We cooked breakfast at our campsite right on the river while planning our day. We decided to try and make it to some Hot Springs halfway along the 4WD road, to spend more time out in the cuds. A 140km dirt/4WD road connected us to the highway north of Whistler, so we could take the scenic mountain route into Vancouver in a few days.
After pack up we rode 140kms along an increasingly busy highway to Hope, a nice town along the river, that was dotted with chainsaw wood carvings. Here we ate lunch, and wandered around the carving statues. Next we headed to the supermarket, where we required some careful pannier planning to pack 2 full days worth of food, more than we had done so far. We then took highway 7 out of town, (away from the busy freeway to Vancouver) for about 70kms to the start of the forestry road, which ran along Harrison Lake.
The road was rough, dry and dusty so we stopped to air down the tires. Our pace slowed down considerably on the track so we could watch for sharp rocks, potholes/washboards and loose sections, as well as the trucks hooning by. The first hour or so went by fairly smoothly, a few steep hills that were more rutted, but we felt like we were making good time. Then Suddenly, we weren’t any more.
We came apon a section so bad we struggled getting our bikes up, big rocks, heaves and loose rocks everywhere. For the first time my bike went down. This happened a few more times and Tanguy had to find a safe(ish) place to park, walk back, and help me get my bike upright and going again.
Only a few new scratches on the paint… Nothing broken, no one hurt
We were drenched with sweat from the slow, tense sections, picking up bikes, and water stops happened often. Starting to look like we wouldn’t make it to the springs tonight. It was another hot day but lucky for us it hadn’t rained in a long time, as we crossed 3 or 4 creek beds that were almost dry. Finally, the road headed towards the lake away from the cliffs, improved and we could pick up abit of speed again. As darkness began to creep up on us we took a fork we hoped headed to the springs (lucky for us we passed some jeeps confirming we had the correct unmarked road), and another 20mins of dodging large potholes we made it to the campsite – Yay! Right on dark, 1930.
We set up our camp in the mossy woods, ate our cafe snacks, then walked down the steep trail which led to the springs. The pools were completely natural and primitive, right on the edge of a fast paced glacial river. Using our headlights we found an unclaimed rock pool where we could finally soak and let the tensions ease out. So so good!
Zoe
After the planned adventurous, some unplanned adventurous.
Must have been a really challenging stretch of non-road!
Sorry to hear Zoë’s bike decided otherwise but good to know she came out unscratched, and only a few on the bike!
Luckily a the end of the track were the hot springs.
But, after a busy highway to Hope, better prepare for a very busy city of Vancouver, it may be some sort of a shock!
Baci da papa
Good to Know you’re ok Zoe. The unbeaten tracks may be challenging and offer unusual sceneries but don’t take too much risks, it could spoil the whole adventure.
At Harris there where hot springs too but you didn’t visit them ?
I hope you guys will choose more easy roads from now on and don’t tickle danger too much.
Take care you two and see you safe in Vancouver !
X Mum x