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Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 2:18 PM
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Hi all,
Wondering about the route to Elsay Lake cabin, I've read a few threads here, but most of them are outdated. How well is the trail marked? Good/Bad/Exceptional route finding skills needed? Also, how busy is the hut wid-week? Any info is appreciated!
BC Tripper
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~One second of freedom is worth a lifetime of bondage~ |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2659 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 3:12 PM
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It's not a technical trail but you'll get a good full-body working over.
I haven't been this year but last year the trail was reasonable to follow. I had to do a few double takes but I think I am a reasonably good navigator. I didn't screw around though and bought a NS trails map for the journey. If you are used to relying on heavy foot bed and flagging tape, then no, it is not well marked. |
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 Best grilled cheese maker ever
Whitehorse, YUKON
Canada
2141 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 3:14 PM
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If you want a big time work-out, you can take the route to Mt. Bishop all along the ridge to Vicar Lakes, then drop down to the cabin from the Vicar Lakes.
But expect a looooong day. |
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Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 3:29 PM
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Not really into getting "worked over" as such, but don't mind a work out. As for flagging tape, I don't really need it, but I am used to trail markers. Is it more of a "partner-required" route? Do-able for a medium sized dog?
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~One second of freedom is worth a lifetime of bondage~ |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2659 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 3:58 PM
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| Hmm, have you been to Hanes Valley? Think travelling down Hanes Valley, camping at Lynn Creek, then hiking back up Hanes Valley, but not as well marked. That's the closest comparison I can think of. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2659 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 4:05 PM
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| ...oh, with overnight pack and you might run into simonc or greenhorn, but I wouldn't count on there being much traffic there mid week. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13015 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 8:46 PM
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| Hike in Van's description is pretty apt. It's a reasonably well marked route with a good footbed , flagging tape, cairns, some markers also used. Choose a good clear day, the hut shouldn't be too busy, I don't think |
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Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 9:12 PM
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I've never done the Hanes Valley route, but how is it compared to say 3rd peak on seymour? Thanks all for the great info 
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~One second of freedom is worth a lifetime of bondage~ |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13015 Posts |
Posted - 08/16/2006 : 10:27 PM
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| Well, you climb to the junction, then descend into the valley, where you'll have ups and downs to the lake. The grunt comes on the way out where you'll work your way out of the valley and then up Wes's Staircase back up to the junction. 103 Hikes has a decent description of the route... |
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Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2006 : 10:46 AM
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Thanks mick, I'll run across to the library and photostat that portion.
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~One second of freedom is worth a lifetime of bondage~ |
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Vancouver
11 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2006 : 4:17 PM
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We did an overnighter there last year with an older husky cross. A couple of times on some bushy old rockslides we had to help him out - some big rocks to clamber over. The trail was easy to follow.
The first time I hiked the trail (circa '91) we were moving quietly through the foggy forest and surprised a mother bear & 2 cubs. The mom took off into the salmonberries but the cubs scampered up a tree right on the trail. We retreated, made lots of noise and waited.
Eventually we made our way back. We rounded the corner, peered thru the shifting fog, saw the tree and thought the bears were gone. We picked up our step and headed thru. Then right as we were going under the tree my eye caught some movement in the tree. The cubs were still there! Only they were much lower in the tree. As we stepped over the tree roots, I could have almost reached up and swatted their paws hanging over the thick branch. They didn't make a sound and we never hiked faster than over the scree slope beyond.
Here's a few pics from our trip last year. The last one is a funny entry from the log in the cabin.     |
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Vancouver, B.C.
Canada
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2006 : 4:33 PM
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Lol @ that journal entry. 
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~One second of freedom is worth a lifetime of bondage~ |
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Elsay Lake
