Mud Lakes, Poison Mt. and beyond...

[offworlder]

The time approaches for the annual pilgrimage deep into the Northern Wilds - Mud Lakes, Poison Mt, and beyond!
With the high temps, and dangerously dry conditions, we're looking to wait for the rain.

Anyone been up there lately? How's the smoke?

 

[Groovy]

LOL I was excited at first when I read Northern Wilds...

 

[majorbedhed]

Was based out of Lillooet last week. Intended to go for China Head from the Fraser River side since riding solo and a more "gentle" approach after failing to get up Poison Mtn from Mud Lakes last year (again solo, getting older, and modest skills so far less of a risk taker than I used to be!).

The Mackay Creek fire 25km north is likely now into mop up but was told there would be good chance I'd be turned around by the Forest Service / Fire Fighters if I tried heading that way. The day I intended to go the smoke was pretty bad - was improving later in the week but never fully gone - you can get a sense from this -

Did get rain one night leading to wicked gumbo mud on the usual approach to Cornwall Hills (see attached) and that did help bring the smoke down but noted it was coming back as I was leaving town the next day.

 

[DeathDuck69]

Wife and I rode up there last wednesday august 11 on the RZR. Road was dry and in good condition……couple of puddles from the previous weekends rain. Smoke didn’t kick in til friday aug 13. The ascent out of mud lakes going north and the decent going into swartz lake was dry and rutted. We didn’t go much north of the big new bridge…..too late in the day.

North end of swartz lake

 

[offworlder]

Anyone know where the new road goes?

 

[DeathDuck69]

I spent a good hour looking at all my topographic maps and searching the internet…..i think i came up with road 2800…..but don’t quote me on it.
Here’s a thread from this forum: https://forum.dualsportbc.com/threads/gold-bridge-to-gang-ranch.354672/

 

[lagbc]

Anyone know where the new road goes?

As far as I know it goes nowhere, it dead ends in clear cuts on east side. Road after the bridge wasn't finished 2 years ago, so I imagine that area will see more logging.

 

[scharfg]

Was based out of Lillooet last week. Intended to go for China Head from the Fraser River side since riding solo and a more "gentle" approach after failing to get up Poison Mtn from Mud Lakes last year (again solo, getting older, and modest skills so far less of a risk taker than I used to be!).

The Mackay Creek fire 25km north is likely now into mop up but was told there would be good chance I'd be turned around by the Forest Service / Fire Fighters if I tried heading that way. The day I intended to go the smoke was pretty bad - was improving later in the week but never fully gone - you can get a sense from this -

Did get rain one night leading to wicked gumbo mud on the usual approach to Cornwall Hills (see attached) and that did help bring the smoke down but noted it was coming back as I was leaving town the next day.

Hey MBH, do you have a track of that mine road? We plan to head to Lillooet at the end of September and we'd like to check that cool looking road out!

Thanks in advance.....

 

[majorbedhed]

Hey MBH, do you have a track of that mine road? We plan to head to Lillooet at the end of September and we'd like to check that cool looking road out!

Thanks in advance.....

Hey there - sorry for the delay - been out of town for a while. I didn't track the ride, but took the Lorochelle FSR off of Bridge River Road and just kept climbing at every option till it got too rough / rocky for this solo old goat. The whole area has so much to explore - you'll have fun no matter where you go up there!

 

[scharfg]

Ah okay. When I was there in 2018 we turned left off the Lorochelle at about the 15km mark and went way high on a mining road, probably the same one...

 

[ktmislander]

Anyone know where the new road goes?

If you get up onto the bridge from the Mud Lakes trail, go west and it is the extension of the Gaspard-Churn FSR, which takes you over Lone Valley and north to Gaspard and Farwell Canyon

 

[Airride]

This Post brings back good and bad memories.

The Bad : A minor crash and difficult terrain for my skill level.
The Good : Scenery.

Did a 2 night Solo loop back in July 2016. Not recommended.
Left Carpenter Lake on day 2 past Tyaughton Lake to Mud Lakes. Did a quick run up Poison Mtn and then back down Yalakom for night 2 back at Carpenter Lake.

My next attempt of this loop will most likely involve my Ebike and trailer.

Cheers

 

[Sicamose]

Hi Airide,
In 2020, we tried reverse route of what you did but on GS’s. Had to turn around just before Poison Mtn turn off.
Do you have a track of your route?

 

[Airride]

Yes I do.
Here is a screen shot of my track. I can send the track to an email if you like.

I stand corrected and forgot it was only a two day outing.

Another unrepeatable Solo trip I did was the Telkwa Pass to Salmon Glacier.
Plan to redo it using my EBike as it is so much easier dealing with a 60lb machine versus
360lb plus machine when your on your own.