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Chilliwack, BC
561 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 7:09 PM
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After being hike-less for approx 6 weeks I eased back with a couple of easy hikes but felt it was time to do something a bit longer with a good climb, I picked Bear Mountain in Harrison. At first I was just going to visit Bear Lake, I'd always by-passed the turn for the lake in favour of the lookout. Had a late start and arrived at the TH a bit before 11:00am. It's located approx half way between the sharp left turn that starts you up the right hand side of Harrison Lake and Sasquatch Park. There are numerous driveways but you'll recognize the entrance as it's quite wide, on the right -
About half way up the entrance way and the gate there's a sign, almost hidden by the brush stating "0 Km's of 10 to the lookout" and another sign just before the gate- A few years ago when it was first put up and the gate was locked (room to walk around)I phoned the number on the sign to see if it was ok to hike through there and was told it was fine but not to go into the mine shaft.
  
Just a few mins up the road there's the old mining shack where they sorted the core samples, there are thousands of them still there. Vandals have made a real mess of the place.
  
Just 2 mins farther up the road there's a wide spot with some of the old tailings, and another road cuts up to the left (if memory serves me correct this road will circle around and eventually join up with the main route which is straight ahead.) If you turn to your left at this spot and with a very short and minor bush whack head for the cliff face you'll come to the partialy covered mine entrance.
  
Nice waterfall on the way up, a new foot bridge over a washout and...bear skat! I have never ever seen a bear or any sign of one before on Bear Mtn lol-
   
Approx around 5 km's the view will start to open up of Harrison Lake and the mountains to the north and north-east-
 
There's a new rock slide but it's easy to get by-shortly after I see the 6km sign-only 6km?,I had worked a sweat up by now and it felt like 600 lol, but after a few hundred huffs and puffs, finaly, the turn off for the lake-
  
I'd never checked it out before as someone had told me (they were wrong)the lake was a couple of km's down the trail and whenever there I didnt think I had time for the extra 4 km's. Just two mins later I came to a wide spot and saw a trail off to my left-15 secs later there's the lake, I'd been led to believe it was just an overgrown pond but it's really beautiful-
 
I returned to the wide spot to see if the trail continued along the lake, after crossing a large snow bank(and post holing) the trail continued and along the way I found a well maintained and clean outhouse that any of the ladies that would prefere the comforts of home would delight in   . Just a few more mins and the trail ended at the other end of the lake-
 
Heading for the lookout after the lake,in spots, it turned muddy, snow covered and a tangle of bent Alder, it was encouraging to see the 7km marker and then the 8km- only 2 km to go-
     
Finally the trail turned down into the forest, it's really nice through there and before I knew it- the 10 km marker, it was 3:45 and I decided to stay 15 mins which turned into 30 mins because I didnt want to leave. It was a bit hazy so the pics are not that good but if you want a medium grind to some beautiful views of the mountains and the valley it's a great place to go-
      
It was nice heading down with the sun dappling through the tree's, a real peacfull feeling. On the way I met this guy, about three feet long-
 
I left the lookout at 4:15 and was back at my truck by 6:35, a bit tired but very hungry- by 6:55 I was in the Old Settler sipping on my first Rickards Red, by 7:30, after 2 pints and a very large burger and fries I was heading home- what a great day.
I hope yours was great too, take care but have fun, Ed |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1762 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 7:18 PM
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| Snake snake ahhh a snake. That's a big garter! Nice TR, looks like a nice, mostly snowfree day. Good pictures- I enjoyed the mine related ones. |
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 Peak bagging, bushwhacking, zamboni driving, snowshoeing, self portrait artist, and speed demon who loves to hang out on Mt. Seymour
3994 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 7:30 PM
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We were checking out an old mine entrance above the golf course on Kruger Mtn. in Osoyoos this past weekend. This one had fresh concrete and heavily re-inforced angle iron blocking the entrance. I always find it interesting to come across bit's of history whilst out hiking.
I postholed this hike a number of years ago which made it not very enjoyable, but the views were nice at least. The lake looks pretty nice.
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canine loving, machete-toting bushwhacking lake seeker, Indiana Jones hat-wearing off-road 4x4 guru
Surrey Hole, BC
Canada
6768 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 7:45 PM
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One of the best Bear Mnt T/R's  |
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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
4908 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 7:53 PM
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Well done Ed.
I am adding this one to my To-do list since most of the roads to the T/H's around here are ruined!
I'm going to book mark this one for reference, later . |
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1355 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 8:13 PM
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Thanks for the report, Ed
It's a really nice area to visit. Beautiful views from the top. |
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Fungi Filmin', Wine Drinkin', 'Shroom Eatin', Early Risin', Deer Whisperin', Curry Cookin', Macro Maniac
Chilliwack + Osoyoos
3618 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 8:26 PM
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Great T/R...
Gotta get up there one day soon !!!
C'Jack... |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5887 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 8:58 PM
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Good one Eddiebear! I'm glad you had a great day out |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 9:48 PM
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Great outing! Maybe getting me ready for my outing and first rattlesnake encounter this weekend? Hope I don't see any!!
Great TR! Nice destination. Cool stuff. Nice reward after the hike, too |
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 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
625 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 08:23 AM
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Very nice, Ed. I haven't been up there in over ten years, forgot how long that trail was. Great pics of the lake and mountain views! What's the deal with the snakes? I've seen a couple of these Python sized guys lately too. I can't recall seeing snakes this fat and long in our area.
Stu |
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Chilliwack, BC
561 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 3:54 PM
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Thanks for all the great comments everyone .
Simon- I dont know too much about the mine but I did talk to one of the locals a couple of years ago and he told the shaft goes straight in for 300ft and they took out a hugh chunk of rock for testing. There's something red that shows up on the left hand side when the flash goes off, I'd like to take a powerfull flashlight one day and see if it's just rock or a piece of old machinery.
Jerry- I sure hope you dont meet any rattlers.
Stu- I know what you mean about the snakes, someone ran one over on Chilliwack Lake road last week, it looked at least three feet long and bigger then usual.
Thanks again everyone, Take care but have fun, Ed |
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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
13440 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 8:50 PM
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Nice one Ed. This one is on my to do list.
K |
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Chilliwack
1267 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 10:33 PM
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| Great report and pictures! Still on my to do list! |
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| DW2
Senior Member
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West Coast, B.C.
1395 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 08:54 AM
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| We were up there about 3 weeks ago, and hit snow before reaching the lake turn off. We didn't quite make it all the way due to snow conditions and all the alder across the trail. |
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Bear Mtn Lake and Lookout 25 May 09
