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New Westminster, BC
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 10:49 AM
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We got to the forest service road at around 08:30 to find that the gate alowind access to the forest service road and quarry was locked. looking at the map there was about 6km to get to the trail head proper.
Eventually we got to the trail head after Beth Creek and started the steep accent up the side of the mountain to the left hand side of the creek. After about 1 hour of up hill and after hurdling over the most dead fall i have ever seen on a marked trail we eventually got to Beth Lake. The snow started at this point.
After gingerly crossing the snow/log bridge over Beth Creek neer the lake we carried on. Once again the tail went sharply up, initially on solid ground but after around 30 mins it was contant solid snow. Thankfully the snow was solid enough to support our weight as we did not have snow shoes, only axe and crampons.
Once we got to a ridge the views really started to open up. Fantastic view of the Sky Piolt group and the Tantalus Range. As soon as we got out of the trees the temperature increased dramatically and the snow was softening.
 
Walking along a ridge line we dropped down into a bowl that gave the impression that it would be full of scree if there was no snow. On top of some of the bolders was still 1 1/2 meters of snow there. A long, slow accent was made to the top of the bowl. We really worked hard to get up to the ridge with the heat beating down.
After a rest at the top we made our own way traversing the ridge line and back into the coolness of the trees. We had lost the markers and we knew our general direction so carried on. As we turned the corner and eventually got out of the trees and back into the heat we were greeted with stunning views of the Lions, Mt Harvey and i think Crown/Grouse. You could also see across Howe Sound.
 
As we passed around small terquiose lakes Capilano Mt appeared infront of us. At this point the snow had changed and was very slushy and post holeing extream commensed. This became a concern as we did not want to break something. You could not got more than 30 meters without going up to your mid thigh at least in snow (is this isothermic snow?).
With the post holeing, inrcreasingly slushy snow, saftey and time in mind we had begrudgingly had lunch on the false summit. Although we were disapointed that we did not get to the summit the stunning views made up it.
 
After lunch we retraced our tracks back down. By the time we got to the bowl our foot prints had aleady melted away.
With soaked feet the long, boring trek back to the gate seemed like an eternity, but the views and the adventure that we just had made it well worth while.
We shall return to compleate Mt Capilano later in the year and cant wait! |
Edited by - theelasticman on 06/03/2009 3:13 PM
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Squamish
Canada
147 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 11:06 AM
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Was the gate locked where the gravel road starts at the pavement in furry creek? I didn't think they were locking that gate anymore?
dan |
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207 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 11:41 AM
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| You did very well considering the conditions. Cap's a full day even when snow-free. The bowl you crossed before climbing to the main ridge is a boulder-field in summer and quite tricky. Under snow, there's a good chance of finding your foot going deep into one of the cracks. |
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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
13441 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 12:50 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by theelasticman.....With soaked feet the long, boring trek back to the gate seemed like an eternity, but the views and the adventure that we just had made it well worth while.
We shall return to compleate Mt Capilano later in the year and cant wait!
I know the feeling too well. Great you made an impressive trip up to experience the terrain and enjoy the views.
Well done,
K |
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somewher in the never never., BC
Canada
134 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 3:19 PM
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| Well done! Was the gate locked. . .I'm stunned. its been open since September. That is a real shame!!!!! |
Edited by - stanmaman on 06/03/2009 5:07 PM |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
93 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 4:25 PM
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The road starting from the golf course area was open on Saturday.
Drove all the way to Cyrtina Creek. . .where we were stopped by a no-longer existing vehicle bridge.
Maybe possible to drive through the creek, but we didn't try.
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 4:53 PM
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quote:
corn_dog Posted - 06/03/2009 : 11:06:02 AM
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Was the gate locked where the gravel road starts at the pavement in furry creek? I didn't think they were locking that gate anymore?
yes it was.
here is the pic of the offending gate. we asked the guys down in the golf place if they knew of a key, unfortunately they did not. apparently its to do with quarry activity.
thanks for all your replys and comments!! |
Edited by - theelasticman on 06/03/2009 5:09 PM |
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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 - 06/03/2009 : 7:59 PM
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We were up there too on Saturday on route to Appian Mtn. I guess we got lucky with the gate. There were some 4x4 guys camping out on North Furry Main in the evening. Maybe now that more people are aware of the gate being open they're locking it again?
That's a long trip with the added road walk and too bad about the postholing. Usually, you can put the snowshoes away by the end of May, but with these high temps of late conditions seem to vary. |
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Squamish
Canada
147 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2009 : 8:45 PM
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That really suck about the gate. I was up there two weeks ago and was really excited that they seemed to be keeping the gate open. We came back through late in the evening and it wasn't locked.
dan |
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 | Dru
Mountain Grammar Police
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Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 09:01 AM
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quote:
Once again the tail went sharply up
That trail makes me put my tail up too.  |
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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
13018 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 3:08 PM
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Now it's a bike n' hike again! Viva endos |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
947 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 3:52 PM
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| Still impressive from starting at the locked gate, I found it to be a long day when I was able to drive up the road quite aways. |
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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
13018 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 7:46 PM
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| Bike and hike was 71/2 hours for Doug and I a few years back including my endo and we set a brisk (but not blisteringby any means) pace in August, I think it was |
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Tumbler Ridge, BC
Canada
391 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2009 : 11:31 PM
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| This is my favourite bike/hike trail. The satisfaction from being able to ride out the crappy logging road at the end of the day more than makes up for having to push your bike uphill tp start the day. Make sure you've got shocks, though. |
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Capilano Mt (almost) June 2 09
