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vancouver, bc
Canada
987 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2011 : 3:52 PM
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Something to add to this, know that despite the sometimes dismal road conditions. This is often a very busy, heavily used area. The hut is often full on any given weekend, the trails are very busy, and the easily accessed skiing can get tracked quickly. As is always the case if you're willing to go further you have the place to yourself, but know going in that this is one of the most heavily used backcountry areas in winter or summer.
I guess my point is that its sometimes better to find another area, especially if you feel like some tranquility. Midweek is usually much quieter as well. |
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Vancouver
1820 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2011 : 10:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by scottN
quote:
Originally posted by Steventy
quote:
Originally posted by kapow44
OK, having read all these posts (and plenty from other threads) I'm serious reconsidering attempting the DH road, even in a 4x4. The plan was to go up to the Elfin lakes cabin the first week of Jan.
So, as I've never been before I was wondering:
1) Is there anywhere I can SAFELY get to and legally overnight-park with a 2wd (with, or even better - without chains) and just walk the extra distance?
2) How much EXTRA time and effort would a snowshoe/skin up from this spot take? how many km?
Cheers!
The majority of people make it all the way up the road safely if they use the right equipment and drive carefully/skillfully. That said, after reading all these horror stories I couldn't blame you for deciding to not attempt it until you have seen it first hand. You'll probably say "it's not that bad" after you've seen it.
Your biggest concern on the first week of January may be finding enough room in the parking lot and the hut. Are you going on a weekend or holiday?
I haven't been up this winter so I hope someone can confirm the following:
- There is a lower parking area at the chain-up spot and overnight parking is allowed.
- It is about 2km in distance and 200m in elevation from that parking area to the normal parking lot. In other words, it's not a big deal to park there and walk up.
- As long as the road has been plowed, vehicles with winter tires can normally get to the lower parking area without chains.
1. Yes you can park overnight at the chain up area. The parking lot isn't as big as the main lot though.
2. Yes. When I've hiked this section it normally takes about 30 minutes.
3. Odds are better than 9 in 10 in my experience.
There are also two other parking lots between the chainup lot and the end of the road. |
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 double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2011 : 01:58 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by path finder
I've heard something about a trail that starts at the end of the road near the residential area and heads up to Paul Ridge. If that's the case, it should allow one to avoid the DHR calamity when conditions are really bad. Has anyone ever taken this trail, or does it even exist?
Yes, old maps indicate this trail. I walked up it about a dozen years ago and it was a route more than a trail even back then. The trail emerges into the meadows on the ridge, and one can orient themselves to the main Elfin trail from there.
Having said that, the trail was brushy in summer conditions and I would doubt one could even find it in the winter. |
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Vancouver
1820 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2011 : 5:12 PM
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There is an old trail that leaves the current route about 2km beyond the parking lot. The start of it has become quite obscure, but it's halfway up the steeper straight section just below the Howe Sound lookout. I think this is the one Vida mentioned. I haven't done it for a long time, and I think it's in bad shape.
I've also heard there is a newer trail starting from where the houses are. |
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Vancouver
1820 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2011 : 5:27 PM
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The road has become icy beyond the houses. Good to that point, watch out for logging trucks on the lower part of the road. There was an "off" on the ditch side today, and someone went off the downhill side in the last few days.
The world's ugliest snowperchild at the parking lot has mercifully melted. Watch for this one partway up the trail:
It looks like people on snowshoes are starting to try to stay off the ski tracks. Thanks!
Being able to use grip wax until the final climb got me to the Saddle in under three hours, just as clouds rolled in to spoil the downhill run. Suncrust on top with a few inches of damp powder underneath. Again today there was a temperature inversion.
Someone has left a nice Patagonia Men's medium fleece vest at Elfin Shelter.
Below Red Heather I met someone pushing a contraption up the trail. He sort of looked familiar. At the parking lot was this truck. So that must be the fellow who developed the Polepack. http://polepackhiking.com/ Sheesh, this thing seems dumb. You can't use poles with it, so skiing downhill must be interesting. Maybe he'll come out with a sidecar version.
There has been a lot of skiing since the last snowfall, but you can still find untracked places with a few inches of frosty powder on top of the solid base. There was enough rain to create Forbes Bands, which spoils it just a little. |
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521 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2011 : 5:54 PM
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quote:
I've also heard there is a newer trail starting from where the houses are.
So it may be in good condition then if that's true. Interesting. |
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double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 12/06/2011 : 7:49 PM
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The trail that I was referring to is past the LH turnoff to Garibaldi Park. Instead of turning onto the turnoff, stay on the main road with the houses. Cross a small bridge. Keep going for a bit. Park the car (there might be houses there now - it was 12 or so years ago remember), then head up on the trail. At first the trail follows the road, then starts switchbacking up, up, up.
Basically you are gaining on the trail, the elevation that you would climb on the 'logging road' part of the Elfin Lakes trail. But you miss the "up, around and over" on Round Mountain.
Eventually the trail thins, becomes more of a route, and you pop out into the meadow. It's an open area, and the usual visual reference points are around you to guide you to the EL trail. |
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Vancouver
1820 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 10:07 PM
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Thanks for the correction, Vida.
As of today, the Elfin Shelter has no heat. Probably exhausted by Xmas/New Year's partiers, and probably soon to be restored by Parks staff. Said partiers left lots of garbage and clothing. |
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Diamond Head Current Conditions
