Four Brothers Bowl & Garrison Lakes - July 25th & 26th

[ANDYD]

Hi All,

The July Club Run will be into the area just east of Manning Park off highway #3. We plan to explore the new logging roads that have been pushed out to the east side of the Four Brothers Mountain Range. Hopefully we will be able to hike the last 1km up to the bowl lake under the four brother peak. (see photo). Also, a planned stop at Garrison Lakes and a little exploring to see if we can find a Whipsaw connector in this area.
We haven't been out into this area with the club for a long time, so its mainly unexplored. Difficult to estimate what the road conditions will be like. The positive is the logging roads are fairly new so hopefully in good condition. Its possible that some roads could be overgrown so possible BC pin striping!

What - Two day off-road run into the mountains just east of Manning Park. (a one day run is possible if you don't want to camp out, but it will make a long day of driving (the east side of Manning Park is about 3hrs each way from Vancouver).
Where - Four Brothers Bowl Lake & Garrison Lakes East of Manning Park.
When - Saturday 25th July & Sunday 26th July 2015 - Meeting Saturday morning at Tim Horton's at Whatcom Road off highway #1 at 9.00am, departing at 9.30am sharp.
Why - To explore the great outdoors, discover new wonders, fresh mountain air!
What Else - This is BC wilderness, bring along everything you need for your time in the mountains. The last fuel in at Eastgate, just east of Manning Park on Highway #3.

Let us know if you have any questions? Let us know if you are coming along?
Cheers,
Andy

[chrismac]

I'm coming,prob head up early and camp in the area.

[edoucet]

I'm going to see if I can make it. Really interested, but have to clear up my schedule... I'll confirm by Wednesday.

Cheers,
Eric

[mepham55]

I'll be in Vancouver this week. If we can swing it, the family and I will meet at Tim Hortons on Saturday am.

Matt

[chrismac]

Post up folks if you're coming. Hope to see you Matt and the family.

[Crs]

I'm in. :D :D Fingers crossed.

[edoucet]

I'm confirming that I'll be going...

Andy,

Will you be posting an itinerary that I can share with my family before we head out? Always like to let people know where we are going.

[ANDYD]

Hi Matt,

Good to hear you are in town, hope you can make it.

Hi Eric,

Thanks for confirming. Here is a loose schedule of what we hope / plan to achieve. This is not an area we have done much exploring so all times are approximate. The nearest "town" will be Eastgate on Highway #3 (the east gate of Manning Park) which has a gas station and cell service. (They may not have premium fuel)?

Saturday
9.30am - Depart Whatcom Road, Tim Hortons (Abbotsford) on Highway #1
12 Noon - Lunch by the river at Copper Creek just past Eastgate off highway 3
13.00 - Taking the Friday Main FSR off highway 3 heading west, hopefully connecting to Whipsaw Creek FSR.
15.00 - Arrive at the base of the Four Brother Mountain, scout the area for a walking trail up to the Bowl lake (walking approx. 1.5km)
17.00 - Set up camp at a nice spot somewhere between Four Brothers Mountain and Garrison Lake (we have a large "propane camp fire pit".. yeeh!).

Sunday
9.30am - Break camp, explore the Garrison Lake area, look for a connector to the Sunday Summit FSR.
13.00 - Lunch back at Copper Creek or near Manning Park
14.00 - Back on the Highway #3 at Manning Park.
17.00 - Back in Vancouver.

[Cam]

I got Sunday off! So I'll see you there then with my 2 boys.

Cam

[ANDYD]

Sounds good Cam, are you planning to meet us at Whatcom road at 9am on Saturday?

[edoucet]

Thank you for the info Andy

[Cam]

Yes Andy we will meet you at Whatcom Rd on Saturday.

[mepham55]

Well don't wait for me on Saturday. The boys have chosen the Saturday night fireworks over off roading(boo). At least it should be a good view from our 35th floor hotel room!
Have a great time guys.

Matt

[edoucet]

Hey Guys,

I made it back safely on Saturday night. I took the main Whipsaw FSR all the way down to HWY 3. I was feeling much better as soon as I arrived at around 4000' altitude, but then I wasn't feeling sleepy, so I just kept driving and arrived back in Burnaby at around 1:45am.

The road back was easy and safe, but there were lots of animals on the road. Even had 3 coyotes that came for a visit when I stopped to air up... They were very curious wondering what I was doing in the middle of the night on the side of the HWY.

Also saw four deer on the road. What are they doing up so late anyway...

It was a good day trip and didn't end up losing any parts on my D2 even if the trail we took as very narrow and overgrown..

Cheers,
Eric

[ANDYD]

Hi Eric,
Excellent, good to hear your journey home went safely. I still have your map book which I will give back the next time we meet.

We did make it to the Four Brothers bowl lake after a bit of bush whacking! It was quite stunning up there. More photos coming soon....

[Crs]

Hi Eric,

I'm glad you made it back safely. :D

To All,

Great weekend! Thanks to all for making it a lot of fun.

And to my 'Secret Admirer,' thank you for the flowers, but we are going to have to remain just friends. :shock:

[ANDYD]

More photos now posted to the Gallery here .....

http://roverlanders.bc.ca/gallery/view_ ... e=album573

Cheers, Andy