South from Gaspard Rd. to Mud Lakes

[Toddler]

We’re in the early stages of planning a trip through the Chilcotin from Hwy 20 south on Gaspard Red Mountain Rd. to Mud Creek FSR. All of the ride reports I’ve been reading seem to be about riding north from Swartz Lake then going east to Yalakom. Can anyone provide some information on the route we’re thinking of taking?
We haven’t set a date yet and we’ll be on KLR 650s and T7s.
Thanks for your help.

 

[offworlder]

There are many reports here (search for Yalakom, or "Mud Lakes"). Be warned that the hill climbs out of the Mud Lakes area (past Churn creek) are not to be underestimated.

 

[Toddler]

Thanks offworlder, I think I've read all the reports, and the message is clear, "treat the hills with respect".

Take care

Todd

 

[bellacoolarider]

A group of us tried to go up from Swartz lake back in September of 2019 on heavy dual sport bikes. There was a major flood and only dirt bikers were able to bypass it going up another hill. We had to turn around and change plans. Last year I made it to Gaspard lake via Gang Ranch. Also be aware that just before arriving to Gaspard Lake, the road is also subject to flooding. Ask me how I know...took us two hours to cover one hundred meters. Beautiful place though and will do it again.

 

[Toddler]

Thanks bellacoolarider, I'm definitely getting a clear picture of what out there. A couple of us are thinking we might head up there to satisfy our curiosity and take a look.

 

[ktmislander]

I've ridden that multiple times with my dirtbike and it's always been easy. On my 790, we'll be riding down from Gaspard Lake in mid August, so we'll see how that goes. If anyone rides it this spring/early summer, please update. Awesome riding area!

 

[bellacoolarider]

I've ridden that multiple times with my dirtbike and it's always been easy. On my 790, we'll be riding down from Gaspard Lake in mid August, so we'll see how that goes. If anyone rides it this spring/early summer, please update. Awesome riding area!

Hey Ktmislander, please update if you do this trip in August and what the road conditions are. Ever since that failed attempt, I've been wishing to do it again. Next time, I'll take my DRZ instead. Thanks and good luck.

 

[Bigbrownlabrador]

Morning.
The Chilcotin is a great ride.
We've done it twice and doing a 3rd run thru in July.
Never done the Mud Lakes cut through though.
We usually ride...Vanc - Pemberton - Hurley - Lilloet - Pavillion Road (stay at Kelly Lake) - Jesmond Rd - Gang Ranch - (stay at Fletcher Lake) - Alexis Creek - Tsuniah Lake (great fly in only fishing camp we stay a few days) - Chilco Lake - Nemiah Valley ......then link back up to Flethcer Lake and retrace steps to Lilloet.
During the floods it was a challenge, washed out roads, u turns, etc...
Locals always stop to ask if you need help whenever you are pulled over on the road.
Great area, great trips, great fishing.
We usually take 7 days and take our time.
Have fun.

 

[Dr.Suzy]

The hills north of Mud Lakes were not doable for the five of us on loaded bikes last September and we found an abandoned bmw there too. There may have been some new fsr routes built since as we saw signs of new road building. Good luck.

 

[offworlder]

There's a story re the BMW. Needless to say, it didnt make the hill either (well it did, but at the cost of its clutch).

 

[690RW]

We’re in the early stages of planning a trip through the Chilcotin from Hwy 20 south on Gaspard Red Mountain Rd. to Mud Creek FSR. All of the ride reports I’ve been reading seem to be about riding north from Swartz Lake then going east to Yalakom. Can anyone provide some information on the route we’re thinking of taking?
We haven’t set a date yet and we’ll be on KLR 650s and T7s.
Thanks for your help.

My brother and I just went down through there on the 17th of June. We came out from the Yodel Cabin and then went down through Schwartz and Mud Lakes. There was some blowdown on the gnarly hill above Schwartz and a few more along the way to Mud Lakes but nothing too crazy. You might have to take your bags off and help eachother around them but hopefully it's all cut up by the time you go through. I thought water levels would be an issue but it was fine. I ride a 690 and my brother was on his exc 500 both with camping gear. Next time I wanna go down the other side of Poison to Moha which is what I think OP is talking about.

I've ridden that multiple times with my dirtbike and it's always been easy. On my 790, we'll be riding down from Gaspard Lake in mid August, so we'll see how that goes. If anyone rides it this spring/early summer, please update. Awesome riding area!

 

[Rustic]

Rode that this last fall and it's doable on a KLR but the beast us a little heavy on the Gnarly stuff, going north to south is easier though as the two difficult grades run up from south.

This video is longish plus 20 mins but shows Mud to Gaspard and through China Head to the reaction ferry. It is done for my own memory and to show the trail, not to be fancy

 

[bellacoolarider]

I've ridden that multiple times with my dirtbike and it's always been easy. On my 790, we'll be riding down from Gaspard Lake in mid August, so we'll see how that goes. If anyone rides it this spring/early summer, please update. Awesome riding area!

Hi, did you make it okay on your way back from Chilko? We met at Chilko lake campground. Ed.

 

[majorbedhed]

Morning.
The Chilcotin is a great ride.
We've done it twice and doing a 3rd run thru in July.
Never done the Mud Lakes cut through though.
We usually ride...Vanc - Pemberton - Hurley - Lilloet - Pavillion Road (stay at Kelly Lake) - Jesmond Rd - Gang Ranch - (stay at Fletcher Lake) - Alexis Creek - Tsuniah Lake (great fly in only fishing camp we stay a few days) - Chilco Lake - Nemiah Valley ......then link back up to Flethcer Lake and retrace steps to Lilloet.
During the floods it was a challenge, washed out roads, u turns, etc...
Locals always stop to ask if you need help whenever you are pulled over on the road.
Great area, great trips, great fishing.
We usually take 7 days and take our time.
Have fun.

This has been on the bucket list for quite a while. After Lillooet - I'm guessing the next fuel stop is Alexis Creek? Any other locations out there for fuel? Understand that at least one other option burned down a few years ago. Also, how is the Chilco Lake Rec site - did you camp there?

 

[Rustic]

Gas depends on route, there is some in Seton Portage and Gold Bridge on the South end if the area and Canoe Creek and Riske Creek North and then Clinton to the East.

 

[ktmislander]

Hi, did you make it okay on your way back from Chilko? We met at Chilko lake campground. Ed.

Hi Ed, Sorry I haven't responded, sorta forgot about this. It's an age thing. Nice meeting you in that gorgeous area. Yes we did make it out thru gaspard lake south to Carpenter Lake, did it a bit different with the 790s. We took the logging rd. south until the new bridge crosses over the mud lakes to poison mtn. trail, a couple miles north of Schwartz lake. got onto the 2 track there and everything was dry and easy south from there. But we also stopped and camped with my dirtbiking buddies north of there. They had brought up our dirtbikes so we rode everywhere in that area and we had a lot of different options to ride the 790s going south, Poison Mtn. or Mud Lakes or Prentice Lake or another 2 track, further west, that we cleared out, to Relay Valley. Just writing this makes me want to get back up there, such a great area of the province to ride.

 

[ktmislander]

So, around the 3rd week of August, we rode dirtbikes all around Schwartz Lake area including up the hill to Poison Mtn. and was all good. Creeks were fairly low, the hill is pretty rutted up though and would have been pretty tough to ride up on a 790 with all the bags. Anybody else have story of this area, this year?