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Surrey, BC
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 10:13 AM
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May 12, 2012
No. : )
After two reconn. trips up some of the very old and deteriorated Four Brothers Mt. FSR's this past winter, Katie and I thought this would be a good time to give the small lakes in the area an all out attempt.
Parked by the hydro powerhouse. This is the creek gully we turned around at last time. At that time it was partially snow covered and Katie refused to cross. From this point (700m) to the point where the road used to cross the lake outflow (800m) is the nastiest part of the trek. All of the roads are nasty, but especially this stretch. So many downed trees of all sizes to crawl over/under and loose footing. We generally stayed to the higher side of the roads, occassionally skirting off into the forest.
Beware, a lot of bear scat along these old roads, below snow line.
This is where the road used to cross the outflow from the lakes. Not an easy task crossing this either. Flowing pretty good too.
Patchy snow to this point, continuous snow once you cross. Much easier travel from then on.
The lower lake, at about 880m. As Elkaholic mentioned, you only see the tip of Cheam. No named peak and Lady too. I believe you can see Knight as well.
Took us 3:45 to get here.
Only 11:30, so we decide to give the upper lakes a try. At a little over 1000m, the road to the right will take you to the upper lakes. The views from the junction are outstanding, and we feel they won't be much better from the lakes, so we decide to keep going up and try for the pass between Four Brothers and the unnamed peak on the north side (foreground) of Cheam.
   
Upwards we go, with Lady Peak urging us on. : )
Views from the pass. : ) All road travel, so nothing too steep. A few bear and coyote tracks.
    
We continued on to roads end and went a few meters up the unnamed peak to find a view of the lakes and a good lunch spot.
 
We find a view of the upper lakes and top out at 1250m. Took us 5:30 to get here...and only a 1200m gain. A lot of work to get up here though.
Didn't use the snowshoes, micro-spikes or crampons.
Lunch time view. : )
As we head back down, we try not to think about the roads we have ahead of us. Felt strong going up, but I think the sudden heat was getting to us and we were both moving slow going down.
At the outflow crossing again. She looks a little undecided on which route to take. : )
Gets herself into a little bit of a 'pickle' and I need to go back and help her across. : )
About 3 hours of this ahead of us. : (
We were both exhausted and battered, long before reaching the car. First hike where I wished I had more than just ankle gaitors. You can call me a fool. : )
Just under 10 hours car to car.
Alway fun checking out a new and rarely visited place, and the views were fantastic, but we wouldn't do it again. We'll let Mr. B find an easier way up there. : )
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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
13598 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 12:34 PM
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Awesome John, great views, and beautiful photos of the peaks and the valley.
Always the best part is to check out a new trail, and a new area.
K |
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Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5378 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 3:39 PM
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Fool!
Been there with the battered shins. 
Glad you did it on a day with views! Maybe there will come a time again when you wake up and just feel like punishing yourself again...thankfully there are lots of options around for that. |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3839 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 4:43 PM
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That is a steep climb. I tried it from Jones Lake side and think it would be easier.
If I had more daylight and the weather was nicer I think I would have had a great trip.
I hate the way they used to deactivate roads like that.
My secret about up there is this picture.
Did you see any other track beside bear and coyote tracks? |
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Satirical photoshop junkie who frolics in the mountains of the Chilliwack River Valley
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
6944 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 8:39 PM
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I would concur that the Jones Lake side would be potentially easier, but either way it's a battle through thick 2nd growth forest and washed out roads. Good job though J&K  |
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Sunnyvale Trailer Park
Canada
1092 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 9:26 PM
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Doubt if many other hikers have been up that way in recent history, that's always worth something. Your spot's probably the best angle to look at Cheam, really shows off the North face.
Wonder what Wally's been tracking this time - Llamma, Alpaca? Those are my two guesses. |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3839 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2012 : 9:43 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Elkaholic
Doubt if many other hikers have been up that way in recent history, that's always worth something. Your spot's probably the best angle to look at Cheam, really shows off the North face.
Wonder what Wally's been tracking this time - Llamma, Alpaca? Those are my two guesses.
Moose droppings, found them on the road near the top of the peak between Four Brothers and Ludwig. |
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Chilliwack
Canada
313 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 3:59 PM
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| that's how my legs looked after elk falls miss the hair......still have bruises..... |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 5:17 PM
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Thanks everyone. : )
quote:
Originally posted by Wildman
That is a steep climb. I tried it from Jones Lake side and think it would be easier.
If I had more daylight and the weather was nicer I think I would have had a great trip.
I hate the way they used to deactivate roads like that.
My secret about up there is this picture.
Did you see any other track beside bear and coyote tracks?
We did see fresh deer tracks below snowline, and even had a close encounter with one. Big girl that went bounding down the forest. Amazing how long a stride they get when doing that.
quote:
Originally posted by yvonne
that's how my legs looked after elk falls miss the hair......still have bruises.....
I've seen your legs...much better looking than mine, with or without hair and bruises. : ) |
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372 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2012 : 5:27 PM
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| Your poor legs! |
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Chilliwack, BC
Canada
165 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 6:13 PM
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| Wow! I hate the look of the upper road! Did you cut through the forest at all? When I was attempting to reach the lakes, I was climbing up through the trees because the deadfall made travel on the roads so difficult. |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 6:30 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by devmar
Wow! I hate the look of the upper road! Did you cut through the forest at all? When I was attempting to reach the lakes, I was climbing up through the trees because the deadfall made travel on the roads so difficult.
Yes, that road from the creek at 700m to the creek crossing at 800m is nasty. We did cut through the forest a couple of times on the lower roads.
quote:
Originally posted by Wildman
I hate the way they used to deactivate roads like that.
Wildman, are you saying these roads look like this (sloping/deadfall) because of deactivation? I assumed it was just mother nature at work. |
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Popkum, BC
Canada
5902 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 6:32 PM
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Good job! I think I'll enjoy this route through your trip report  . |
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Surrey, BC
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2012 : 6:37 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Flowing-Brook
Good job! I think I'll enjoy this route through your trip report .
Thanks FB. Ya, don't follow my tracks...stick with Mr. B and he'll find you a better way. : )
Do you remember on the Mt. Isar hike when you asked me if I had lost weight? After this hike on Saturday, I had to punch a new hole in my work tool belt on Monday because it kept sliding down my arse. : ) |
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 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
641 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 8:27 PM
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| I really want to see those ponds, but I think from the North Cheam Approach. |
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Trail blazin', backcountry bushwackin', pine huntin', photo takin', long winded story teller
3839 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2012 : 9:49 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by John and Katie
Wildman, are you saying these roads look like this (sloping/deadfall) because of deactivation? I assumed it was just mother nature at work.
Yes, that was another way they deactivated roads before cross ditching them.
You will see that on many old roads all over the Province. |
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Fantastic views, but would we do it again? : )
