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Topic |
Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 6:37 PM
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I began hiking the Stein in 2008. We made it from the trailhead at Lizzie Creek, to the lake, up to the cabin and over to Calthas lake. Beyond that is unknown territory for me. I'm planning our big excursion this year and was looking for any GPS data in regards to the divide and the surrounding lakes - Figure Eight, Tundra, Stein, Elta and over to Snake Falls.
I have both copies of Gordon White's guide but would feel a little more secure if I had waypoints on the GPS in addition to the map and compass. Is there anything available?
Also, with the fires last year and the dry spell in 08, does anyone know the condition of the snow packs? I'm guessing the chimney at Lizzie Cabin is also still blocked. How are the trails in the divide? I'm guessing pretty dismal given the fires and lack of visitors.
Any information would be great! |
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Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
1773 Posts |
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 6:49 PM
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| Thanks, I checked that out earlier and it seems things are similar to what they were in 08 other than the fires last year. I'm excited looking at all of the photos! Thanks for the link though. |
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
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 Trail cuttin, GPS packin bushwhacker, wiki hike compilin, who is now Hope-less
2546 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 8:06 PM
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I have data for the approach up to the divide itself - Road, Lizzie Creek Cabin, Arrowhead Lake, Heart Lake, and to Cherry Pip Pass. Nothing past that point. One small exploratory track to Long Lake, but I didn't finish the trail network there. I have a LOT of data on the Lower Canyon (including side trails) from the Lytton trailhead to the Cottonwood junction.
Not sure on the cabin, I want to do a little CT expedition to work on it (any takers?).
The approach road is usually filled with alder, but honestly it *looks* worse than it is. There's one creek crossing on the road, we had to wade across. Much of the divide is above tree line and I think the fires were further to the east - you might run into them closer to Stein Lake/etc. I don't think anyone has been up there since early last summer. Although one or two people on CT were interested in "hiking through the forest fire, it can't be that bad". Let me know if you find any bones  |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1325 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2010 : 8:28 PM
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| I think the VOC was planning on doing some work on the cabin this summer. Some people seemed concerned about a cracked beam and that the ceiling might collapse. I'm not sure that the crack is particularly new though. |
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Langley
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2010 : 09:00 AM
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| Shadowchaser, I might be interested in going up to work on the cabin, I loved that area. I'm in langley as well. What kinda supplies are you thinkin of packing in?? Other than the washout bypass and the creek crossing do you think a bicycle and a B.O.B. would work for getting things up to Lizzie Lake?? Last I was on the trail was 07 and I remember the bypass being a little sketch for hauling a bike along, although it seemed doable. |
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Trail cuttin, GPS packin bushwhacker, wiki hike compilin, who is now Hope-less
2546 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2010 : 12:03 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by mephisto
Shadowchaser, I might be interested in going up to work on the cabin, I loved that area. I'm in langley as well. What kinda supplies are you thinkin of packing in?? Other than the washout bypass and the creek crossing do you think a bicycle and a B.O.B. would work for getting things up to Lizzie Lake?? Last I was on the trail was 07 and I remember the bypass being a little sketch for hauling a bike along, although it seemed doable.
Not sure yet - I definitely wanted to do some grounds cleanup and pack out all of the garbage. Last time I got two full garbage bags full. Also wanted to start working on a map of the area (all the trails, peaks) and print out a laminated copy for the cabin. Any idea when the VOC will be up there? |
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2010 : 4:01 PM
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| Shadowchaser, when were you thinking of heading up? I'd love to pitch in. I'm a big fan of the area! |
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Trail cuttin, GPS packin bushwhacker, wiki hike compilin, who is now Hope-less
2546 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2010 : 7:18 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Leith1812
Shadowchaser, when were you thinking of heading up? I'd love to pitch in. I'm a big fan of the area!
Not sure yet! Probably July or August - I also want to explore some of the Texas Creek area :D |
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Whistler, BC
Canada
1204 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2010 : 7:45 PM
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quote:
Some people seemed concerned about a cracked beam and that the ceiling might collapse.
After this winter's snowpack, it should be very clear if the roof is still tough enough or not... |
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2010 : 11:21 AM
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| One last question, does anyone recall what size the bow saws at the cabin are? 24 or 30 inches. I'm guessing 30! |
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Trail cuttin, GPS packin bushwhacker, wiki hike compilin, who is now Hope-less
2546 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2010 : 11:47 AM
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When I was there last (2 years ago?) I made the following list of things that were needed for the cabin:
* Filaments for lanterns
* New spare propane canister for propane lantern (small Coleman camping type)
* Cover for smoke stack/pipe (missing a cover and can get clogged)
* Secure, waterproof, metal box for journals
Like I mentioned earlier, I'd love to do a laminated map. Does anyone have any GPS tracks for the area they can donate? I have some, but I'm missing portions of the area and it's scrambles. |
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vancouver, bc
Canada
100 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 8:01 PM
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I hiked the stein from lizzie to lilloet years ago. i went via figure eight lakes. i'm not sure why you feel you need gps waypoints though. I admit the trail to figure eight lakes beyond caltha llake is confusing, but there were cairns, probably still standing. Other than that, it's really a matter of feeling your way through. It's all alpine territory, so it's kinda hard to get lost. You might take a few minutes longer, but you will find your way, and you'll feel like a real explorer doing that.
The hardest part was in the eastern half, after stein lake, because much of the trail was obliterated by blowdown. That made route finding very hard and time consuming. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
1325 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 8:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by msulkers
quote:
Some people seemed concerned about a cracked beam and that the ceiling might collapse.
After this winter's snowpack, it should be very clear if the roof is still tough enough or not...
Some VOCers who were in there this winter apparently spent a large amount of time shovelling the roof so they would not be afraid to sleep inside :)
I'll email them the link to this thread and they can post here to coordinate if they want or something... |
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2010 : 05:51 AM
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| GPS coordinates were for peace of mind for two of the four I travel with. Tech geeks who can't read a map and compass! I kinda figured the divide wasn't as difficult to orientate as some lead to believe. Thanks for the info! |
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677 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2010 : 08:36 AM
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| Navigation in the alpine is easy enough... But beware fog! That can change things in a hurry. Figure Eight Lake route is a bit trickier than the rest, still not bad. |
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North Vancouver
Canada
754 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2010 : 6:59 PM
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quote:
Leith1812 Posted - 06/08/2010 : 05:51 AM
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GPS coordinates were for peace of mind for two of the four I travel with. Tech geeks who can't read a map and compass! I kinda figured the divide wasn't as difficult to orientate as some lead to believe. Thanks for the info!
Famous last words!
I did the entire traverse during 4 days the end Aug/early Sept 2008. This is what it looked like for us in the alpine:
I am very good with a map and compass. The ITMB map is crap so I made my own map before leaving. We went light and fast. However, with whiteout conditions and fresh snow covering the trail, I was very glad to still have my gps along for the ride. There is obviously no cell reception back there so we also used the SPOT Messenger with good success.
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Edited by - NS Explorer on 06/08/2010 7:11 PM |
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vancouver, bc
Canada
100 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2010 : 12:08 AM
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On another trip to the same area, we made it figure eight lake in one day via cherry pip pass, (directly off the road to lizzie lake. The creek crossing was harrowing).
We went to sleep under clear skies, awoke at 5am to rain and later, deep, london-pea soup fog which persisted for the next three days. We were absolutely tent bound. Fog happens and GPS would not have helped a whit. |
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2010 : 07:26 AM
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Obviously I meant in ideal conditions! I expect whiteouts, sleet, rain, snow and plan accordingly, especially early in the season. The gps is there, two in fact, as well as topographic map and compass, PLB and sat phone. Give a mate some credit :) But, if those ARE my last words, I went our doing what I love!
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Regina, SK
Canada
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/19/2010 : 8:35 PM
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Just a quick note for travellers up to Lizzie lake. I was making a trip up last Thursday and was attacked by a cougar after the log crossing and shortly after the fork in the road. I surprised her and she me! I cleared most of the over growth with the machete to that point. I was carrying nails, screws, wood glue, a tarp and replacement blades for the bow saw, so I didn't do as thorough a job as I would have liked. The trail took a good hit from spring runoff.
About the cougar. She got one good swipe and took off when I tossed my pack at her. I cleaned the wound, wrapped it up, and high tailed it back to the trail head. Got checked over in kamloops and made my way back to Regina that night. The trail is seeing heavy animal use! Fresh scat galore. Hopefully I'll get those supplies in next month after my ego and wounds have healed a bit :) Happy trails! |
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Topic |
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Condition of the Stein Divide?
