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12 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2006 : 9:33 PM
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Hey everyone,
Planning a trip next week in Forbidden, wondering what conditions up there are like now (Albert E, Circlet, McKenzie Lake, Castle Crag, Lake Beautiful)?? My mom suggested that I start from the old ski area, she says it’s a good trail...but that was 20+ years ago. How is the trail now?
Thanks,
Gavin
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Vancouver Island
Canada
44 Posts |
Posted - 07/19/2006 : 10:26 PM
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I'm sure there is still quite a bit of snow up in the high hills. It is patchy, but still snow. The old ski area (old Forbidden Plateau Lodge) has a trail that leads into the areas you are speaking of. You go via McKenzie Lake passing Mt. Beecher and going via Drabble Lakes/Mt. Drabble on the way. If you are wanting to go to Albert E and Circlet Lake it is more direct from Mt. Washington. The trails are all visible and well trodden. If there is snow, and you can't see the trail, I don't think they are flagged. On a clear day, Albert E is easy to see once up on the ridge.
Happy Hiking! |
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91 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2006 : 11:20 AM
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if your trying to get to Albert E, Circlet, Castle Crag, Lake Beautiful I would go from mt. washington its faster (much better trail and closer, less up hill) Snow shouldn't be a problem at the lakes, but Albert will have lots of snow. its and easy hike.The ski web cam dosen't show too much snow
http://www.mountwashington.ca/conditions/snowcam.cfm
For forbidden ski area hike up the old ski runs, the becher trail starts near the upper T-bar. There are no signs or trail maps at the forbbiden parking as everbody now uses the mt. washington trails. I think there is a $5/person/night fee.
Bring a trail map, some people just had to get rescued from the area.
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35 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2006 : 11:22 AM
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Hi
I was up Albert Edward & Augerpoint traverse the weekend before last & there is patchy snow beginning just below Lake Helen MacKenzie. The trail is easy to find even where it is covered in snow as there is a lot of traffic in the area. The snow is soft & melting fast but easy to walk on with regular hiking boots. Gaitors would be handy to keep the slush out. Helen MacKenzie is completely melted with snow in places around the edges. Climbing up from Helen MacKenzie to the ranger hut & the snow cover is more continuous but still easy to find the trail. Circlet Lake is still frozen but not enough to walk on any more. The campsite pads were still buried 10 days ago but the outhouse is in use & stocked with paper etc. There is snow all the way up Albert Edward except for the final rise to the summit which is completely bare. No worries about climbing up there or the route - there are tracks everywhere & no technical equipment is needed. Our trip photo's are at the website below.
Cheers
Lee
http://chansen.web.cern.ch/chansen/AMERICA/CANADA/Edward/index.html
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Comox, BC
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2006 : 09:34 AM
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| I am taking my son from the forbidden ski hill thru to Buttle Lake (Augerpoint travers)last week of August. I am looking for info on the cabins on route, behind Becher, and Sid's. can someone help me narrow down their locations? e-mail to gullys@telus.net. It's a yearly outing I have done with my son since he was 5 ( he's 13 now) so far we've been on Juan de fuca trail, Kwai, Albert Ed summit, Cape Scott, Sayward canoe route. every year he gets a little more in his pack, and I get a little less! :-) Any info appreciated. |
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91 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2006 : 8:24 PM
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I was in the area july 27. their used to be a cabin by Becher, but I think its long gone. I haven't been to sids in years but the old "hiking trails" book shows the location. I'll post a map later.
there is zero snow to Circlet. I imagine there will be many snow patches on Albert Ed. No bi deal its just snow! |
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Comox, BC
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2006 : 07:53 AM
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| thanks to those who replied, I'm stoked for next week. I found this excellent resource, if you haven't checked it out b4. http://islandhikes.com/Hikes/washnbutt/washnbuttmap.html It sounds like the trail is a little tricky to find from the augerpoint/ Jack's saddle? Hopefully I will be patient enough to get on the trail b4 starting downhill to Buttle. |
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Comox, BC
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2006 : 12:19 PM
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| back from the traverse, trip was terrific. some blow downs thruout, but nothing serious. the section from Wood Mtn Park to the "core area" is definately under utilized and under maintained consequently. The campsite @ Mackenzie/douglas Lake was terrific. trail was tricky to find in a few spots, but patience and willingness to backtrack a little to look again served well. |
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Nanaimo, BC
Canada
82 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2006 : 7:40 PM
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Hi JK,
Sounds like you had a good trip. That section from Kwai Lake to Wood Mtn Park seems to be maintained on a sporatic basis. I hiked it several years ago and encountered a lot of snow patches and blowdowns. It was quite a workout and, as you mentioned, easy to lose the trail. Then did the same hike a couple of years later and found the trail completely clear. Maybe they only maintain it when they have a bit of extra money. 
Cheers. |
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Victoria, BC
Canada
147 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2006 : 6:55 PM
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Good to hear you enjoyed it. I was camping on Mt. Becher this weekend and was remeniscing about the route you just hiked. When I passed the junction I remembered my promise to pack an axe the next time I go that way so I can clear some blowdown. This because I am learning that "them" is US when it comes to trail maintenance.
How did you like the elevation you gain right off the start? Nothing like hiking up an old ski run with a big pack to get the heart rate up.
My long-lasting impression of that route is when I hit the junction with the "core area" trails near Crouteau Lake. It looked like I had just missed a cattle drive. The difference in traffic-caused-erosion was amazing. |
Edited by - mmmMike on 09/05/2006 6:56 PM |
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Coquitlam, British Columbia
Canada
1727 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2006 : 06:50 AM
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| Sorry but i've got to ask, why is it called the forbidden plateau? |
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vancouver island, b.c.
Canada
403 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2006 : 6:02 PM
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The name goes way back to early native folklore about giant beings who live up there and will eat those who venture up.Watch your back!
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wrench turnin',beer lovin',twistin',bike crashin',money blowin',lesson learnin'backcountry,off trail lovin'island type of lovable fool,at least my mother loves me. |
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It's not a city yet!!, BC
Canada
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2007 : 10:18 PM
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| Hundreds of years ago, two feuding tribes went up to the plateau to work out their differences, peacefully everyone thought. No one knows exactly what happened next but it seems that one tribe “fell” off the side of the mountain. That gruesome event sort of made the plateau taboo for the tribe that didn’t “fall.” From that point on, the tribe elders forbade anyone in the tribe to visit the plateau—hence the name. But that’s not the weirdest part of the story. Each spring the trees in the area shed a gray/green moss from their branches. When the moss hits the snow it reacts, turning the snow a light shade of pink. Legend-spinners say this is the blood of the ancient warriors who clumsily “fell” off the plateau. |
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Forbidden Plateau
