BC 4x4 Forums banner

Ghost Town trip!!

4539 Views 41 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Greg
G
Hey guys. I have arranged to book my holidays for the 2nd week of June. I will be down in that neck of the woods for a couple of weeks. Can we plan something out? It will have to be geared towards stock trucks because thats all I have
Ideas are Braelorne-Goldbridge area. Princeton area, and perhaps the Grand Forks-Midway area. Anytime within those two weeks would be great.
See less See more
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
If you're going to be in the Princeton area, definitely head east to Hedley on Hwy 3 to check out the Nickel Plate mines.

I'd also suggest the Whipsaw which would be an unforgettable experience. It's a good challenge for stock trucks and a very long trail that gets you away from everyone. Takes about six hours to drive the trail itself if you don't get stuck anywhere. Normally, it would be do-able starting in July but with the low precipitation we've had this winter, it might be ok in June.


...lars

------------------
19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274



We did Whipsaw last year and had a blast......the trail was getting a little soupy in some areas though. The locals in Princeton were also mentioning that the trail may be closing this year due to all the yahoo's muddin it up and the forest companies plan to do some logging....they could have been blowin smoke though just to keep the traffic down
But we will definately be doing it again this year if it is open.
See less See more
I remember Brad Reid (may he rest in peace) mentioning that the Coastal Cruisers had moved some logs to block entry to mud holes along the Whipsaw trail. It's a good idea. I think all the mudholes other than those that are RIGHT IN THE TRAIL should be off-limits. It's a real shame to see those hills all scarred up by fourwheelers who left the trail.

Speaking of which, Wells Lake would be a good target for a trail clean-up. There's a fair bit of garbage up there that should be removed. Maybe I'll haul a trailer the next time I go up there.


...lars

------------------
19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274

[This message has been edited by lars (edited January 11, 2002).]



Originally posted by GWG:
....they could have been blowin smoke though just to keep the traffic down.
They weren't blowing any smoke, the Whipsaw is pretty heavily scrutinized because of the level of usage and it is under threat of closure.



[This message has been edited by Wil (edited January 11, 2002).]
I would be in for a trip like that, and I have friends with 3 or 4 other truck that would go to. Post on here when you get something figured out.

------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon
Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey
If your coming down to princeton or grand forks area, mind if i tag along to? I live close to princeton/hedley however i have heard much about those trails, but havent blazed them yet. as for grand forks way, i know many really scenic and old mining townsite trails. Pheonix is a must see from greenwood up and whipsaw is a trail i have wanted to do for a while. If ya want a scout to give ya info on snowpack and such, give me a msg. (by june there wont be much snowpack)

------------------
79 ford, 50" tires, dana 60 axles, twin 500 ci engines (i wish) really an 89 pathfinder, somewhat stock, anyone with spare change so i can change the stock look?
i've been going up to that area for as long as i can remember. we've had a cabin in tulameen for over 23 years and my aunt has lived up there for 18 yrs and had been going up there since the 50's. we do whipsaw every aug. long weekend and i have seen how it has been destroyed over the years. it is a shame. my aunt told me over xmas that they might be leveling the trail out in the next couple years because they want to do heavy logging in that area. look what happened the entrance at badger creek. that would mean that the trail would become a road that could be 2wd driven. i hope not but it doesn't look good. as for wells lake, it definely needs a clean up. this year had to be about one of the worst that i have ever seen for garbage. it was everywhere, there was even some in the lake. i have always taken more garbage out than i came with when i've done the trail, and i strongly suggest to everyone that they do the same if they want to see it stay open. i will keep everyone informed as to what is happening up there since i have a relative that is a local, and i hear things first hand that haven't been pasted though the grapevine. if anyone is interested, myself and some club members usually go up to run some of the secret rockcrawling trails that are up around my cabin in early april. if you wish to join and stay on our lot in the town of tulameen give me a line. we only have limited room. lars do you still want to go?

steve



------------------
westcoast rockhuggers offroad club
See less See more
G
OK, due to a scheduling mix up at my work, I can no longer come down in the middle of June. I have, therefore, booked off the first two weeks of July.

I will be heading to the Goldbridge-Braelorne area to start. From there I intend to make my way across the province to the East Kootenays. Some sites include the Princeton area, Grand Forks, and eventually into the "Valley of the Ghosts" near Nelson. Camp outs all the way and hopefully GREAT weather.

My truck is completely stock, so any 4by potential is fairly limited. The budget is also tight so I dont want to be stranded with a broken truck 800 kms from my home.

I dont know much about these areas and will be relying heavily on the "Backroads Mapbooks" that I pick up. I will also be relying on information that I can garner from Lars web site and Greg's web site. Thanks for the great write ups guys!!

Again, my truck is stock so those guys with modified rigs might find the pace a little dull if you wish to join me.
See less See more
I am quite sure I can get 3 or 4 trucks to join the trip. stock F250, stock unimog 404(he might have a 416 by then), my dodge(will have unimog axles). We all have full size trucks, so we can't do the extreme trails, so no worries about being stock.

New Toyo: I assume your truck is a toyota, but what is it?



------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon
Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey
It just makes me sick to hear what has happened to Whipsaw.

I hope Mark Bostwick is happy that he told the world about the place.
WTF are you talking about?? Place the blame with the people responsible. It's not Mark's fault that losers who happen to own 4x4's are driving off the trail and littering.

How about this: Mark also says to stay on the trail, pack out more than what you packed in, drive responsibly, and don't wheel alone. Wise words for new 'wheelers, who are definitely part of the book's target market. Education is key. Mark's book is a welcome asset to our hobby, and the actions of the few will not change that.

Besides, if they truly followed Mark's mileages, they'd never find it.



------------------
Greg Sue
85 Toyota X-cab
http://media-north.com/4wd/
See less See more
G
Jarett: My truck is an 88 Long box, complete with kik-ass aluminum mud flaps that hang way down low to be torn off at the smallest obstical
See less See more
Originally posted by Greg:
WTF are you talking about?? Place the blame with the people responsible. It's not Mark's fault that losers who happen to own 4x4's are driving off the trail and littering.
I've given this matter some thought in the past and have decided that publicizing sensitive trails is a bad thing. I don't mind showing people the trail but I don't like the idea of making the information widely available to everyone. Yes, there are pros and cons to my stance and everyone will have to make their own decision. I believe that Mark's book has caused some problems with certain trails but I would not say he's the sole reason or even a huge reason for the problems we have on those trails.

The trails Mark writes about are fairly mainstream and many people knew about those trails long before Mark ever drove on them. I grew up in Princeton and was well aware of the existence of the Whipsaw. Unfortunately, there are idiot fourwheelers in all towns and cities, including Princeton. It is not just out-of-towners who have treaded heavily on the Whipsaw. The local idiots do the same thing and they certainly didn't need Mark's help in finding their way to the Whipsaw. This situation happens all over the place.

Greg's right, in the end, the onus is on the individual fourwheeler to act responsibly.


...lars

------------------
19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274


[This message has been edited by lars (edited January 15, 2002).]



See less See more
G
3
Jarett: I dont intend for this vacation to be a hard core 4wd trip, alls I am looking to do is explore some ghosttowns and minesites


As for the type of wheeling that I do, I mainly stick to forestry roads with a couple of minor excursions down easy trails and such. Got all of the hardcore bashing out a long time ago and it just doesnt interest me anymore. The chances of me seeing a trail like the Whipsaw on this trip is extremely low as I fully intend to stick to the backroads and easy trails.
See less See more
heh the funny thing is the mog was rolled in the middle of an open field. The only obstacle in the field was a log. He was trying to get one wheel up on the log to test out the articulation. It didn't quite work as planned. We have found the mog to be a touch tippy so we try to stay away from the extreme obstacles. Its good for climbing over stuff though. We are more into having fun than doing the real hard stuff. none of us have the money to fix our truck every time we go for a trip. Other than my Dodge all our trucks are daily drivers so breaking them is not good. The mog is used for work.

------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon
Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey
G
Jarett: I just read your trip report on the Mog roll. We had a similar incident in our club with a 94 Ford Ranger. The driver caught it before she rolled however-no where near as tall as the Mog.

Have U ever been into the Braelorne area? Whats the word on the Forestry campsites? Ever been to the BC nickel mine near Hope? Thats another one on my list.

[This message has been edited by NewToyo (edited January 15, 2002).]
It was crazy the mog actually paused at the top just before it went over. A friend has a pic of it as it is going over. The look on the guys faces are priceless! I haven't been able to scan it onto the comp yet.

I haven't been to any of those areas. The place I have been are Hut lake, Blow Down Pass(old logging road that goes up to Stein Valley), Eagle Ridge, Harrison - Pemberton. We have been wanting to do a ghost town trip or mine trip for a little while.

------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon
Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey
I plan on making a trip to this town some time this summer. I think it is fairly tame and no serious 4x4ing just FSR roads but should be fun all the same. http://pacificcoast.net/~bradian/

------------------
Me Tarzan u ? Favorite tool?
Monkey wrench!
I am the original shade tree mechanic
Oh yeah, In regards to posting info on trails that get trashed I only posted this site because it is on the net and I got it from this Bulletin Board. I once helped take 200 people (mostly kids) to an awsome site behind Merrit and we left no trace at all. I have been asked to keep this lake and its trails private and now I understand why. The lake is part of the Forestry Service campsites but you really need to know where it is to find it.

------------------
Me Tarzan u ? Favorite tool?
Monkey wrench!
I am the original shade tree mechanic
1 - 20 of 42 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top