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Mallorca
508 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 8:12 PM
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We camped at Birkenhead Lake on saturday night for its last open night of the season, some of the lanes were closed due to intense bear activity around the creeks. Sunday morning we drove for what seemed like forever to Van Horlick Creek Bridge and from there on the very bushy and narrow gravel road, scratching both sides of our car along the way to a clearance and walked for 45 minutes to the trail head to avoid more yyyeeeeeeeezzzzz (sound of bushes against the car)
We walked on mud and treacherous roots for 1h 35min to the small lake at the foot of Matier Glacier, had lunch then it got very chilly and decided to head down. Took us about an hour to the trail head and a bear encounter on the way to the car. Nothing serious but it gave the day the extra edge of adrenaline.
On our way back to Vancouver, past Whistler another bear was beside the road filling up on berries and causing trafic disruptions as people stoped and stared. Like us!
Definitely a place to go back in winter time when it surely will be more spectacular and with the upside of being a very short hike, long drive though!!
Beautiful upcoming fall colors,
group photo minus B,
lots of mushrooms....yummmmy. I'm not sure about this one though!
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Edited by - PiB on 09/19/2005 8:30 PM
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 canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6867 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 8:38 PM
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Cool,still lots of bears showing off eh?
Does Birkenhead campground actually shut down entirely? for the season.or can one still have access without having to deal with a gate and such? |
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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 - 09/19/2005 : 8:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Aqua Terra
Cool,still lots of bears showing off eh?
Does Birkenhead campground actually shut down entirely? for the season.or can one still have access without having to deal with a gate and such?
It's not plowed. You'd have to walk in from the road, and endure the noise of snowmobiles on the way. They zip in and out of the park to fish in the lake. |
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Mallorca
508 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 9:04 PM
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| We were told that you can park at the day use area and camp wherever you want but as blackfly said there is no road maintenance. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
388 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 9:15 PM
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| IMO it is easier to hike to Cerise Creek area from the highway, without driving on that terrible logging road. There are two more creek crossings, one with a good bridge, the other one - with a couple of large logs across, and about 150m worth of elevation gain to the 'real' trailhead. |
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6867 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 9:49 PM
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| Hmm Ok campground closed now..but snow that is impassable would not start for a bit?? i have only ben there once,so I dont know the weather or usual no drive conditions.. |
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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 - 09/19/2005 : 9:54 PM
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Well you could go there now, but the gate might be locked and there might even be some park worker stopping in every day to see if anyone is there. Go anyway and if they show up then just fork up the $$.
PiB, how crowded was it? |
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Mallorca
508 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2005 : 9:59 PM
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Blackfly, there were 3 to 4 parties and overall it looked quite deserted. Nice and quiet...
EugeneK, we saw the small trail you mention but we didn't venture as we didn't know that trail, we were following 103 hikes. Those bushes need a good trim!! |
Edited by - PiB on 09/19/2005 10:06 PM |
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193 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2005 : 6:36 PM
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| You can now park on the Duffy Lake Road and hike up to Cerise Creek using the Winter Route. |
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prince george, bc
Canada
226 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2005 : 10:18 AM
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funny, myself and hikingguy were camping at birkenhead on thursday night, in between trips to wedge and joffre. out of 94 camp sites, there were two other parties. had a close encounter with a sow and 3 cubs heading right towards our campsite! saw the cubs climbing all over the barricades closing off some of the sites! pretty funny. first time at birkenhead, really beautiful spot.
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"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1013 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2005 : 11:29 AM
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You finally got to see your bear eh Paula  !!
Sounds like a beautiful area to explore, glad you got up there. |
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chinese hot-pot gourmand, costco pirate, 103 hikes completin', picture postin', commander of our newest canadian trekkers
Vancouver, BC
Canada
1740 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2005 : 7:22 PM
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PiB, thank you for sharing nice pics and TR
Does anyone know the easiest driving route into Cerise Creek. What are the current road condittions and how long does it takeĀH
Thank you for any suggestion you might give! |
Edited by - mazeGirl on 09/22/2005 7:47 PM |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 09/23/2005 : 12:58 AM
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Never encountered a bear. That WOULD be a rush! Did come across three coyotes, though. Really acted funny! the first two scooted on by after looking at me with their heads down. Then, the third one came out looked at me and did a twisty dance by spinning around on all fours and ended up on hind legs, spinning. Then darted off after the other two... super strange... I think if I came across a bear, I would freak out! Nice pictures. 
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May your trails be crooked, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views ! Edward Abbey |
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loooong drive to Cerise Creek
