TT Spring Trip for May

“Okay, PNWers, here's a Spring TT trip, for ya, BC style!

Well... it's not exactly the wild, rainforested coast, or the premier, scenic grandeur, of BC's moutain ranges, but it is an opportunity to spend five or six days in a unique and pristine, protected wilderness, following the Stein River. From the trailhead at Lytton, in the desert like Fraser Canyon, the trail heads westward along and above the Stein River's rapid course, through the lower canyon.

On the second day, we take a cable car crossing, to the north bank, and the canyon widens out, to a lush, glacialy carved valley.

The third day is a day trip, further west, to the intersection of Cottonwood Creek. The waterfalls and views, here alone, are worth the trip.

Days 4 & 5 are the return trip. A full traverse is possible, but it takes 8 to 10 days and avalanche danger will be high, in the Coast Mtns.

The planned dates are May 11 or 12 to meet, at the trailhead, and May 17 to be back at the vehicles (before the Cdn holiday weekend). This is a trip for all ages and abilities. Random camping allows you to do as much distance as you like, each day. The planned days are a managable 10km to 12km each, which allows faster hikers plenty of time, to relax or explore. This area is rich in ecology, wildlife and native history.

The best part, about the Stein trip, is that it's logistics are simple..... Two hours drive, from the US border, or Vancouver Airport.... just show up and hike! There are no fees, permits, quotas or designated campsites. Also, we may very well be nearly the only ones in there. I have done this trip twice, in May, and it's the best time to go, for weather (I've not had more than a drop of rain, in here), crowds (count them on one hand) and wildlife (deer, black bears and more).

Have a look at last year's July Trip Report and Pics (unless you'd rather be surprised) There are links, to another web site, for maps and info.

Of course, this trip is open to all TTers, but if you need to fly across the continent, you may prefer an August trip, in the Rockies. Feel free to email me at Hodgeman@telus.net..... Hodgeman of BC”

“Hmmm, looks like we'll have this hike all to ourselves Hodge. Perhaps as the time gets closer more folks might jump on board.

Be sure and let Phil know about the trip and he can post it on the trips page.”

“Hey Chas - Ya, I sent Phil an email. I'll run the post by a couple more times, for sure. I think a lot of our PNWers are gearin' up, for Strider's trip this week. Too bad we couldn't make that one.... It sounded like fun.”

“So, where are all the PNWers, anyway? I haven't seen many of ya, lately.”

“This looks like a good one. I should be able to get away from Olympia by then, and it will be my first Canadian venture that will get me beyond the freeway and the Vancouver metro area.

Look forward to it!

Tekky”

“Welcome aboard Tekky!

I don't think I have your email addy, so be sure to send it to me. I'll be putting the mail list together, a little closer to the date.

Hopefully, we'll get a few of last years Oly crew and a few new faces, as well.”

“Dang, another one that's too far for me to drive!
8-(”

“Hey Snow Nymph - Hopefully we'll see you in Montana, in July. I can give you some info then, on a B.C. Rockies trip, that I have in mind for August. It could be one that you'd be into... Lots of options for climbs, scrambles and icefields.”

“Well, I was hoping to bring my SO with me on this trip, but she's decided not to come along. Combination of factors - not enough vacation time, wants to do a technical conference in Palm Springs about the same time, and she doesn't feel she'll be ready to spend a week in the woods by May.

So, it looks like I'll be flying solo this time out. Hope I can bum the use of her digital camera for the trip. ;o)) Of course, since she's gonna be going on a trip at the same time, maybe I should spring for one of my own . . . the Gear Gods smile upon me once again! *”

“Hey Tekky - Sorry to here that your SO won't be able to make it. Maybe next time, eh?

I just got home from Puerto Vallarta and I think it might be Spring by the time I dig out, from everything that's been piling up around here, while we were away

I got a couple of emails regarding the Stein trip, so I'll be putting a bit more info together for you all, before long”

“I see that the Stein River is not subject to the Spring closure for Region #3. Is the fishing worth lugging in a graphite fly/spinning pole, two reels, flies, and an assortment of small lures? Are there sufficient pools to make it worth the effort? What's the streamside vegitation like? Is there too much overhead cover for fly casting? (If so, I'll leave behind the fly reel, the flies, and a pole section or two.) Do creeks and lakes not listed in the regulations book fall under the area-wide Spring closure? (I'm just a bag o' questions, huh?)

Think that about covers it for this post. Wanna guess who's tired of Winter already? *<:O))”

“Hey Tekky - I'm afraid I'm not much of a freshwater fisherman, myself, so I might not be of much help to you.

There are rainbow, steeelhead and Dolly Varden in tne Stein, but I can't tell you much about the rules and regs.

As for the vegetation and access etc... Below the river crossing, the canyon is quite narrow and rapid, so the few pools aren't very big, but our first camp is beside an open meadow area. Above the crossing, the river widens out, but still moves quickly. The banks are more heavily vegetated, but there is the odd gravel bar here and there, depending on the river level.

I'll see if I can dig up a little more info for ya”

“Tekky - I don't have your e-mail address, so here's a link to the Fishing BC site. You might find some more info there
Link”

“Hey everyone!

I was answering a few questions, in an email from Tekky, so I sent the reply out as the first 'group email', about the trip. If anyone didn't receive it, or would like to be added to, or removed from the email list, let me know.... Hodgeman”

“I just sent out a copy of the trail description, to those on the mailing list. I also have a PDF copy of the topo available.

Email me if you would like either”

“Just thought I'd run this back to the top, with Spring just around the corner. Actualy, it's snowing here, today, so it's more like wishful thinking. Any PNWers lurking around that haven't checked in?”

“I just sent an e-mail to everyone still on the list, for this one. If I've missed you, let me know...

Only four weeks from now!!”

“I can't make this one. I would miss my son's kindergarten graduation. Can't miss that. Have a good time.”

“Tempting..round trip airfare from LA is 225..not bad..hmmmmmm”

“Hey All - I just sent out an e-mail regarding trail conditions.

wsdavies - I don't have an e-mail addy for you. Still interested..??.. send me your address and I'll bring you up to date.”

“Two weeks to go.... Any last minute hikers???”

“It's super tempting, but I'm going on a 3-4 week road trip in June and need to save my money...If you go next year post it again and I'll see what I can do.”

“Hey wsdavies - Where are you off to in June??”

“we're gonna cruise from central California...up through Utah..Zion..then to Yellowstone and the Tetons..up to Glacier, and then hopefully all the way up to maybe Alberta..then over and down through B.C. Vancouver...Seattle...Oregon...and back through California...Should be a real kick”

“Sounds like you're in for some good times!!
Drop me an e-mail if you think you'll have a bit of time, around Vancouver”

“Steve, that sounds like an awesome trip! A month off for that, eh? And then, the JMT to boot! You're inspiring me to do the same. I've been to nearly every place you've mentioned, and a few times at that. These are some of the most pristine,scenic and geologically impressive points in the continental U.S., and I'd love to see it all again.

Have you ever been to any of these sites? If not, I'm sure I can help as somewhat of a virtual guide. In fact, it will help me share the experience pretty nicely, as I'm sure I won't be doing a trip like that for a while yet.

Cool. Way cool.”

“Apparently, I've picked the worst possible week, for everyone to try and get away. So, I've postponed the Stein trip.

If anyone is interested in making it, for June 10 -14, or there abouts. send me an email, by the last week of May.”