had collapsed and the trail has been rerouted, that we somehow missed. Then we reach the junction.
"Whatcom or Dewdney" I asked. "well, Dewdney is the easy way" "ok, Whatcom it is then!"
I wanted a good workout, and I got what I asked for. The trail started out STEEP, ack, we got up the first few switchbacks, then Jim reassured me that it wasn’t a complete slog all the way up (he’s done this one before).
I can see why he called it the four hour death grunt though. It kept going, and going. Up, then level kinda, then more up, I don’t think at one point I was standing entirely straight with my pack on.
It was hot, humid at first but as we reached more in the alpine the heat was drier. I must have drank 4 litres or more, usually 2 litres is plenty for me on a 15km hike.
Jim looked at my thermometer, I had thankfully forgotten I had it attached to my pack, and refused to look at it, I knew it was warm out!
Paradise, was when we came across a fast running stream, with water that looked and tasted clean enough to drink without filtering. “Don’t worry” said Jim "if you’re worried about Giardia I have some pristine drops you can drink!" Good idea, but I don’t know which effect would be worse! 
We hiked on, with laughs, and some quiet moments where I could let my stresses go, leaving my worries behind at the trailhead. The trails have a wonderful way of soothing the soul and relaxing the mind. Maybe it’s because you’re in survival mode, knowing that you have to rely on what you packed, or the logic of thought and problem solving if something goes wrong. But I think most of it is the peace of the forest, the calls of nature. They say domesticated animals are great calmers for stress. I think nature does the same.
Anyhow, Im rambling with my thoughts here.
We stopped for a snack, and a cool off in the next "Shady breezy spot" haha, I thought that was named after me for a moment. 
I envied Midnite, who had boundless energy, running back and forth, now and then swiping me with a slobber, that dog drools a lot. But her sweet loveable nature and cute face makes up for the slobber.
Closer to the top we started to come across patches of snow, for which I was most grateful to posthole through  , since it cooled off my feet. My boots, faithfully waterproof had allowed me to stand in cold streams, and now cold snow. I love my boots…
We made it up to the pass, I still hadn’t looked at my thermometer, but Jim said it had cooled a little. Not enough I thought. The heat was getting to me. I know that when my hands swell.
Then, the lake, oh what a view! This trail is sssoooo worth it! I was tempted to butt slide all the way down to the lake, but I could see bare patches of rocks where I think maybe some butt padding (I have a new patent on 'depends' I think we called them 'descents', although I have yet to try that out – )
So down the trail we went. Muddy in places, postholing more snow in others.
Past the lake we kept going, until reaching a tiny campground. I thought this was it, nope, we still had about another 3km or so to go. Glad I hadn't dropped my pack.
We both agreed had we come up a couple weeks earlier it may have been tricky to find the trail. For once we crossed the stream there was no real evidence of trail markers and the trail was still covered in snow. Took a tinch of looking around for a moment, but then we picked the trail up again on the other side.
Jim decided at the river (Tulameen) we best fill up on water, wow – he filled up his 10litre water container, resulting in adding a whopping 22lbs to his pack!
We finally arrived at a most delightful campground, what a sweet place this was. Jim had told me this place was worth the climb, I have to agree with that.
With the patches of snow we had a 'fridge'. First things first, get the bevvies in the fridge, with a couple other items I'll get to in a moment.
After that we sat on the picnic table, just resting. The heat was quite exhausting.
Once rested we set up camp, and by that time our beer was cold enough to enjoy. Aaahhh the advantages of snow.
We had sidekicks for dinner, with fresh parmesan and salmon (not fressh salmon). We watched clouds roll in, but not completely covering the sky. "those are for alpine glow I said, "I'll make them go away". Around 10pm I saw one or two stars, the clouds had cleared again, but I was too tired to stay up any longer.
Goodnight for me, and I was out like a light.
I’ll leave Jim to fill you in on his story, he stayed up to gaze at the stars.
Next morning I awoke feeling refreshed. Im not sure what time it begins getting light, but I figure I was awake on and off from about 4am, then at 5:30am the sun was just starting to come up.
I wandered around the campground, camera in hand, snapping pictures like crazy. Not as many as Jim, I only had one memory card 
The sun lit up the place, and tiny dew drops sparkled like diamonds.
There were lots of flowers to carpet the ground, and spider webs that appeared as the sun caught them in its light. I had to watch my step, as I was wearing the all fashionable socks with Teva’s, and the ground was quite boggy in some places.
I enjoyed this time of solitude. I like being first up, when everyone else is sleeping, such a peaceful time for me where I can truly do some soul searching. One day I’ll get the courage to do a solo trip, but the time isn’t right for me just yet.
I was ready to make some tea, I got the food down from where Jim had hung it, then a wet slobbery nose greeted me good morning – Midnite.
Boiled up some water, just in time for Jim to have his coffee.
We decided to pack most of our gear, so our tents could be left in the sun to dry while we enjoyed a breakfast. A fair amount of condensation in my tent, but between the fly and the tent. Then off to the fridge to get fresh eggs and cheese.
Scrambled eggs and bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches was what we enjoyed while the sun shone down.
All too soon it was time to throw our packs on, and hit the trail for home. Dewdney was the route back, with many stream crossings, one of which I found my boots aren’t waterproof around the ankles  , but thankfully it was hot enough and the water didn’t get down past my ankle that this wasn’t too much bother. Gaitors would have been good here though.
We saw tons and tons of bear scat, but no bears.
Dewdney trail is also delightful, but I don’t think would take this route in, I figure its gotta be a constant upward slog going in.
Overgrown in places, some nettles stung right through my pants, annoying, but left alone it went away after a bit.
Beautiful flowers, and scents of lilacs (I think, picture below), to delight the nose, I took time to drink it all in.
Hot again, and thirsty like crazy, we found another stream, of which we both took a five minute break to stand in to cool the feet. How often can a person enjoy that?!
I would have liked to have seen a bear, but that would have just been the icing on the cake for a perfect backpacking weekend.
Thankyou Jimbo, and Midnite for your wonderful company.
Once again my hat goes off to Clubtread, for had it not been for this site, I would not have some truly wonderful friends to hike with.
I think that’s my story told, and now here are my pictures, in no particular order.  
 
 (obligatory goofy looking group shot, my camera can't quite do that as effectively )
 that guy sure is fast for a gnome, he was off the bridge before the shutter clicked
  
 
 lots of spider webs
  
  
  
 
just a few pink clouds
 
 this was taken early next morning, with the moon still out 
 
 everywhere was wet with dew..
 these guys were ssooo noisey, I thought they were gonna wake Jim up.
 so cool, I just sat there and watched what the sun had to show me, spider webs glistened as the sun moved.
 
  my hiltonberg - home sweet home!
 yes, fresh eggs, although we ate them all before either of is thought to take a picture of how they cooked up
 Jim working on the bagles with his BFK
  thieves!
  heading back on the Dewdney trail
 can you spot the little guy?
 question for Trailflower, these had the most delightful scent, are they lilacs?
  
 
  I think this is called "Dry lake" (according to the 103 book). Jim said on his last trip there it was actually dry.
I somehow have a feeling Jimbo has a few more photos to add |
Edited by - Shadee on 05/30/2005 5:08 PM
|
|
 Back busted, pumpkin carvin, toyota drivin, wacky hair canvas painter that likes a cold Beer on a subzero day
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
1078 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 5:16 PM
|
Wow, I've never seen water in that lake before!
Great pics, looks like a good time!
Can't go through Hope with out stoping at the Home Restaurant! |
|
|
| Terra
Intermediate Member
|
Never-Never Land, B.C.
Canada
720 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 5:37 PM
|
Hats of to you two for trekking in that heat! You obviously picked a nice looking destination by the looks of your pics.
----------------------------------------
"A noise like of a hidden brook in the leafy month of June, that to the sleeping woods all night singeth a quiet tune." ~~Samuel Taylor Coleridge~~
|
|
|
|
canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6871 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 5:38 PM
|
| Excellent..BG had talked about this place just a while ago,and I was curious over what this place was all about.Thanks for the nice T/R |
|
|
 adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 5:41 PM
|
You got a lot of nice photos - and nice job on the TR, Shadee
I haven't quite finished the commentary on my pix yet - and some are pretty much dupes of what Shadee's already posted, but what the heck.
Thanks for coming out, Shadee - and great work on a "bitch" of a hike
Trail Rating: Not Easy
Stats: 30km round loop, with about 1,050 metres of elev gain.
103 hikes lists this as approximately a 6.5% grade.
NOT.
I think you can safely double that for the mostpart of the Whatcom Trail; there's over 1,000m of gain in somewhere around 8-9 km, so better than a 10% grade anyhow. The trail is definitely a workout - but worth the effort for the beauty and solitude!!!
  
Geared up and good to go
An easy beginning
The bridge with a broken back 
 
Hmmmm... which way to go?
 
  
 
 
HOT! Time to cool the burning feet
  
  
The air was thick with pollen - giving Mid's black coat a yellow dusting.
 
  
Snow! Mid's got the right idea for cooling off
  
  
Our first view of the Punchbowl; it's all downhill from here.
The punchbowl campground
Last time on this trail, LongShadow, Nut and I had to backtrack to get water. This time I wanted to avoid that, so grabbed an extra 10L while the getting was good
 
The trail from the Punch Bowl to Snassview isn't well marked - nor well maintained. We saw one trail marker and one piece of flagging tape, and things were a bit sketchy in places - zig-zagging back and forth across the creek
  
Snass View camp! Woo hoo... we made it!
 
 
 
Unlike the night LongShadow, Nut and I spent there, the mercury didn't drop too low (maybe to ten degrees or so). Lots of great star-gazing to be had. Shadee turned in at about ten, and shortly afterwards I was wondering where Mid was. Clicking on my headlamp revealed two glowing eyeballs staring at me out of the vestibule of my tent - LOL. I took pity on her and let her in the tent, where she had the sleeping bag to herself for a couple of hours, while I sat - admiring the fading light and appearing stars (and wishing I had brought my tripod along)
 
 
Appearing geese (the arrow points north), and disappearing moon
  
 
"hold still so I can photograph you!" Geesh... chasing butterflies around camp - trying to capture a shot of its brilliant topside coloring
Morning: time for macros and coffee - the perfect combo to get the day off to a great start. There was a lot of dew and condensation on the tent, but with the blazing sun making its appearance, it didn't take too long to dry things out.
Departure
Last View of Snass View
 
Leaving Cascade - Entering Manning
  
The first few kilometers of the Dewdney trail were often covered with flowing water or snow - or both. I recently bought a new pair of boots, but thought better of breaking them in on this particular trail - so resigned myself to wet feet on the trek down. I wasted no time trying to avoid the water, and often found myself nearly up to my knees in the stuff. Hey - refreshing if nothing else
  
  
There's nothing to gauge the size of this paw print against - but it was large. Tons of bear scat along the trail - but no other signs of Mr. Bear
  
I spent a good chunk of the morning trying to get a decent pic of one of these little beauties. As soon as they land, they open and close their wings a couple of times, then fold up tight - looking like a flake of bark. As luck would have it, one landed on Shadee's leg while we were talking, and posed for a picture! Anyone know what type of butterfly it is? (There's a macro of one closed up above)
  
The (not so) dry lake looked like an inviting place for a dip, as the temps were again close to thirty degrees. If I'm ever in the area again at that time of year, I just might check it out.
  
Floating wood on the lake as we near the Dewdney / Whatcom Junction.
  
... and finally, we cross the bridge, and our journey is complete.
Here's a link to the TR from my last visit there - in the late summer of 2003 - for anyone who's curious
|
|
|
|
Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13090 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 6:12 PM
|
| Shadee,Jimbo,great reportGreat flower shots,and the pic of the little amphibian is interesting,Shadee.Is it a leopard frog? |
|
|
|
trigger happy, bear bangin', beer swillin', dirt-lovin', event organizin', hell raisin' REDneck
Maple Ridge (Redneckville), BC
Canada
2615 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 6:24 PM
|
AAAhhhh - The Punch Bowl trail. One of my favorites. I'll be doing that one myself sometime soon. It's been two years since I did this trail.
Interesting to see water in the "Dry" lake. I love the pass before you get to Punch Bowl lake. The campsite is as pretty as they come.
----------------------------------------
"I'm a backpacker, ...Carbohydrates are my friend". |
|
|
|
ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 6:37 PM
|
Mick I have no idea what kind of frog it is. It jumped right in front of me as I was heading down the trail, luckily Im often watching my feet, else I probably would've stepped on the poor little thing
It was about the size of a quarter, hard to see (esp without my glasses) and didn't seem too afraid of me.
Next trip I make up there I'll be spending two nights, there's a whole other trail heading off in another direction I'd love to explore. |
|
|
|
Mysterious, pop can stove stashin', gps totin', overnighter virgin, wannabe tentmaker and foul weather wuss who rides a thumper to the trailhead with wonderdog Max to hike the Chilliwack Valley
Chwk
Canada
4921 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 8:05 PM
|
I...C...U..!
What a beautiful area! Where exactly is this?
----------------------------------------
Pop can stove-making hiker wannabe that drives a THUMPER to trailheads!
|
|
|
|
bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4663 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 8:27 PM
|
What a nice trip you guys! Kudos for doing it on such a warm day .
Nice pics & TR write-up as usual |
|
|
|
Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 9:36 PM
|
The Punch Bowl/Snass area Manning.
Yeah we were planning on doing this as a two nighter as well. Way to much exploration potential from Snassview.
Nice report |
|
|
|
adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 10:35 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by TheShadow
What a beautiful area! Where exactly is this?
It is a gorgeous area. If you're heading out from Vancouver, you'll pass the turnoff for summalo grove and then rhododendron flats (both on your right), then a click or two further, you'll see the turnoff for cascade recreation area on your left. Here's an excerpt from the BC Parks website and a shot of the map:
The trail commences at the Cascade Recreation Area parking lot (elevation 769 m) located 12 km east of the west entrance to the park and ends at Dick's cabin on the Whipsaw Road. The Cascade Recreation Area parking lot consists of a 20 vehicle parking area, 2 pit toilets and 3 hitching rails.
From the parking lot one follows the west side of Snass Creek in a northerly direction. At 2.5km you will reach the turn off point for the Whatcom Trail to the east, and at 3.5km, from the parking lot, you will arrive at Dry Lake. This lake fills only during spring freshet and dries up by early to mid July. From Dry Lake it is a steady 12.5km climb following a valley to Paradise Valley. If one looks high up on the mountainsides you might be lucky to spot a Grizzly Bear or Mountain Goat.
As you near the top end of the canyon, fill your water bottles, as there is limited water at Snass View Camp. At this point one leaves Manning Park and enters the Cascade Recreation Area. Snass View wilderness camp is located at the Whatcom Trail junction, which is also the west end of Paradise Valley. From the Snass View camp the trail leaves in a north-westerly direction going 1km to yet another junction.
 |
|
|
|
Manitoba's misadventurin' bushwhackin', dog sloggin', dehydratin', beer drinkin' biggie - who's eager to peak bag Mt Currie in a dress
Squamish
5057 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 10:42 PM
|
| Looks like a nice destination; I've yet to visit Manning. Any peak bagging to be had? I seem to remember Dru talking about Snass awhile back.... |
|
|
|
adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:11 PM
|
A couple of the nearby peaks look quite attainable, BF. Here are a couple of examples - right by the punchbowl.
I think Snass is on the right in this shot - Mount Dunno on the left. "Where's my damn map when I need it!"
btw - I just added a bunch of commentary to my previous post (above) |
|
|
|
ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:16 PM
|
looking at 103 books Snass is on the left, Snazzy on the right, but then again, that could be wrong
campground is called "Snassview" but mentions nothing of the like in the book - only Paradise meadows, which I think is a more fitting name for this area |
|
|
White Rock
Canada
47 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:22 PM
|
Great TR. The list keeps getting longer.
----------------------------------------
Onwards and Upwards
The air is clearer at the top |
|
|
31 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2005 : 11:40 PM
|
WOW, nice photos Shadee, Specially the spider web one. I love that photo.
--Nader |
|
|
|
map hatin', coffee perc totin', garbage collectin', backpacking, action hero wannabe, who loves to hide out in Garibaldi park and will have his scouts sing if you keep him awake at night
2479 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 07:14 AM
|
I'm pretty sure this hike was not on "The Approved List" nor was it on an "Approved Weekend". Why do people keep doing things on weekends when I'm busy?
Shadee and Jimbo,
Glad you guys hade a good time this weekend, wish I could've been with you...grrr.
----------------------------------------
"GenX, eh? Sorry, but I was lazy and anti-social long before Copeland made it cool." |
|
|
|
challenge seeker, bagless sleeper, bare bones, trail trooper
Abbotsford, BC
Canada
1957 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 07:21 AM
|
| Very nice |
|
|
|
Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3620 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 08:22 AM
|
Way Cool TR and pics, you guys...
Thanks for sharing...
C'Jack...
----------------------------------------
...hang on, I'm coming... |
|
|
summerland, bc
Canada
653 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 09:23 AM
|
| nice , I did this one last year and it rained the whole trip its good to see what we missed because of the fog , |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Must be somethin' in the punch - (may 27, 28)
