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 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 - 06/25/2006 : 7:57 PM
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Well, with the nice weather holding out and me with (yet another) day off, I decided to try my hand at Cheam.
It's been 2 years since we last visited the place(although I've been to the meadow a few times since), and it is one of my favourite destinations in the lower mainland. What a difference two weeks can make up here. I wasn't even able to make it to the parking lot, but now, ALL of the snow is off the road...but the road is suffering the effects of all the traffic!
Nonetheless, I continue onwards, anticipating the rewards that await me. I just love strolling through Spoon Valley and seeing all the heather and wildflowers everywhere...it's beautiful!
First thing to note is that the barricade is STILL in place and seems to be keeping the nutbars out of the meadow - kudos to BG and Gang!
I make my way along the old logging road...admiring the blue sky, the bands of green along Lady, the wildflowers. I just know that Spoon Valley is going to be awash with lavender, heather and avalanche lilies...
The barricade just at the beginning of the meadow is still in place as well - Good!
I enter the meadow and what do I see?
SNOW! Lots and lots of SNOW!
It is at least a six foot drop DOWN to the bridge...
There is snow everywhere! In the distance, I can make out some avalanche chutes...debris and dirt! Looks as though I'm STILL too early!
Since the trail is non-existent through the meadow, I simply pick an avalanche chute and make my way up towards the hillside, where the trail can be seen. Once out of the snow, the avalanche-lilies are in full bloom along the hillside.
The trail disappears into the trees and emerges into another snowfield! Most of the route is a sidehill slide along the snowpack. Good thing I put on some sunscreen, because the reflection off the snow is grilling the side of my face like a Whopper!
After what seems like an eternity, I make the col. Last time, it only took us about 45min from Spoon Lake to here. With all the snow, it feels as though you take 2 steps forward and slide back 1!
I already knew that I wouldn't have enough time to summit, but that's OK...been there! I wanted to visit the viewpoint on the northeast side of the col.
Foolishly, I crossed the snowpack and walked out to the edge to see how far down it went.
I couldn't see the bottom-edge of the cornice...which told me that it was undercut.
I took a dozen light, but rapid steps backwards onto solid ground!
A pano of the face of Lady.
The view of Jones lake is better here than from the summit, IMHO.
Another pano looking down into the valley. I guess I could stitch the two of these together, eh?
Self-portrait...
Here's a shot of where I had been standing earlier...you can see that the leading edge is undercut. It probably COULD have supported me, but it's a long way down and I wouldn't want to be a bother to anyone on such a nice day!
Heading back, I took this shot of Baker and others...
This is what the trail looks like coming down...or going up if you face the other way! You can see that it is off-camber and slick, but this wasn't enough to keep the crowds away. Must have been fifty people up there today!
A pano of Spoon Valley, taken on the way down. You can see evidence of some avalanches, to the right.
When I get back to the parking lot, my ride is still there and still in one piece...always a bonus! 
Yes, indeed it was a beautiful day for a hike. Pity that the trail was still so covered in snow. There is nothing more picturesque than Spoon Valley in full bloom.
My next free days will be two weeks from now...maybe I'll plan a return visit.
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...face piles of trials with smiles. It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave.
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881 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2006 : 8:03 PM
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| That's pretty cool.Great self portrait! |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13594 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2006 : 8:53 PM
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The Shadow.
Pretty amazing how late the snow is hanging on, I think last year in the first weekend of July Spoon Valley was rife with swathes of blooms, and the scars of those ATV's. Last year made the summit but never got any view, I want to do this one again as it was first up that away.
And yes kudos to BG and the Gang. Glad that barricade is still doing its job.
Regards,
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2006 : 9:48 PM
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Glad to know that the barricades are both still up. Especially the one just before the meadows, I was wondering how it would fare in the snow this year.
Looks like there's still a fair bit of glissading to be had down the south slope yet! |
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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 - 06/25/2006 : 11:17 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by exscape
Glad to know that the barricades are both still up. Especially the one just before the meadows, I was wondering how it would fare in the snow this year.
Funny thing about that...on my way down, I stopped to offer assistance to a couple of dirt bikers.
One of them was complaining about how they couldn't access the trail anymore "ever since they dropped the tree across it"...
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...face piles of trials with smiles. It riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave.
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2006 : 11:22 PM
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Yeesh.  |
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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 - 06/26/2006 : 08:35 AM
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Lot's of snow up there yet  ! Thanks for the T/R and update on the barricade. |
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A BRIEF afternoon on Cheam.
