Another weekend with too much upper wind for flying, so its plan B: a hiking weekend. I always wanted to explore more of the
South Chilcotin and choose Leckie
Lake as destination. Minutes
after getting to the trail head we are swarmed by horseflies, blackflies and
mosquitoes. This has the positive effect that I grab my bug shirt. After the
last trip I noted that a bug shirt wasn’t necessary. It sure was this time!
The trail in was just as described in other trip reports. Reasonably well to follow and marked with ribbons in the trees but easily lost in the many boggy meadows. Lucky for us it had been dry for some time and the meadows were not too wet, still crocs are useful. Great views, lots of bear scat and nobody else… a very nice change from the crowded hiking close to Vancouver lately. We followed the east side of Wolverine Creek up to Leckie Lake. Total time in 4:45, out 4:15.
Amazing alpine ‘lake-scape’ and nobody else around. Except swarms of
horse flies and later mosquitoes that make us get into the tent early – should have
brought reading material! Stunning stars at night - after the mosquitoes went to
bed.
Next day we hike to Wolverine
Pass. Just as we walk
around another small lake a grizzly mom with two cubs run across the valley
several hundred meters ahead of us. We move to the other valley side to give
them space. Always glad to see a grizz run away.
Great view from Wolverine Pass to Taylor Pass and into Gun Creek valley. A strong wind over the pass blows the insects away so we settle down for a while to take in the scenery. We get lazy and skip a scramble up one of the ridges near the lake (the one to the east of Wolverine Creek looks easier) and walk to the east end of the lake for a look down Leckie Creek Valley and a short jump into the lake. But its too cold for swimming for me. Dinner back at camp.
Winds have picked up and after dark bands of clouds come in. Strong wind continues all night with some rain and the odd lightening and thunder. Glad the new tent (MEC Volt2) is holding up. A bit surprising since there was nothing but sun in the forecast two days ago. We pack up under cloudy skies for an early hike out. Our trusty Deli is still the only vehicle parked at the trailhead. The sky looks a little smoky. During the night the Sea2Sky corridor Vancouver to Pemberton got hit by big thunderstorms causing many wildfires to start. I’m glad the storm didn’t make it to the Chilcotin; it could have been a serious problem getting stuck up a lonely logging road.
We take the scenic route back via Carpenter Lake,
Bridge River and Lillooet. Crazy winds switching
180 degrees several times along the eastern part of the lake and down bursts from the ridge to Anderson Lake. Checking out Nick Neyens landing
spot at the mouth of Tyaughton Creek. Steep rock walls along Bridge River
Canyon below the dam. Then
on to our old paddling grounds, Bridge
River from Yalakom Creek.
Lillooet is hot… 37oC!
