Mothers Day outing anyone?

[DaveB]

Oliver and Willow whispered to me that they want to take their Mum out for a Sunday drive on Mother's Day. Suggested location: American Creek Loop. Anyone interested in joining us?

Dave

[John]

Does that include the creek crossing?

[DaveB]

Never been there, Andy suggested it as a good day trip. What's the creeek crossing like? Does it allow us to exit via the west side of Ruby Creek or is it earlier on along American Creek?

Dave

[ANDYD]

Hi Dave,

I would love to join you, but......
With two Rover weekends already booked in May (Whipsaw & Spences) if I stretch it to a third weekend I would be in the doghouse for the summer!!

Have fun........

Andy

[PaulC]

Yup, sounds good..can't confirm till Friday evening.

The creek crossing at the bottom of the hill does get you onto the Ruby FSR & related roads. Things where pretty tame a few years ago, when I last did this route. However once past the creek the exploration of power line roads in & around the upper part of Ruby was fun & far from complete.

I thought that last time (December 05) I drove by there on Lougheed Hwy that the Ruby FSR exit had been blocked of with concrete barriers :?: :!: Anyone else notice this :?:

There is another way out through the Haig, it requires driving on a right of way through private property.
I have done this a couple of times over the years & talked to the property owners who seem OK with it, as long as we closed gates & didn’t scare the chickens. Have things, attitudes changed since then…we could find out. :)

[John]

It has been years since I have run that route and we all know how good my memory is but from recollection the Ruby Creek road would have been the bypass entrance if you did not want to do the creek crossing. Can't recall at this moment where we usually entered, somewhwere off the East Harrison Rd. The creek crossing was reasonably deep with lots of big rocks. Always changing though as fast running water seems to do. The long, steep and loose hill was also a challenge. It would'nt be the same if you entered from American creek and ran it backwards.

John

[PaulC]

The road from East Harrison runs through Sasquatch Park & by Trout & Deer Lake. That road has been gated just west of Deer Lake for quite some time now. (Keep in mind, course the last time I was up there was about a year & half ago). About 2 years ago a gate was removed :shock: (entrance in the Park near Trout Lake) allowing access to a nice network of Hydro lines in the hills around the Sasquatch Park (possible connection to Ruby area :idea: ).

Back to Ruby, yea the hill is steep & loose, but it really isn’t all that tuff for vehicles with relatively compliant suspension. There weren’t any wash outs, stair steps or exposed rock to really make the climb challenging or line dependant in my humble opinion. Once at the top you may as well turn around & come back down, cause east of the hill top has been pretty tame for quite a few years. I have explored many of the logging roads & Hydro roads east of the hill & haven’t found anything worth revisiting. I think east of the hill makes a nice warm up approach to the trails in & around Ruby Creek. On the East approach you just have try to stay on the right trail or you’ll burn time driving up dead end cross ditch hell :twisted: logging cut blocks.

I’m still in for Sunday…who else the weather looks good to.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/s ... SACrk1.jpg

[PaulC]

So is it just going to be the 2 Disco's or what :) :?:

[DaveB]

Yup, so far just 2 disocs. 9:30 AM Mt. Lehman Tim Hortons (FV Automall).

See you there.

Dave

[ANDYD]

Ok...Dave...Paul...

So how was it?

Anyone get stuck in the creek?

Dont keep us in suspense.....

Photos???

[PaulC]

:D Didn't find the creek...ran into snow on American Creek, came around & up Ruby...had a little fun on a narrow boulder strewn shelf road. But we ran out of time and we came off the trail at about 3pm (Dave had a flight to catch).

I think Pamela took some shots, I have a few to, i'll send them in shortly. We are going to hit this area again lots of interesting little roads to try out. 8)

[PaulC]

A photo...the only decent pic i took. This is on American Creek FSR, about 10 minutes before we hit alot (Whipsaw like) of snow.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/s ... May061.jpg

[DaveB]

Speaking of Whipsaw snow. I flew over the Princeton/Whipsaw area last night on the way to Calgary. All I can say is bring along a shovel if you're going to Whipsaw this weekend. There appeared from the air to be snowed in roads anything over about 4000 feet.

Dave

[DaveB]

By the way, Happy Birthday Andrew!

Dave

[ANDYD]

Thanks Dave......

30 years young...cough...cough.... :wink:

Andy

[nakedbarra]

Hay Dave is that a Staun tyre deflater still on your wheel?
A

[DaveB]

Good eye Andrew. I hadn't finished airing down completely when we encountered this ditch, so I just put on the Stauns, drove through the ditch and removed them on the other side.

Dave