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Scrambles in Southwest British Columbia

The updates provided on this page have been collected from various sources including emails from people engaged in scrambling. Most updates have not been verified by the author. This list of updates in by no means complete as there are likely many changes unknow by the author at this time. Do not assume the information listed below is complete or accurate.

Mount Sedgwick Access - Page 40
The Woodfibre Mill, located at the start of the route to Mount Sedgwick, is closed. The ferry from Darrel Bay to the mill was permanently shut down on March 9th, 2006. You must now arrange your own transportation acorss Howe Sound if you want to scramble up Mount Sedgwick.

Sky Pilot Road Access - Page 42
July 2008 Update Regarding Road Status (Sky Pilot access) : Restrictions on Shannon FSR through July 2008. The following road closure may affect hikers and climbers attempting to enter or exit the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park or adjacent areas by way of the Shannon Creek FSR. The Shannon Creek FSR will be closed (0km to approximately 3km) to all public due to active logging operations (road re-construction, falling, yarding, and hauling) from May to the end of July 2008. Activity is not expected to be occurring on the weekends or evenings but it is possible that operations may be occurring during any daylight hours and access. EXTREME caution is advised, DO NOT approach active equipment or tree fallers. Notices will be provide to Parks for posting at the start of the chief trails and will be removed upon completion of operations. The logging contractor will have additional signs posted closer to the active operations (July 2008).

Recently someone reported being able to drive to the boulder blockade (918034) in a high clearance 4WD vehicle (1-august-2006). The "Stawamus-Indian FSR" (3.8 km up the Mamquam River Road) was gated on Sept 24th, 2006. Apparently in the late fall of 2006 the road has been closed with a chain by a water treatment plant (thanks to Chris Kiely for this update); reportedly there is a ditch-bypass option (winter 2007).

Lake Lovely Water Approach - Page 48
The access road to the Squamish River and Lake Lovelywater trail has apparently been gated by the local First Nations People. Jay Bicknell (new number: 604.898.3356) still provides ferry service, now using a jet boat from Brakendale - the ACC website lists the per person cost at $35. Reportedly the cable car is on ~1.5" cable.

Tricouni Peak - Page 56
Reportedly a rocksilde on the High Falls Creek road has blocked the access route to Tricouni Peak from the High Falls Creek quite low on the road. This will add a lot of extra elevation and road walking. This route may not be worthwhile at the moment. It is possible to access Tricouni from Chance Creek, but this entaisl an entierly separate approach. (Sept 2008)

Cloudburst Mountain - Page 58
Reportedly a rocksilde on the High Falls Creek road has blocked the access route to Cloudburst from the High Falls Creek quite low on the road. This will add a lot of extra elevation and road walking. This access may not be worthwhile at the moment. (Sept 2008)

I believe that there is a new road/junction on the access road for this route, thought I am not 100% sure (recently people have not been able to find the parking area I suggest).
I believe this is the solution: Cross High Falls Creek on a bridge (7.4 km), go right at a junction immediately after the bridge. At the next junction (813336 , second after crossing High Falls Creek) you must turn off to the right onto an older, busier road (Branch 200) instead of continuing straight (the left brach) on Branch 270 (which is new since I wrote the description). Branch 200 is very bushy at first (expect pain scratches) but clears up shortly after. Cloudburst can also be ascended by a slighly different route from Branch 270. Thanks to Simon Chesterton and Kevin Swanson for this information. (mid July 2007)

Ossa Mountain - Page 60
The small hydro power project on the Ashlu has led to logging along the Ashlu road where the Sigurd Creek access road departs, but the road still exists. A new fork now exists a short distance from the Ashlu Creek road at a switchback, stay left. Once hiking on the trail, a new shortcut trail has been created that cuts off a short section of hiking, it is well marked. (mid July 2007)

Ashlu Mountain - Page 65
The Ashlu road is getting worse. Click here for a recent description of the road condition (August 2008).
Older Update: Apparently some work has been done on the Ashlu road and the slide at about 7 km along the Ashlu Creek Road (23 km before the trailhead) is passable, but possibly requires agressive driving. Rich So explains " We managed to get to within 3km with the lightly modified Subaru Loyale, with some agressive driving. We actually saw a Grand Vitara parked within 500m of Shortcut creek." (10 Sept 2007). One truck that managed to push through the washout found the road beyond had a bad sinkhole (click here).

Cypress Peak - Page 72
The access road has seen some changes recently. Reportedly the road access is now accessible by a 2wd vehicle. In addition, the road now continues beyond the end described in the guidebook. People have mentioned that crossing Roe Creek , which can be difficult to cross due to high water even in late July) is easier if you hike slightly further upstream (north) closer to where the route to Cypress Peaks leaves the creek and climbs up the long talus slope. Reportedly an indistinct trail leads to Roe Creek from the road. Apparently this trail leave the Roe Creek road a short distance beyond where the road enters old growth forest (past 11.5 km in the guidebook access description). The trail is marked by ribbon on trees and slashes cut into trees. Thanks to Tim and Sarah for the update. (July 27, 2008)

Old update: There has been some road work done along the roads used to approach Cypress. A few new forks now appear along the way. Click here for updated road infomation. Thanks to Brock Wilson and Scott Nelson for this update. Dana Nohynek reported that in July 2006 it was possible to pass through the waterbar at ~9 km with a 4wd high clearance and drive to the trailhead at 11.2 km. This has been confirmed again in July 2007.

Black Tusk from Microwave Towers - Page 81
Reportedly this road is currently gated quite low. With the gate closed at a low elevation, this is not a good access route to Black Tusk. (20-oct-2006) Still gated as of July 2007.

Brandywine Mountain - Page 86
The road is blocked where it meets Highway 99 (likely due to highway construction). It is still possible to access the Brandywine road by driving a little further north on Highway 99 and turning left onto the Callaghan Lake road, and then taking the first left off the Callaghan Lake road (July 2008).

Russet Lake Approach - Page 90
When accessing the Russet Lake area across the Musical Bumps from the top of lifts on Whistler Ski Resort there is a new trail option to consider. The new trail is called the 'High Note Trail' and reportedly provides good views of Cheakamus Lake. The new trail is probably a bit longer but more scenic. Check Whistler-Blackcomb trail map and the Whistler-Blackcomb hiking trail descriptions.

Meager Creek Bridge Reconstruction - Page 113, 114
According to the Squamish Forest District, t he bridge over Meager Creek is currently being rebuilt and should be completed by October 2007. (23-Aug-2007) Once this is finished, it will dramatically imporve access to the following peaks: Three Stooges, Frozen Boot and Overseer Mountain. Reportedly it is nearly impossible to safely cross the creek without the bridge.

Tenquille Lake Approach from Tenquille Creek- Page 121
This road is deteriorating. There are several rock slides that have partially blocked the road between 10 and 16 km from the highway. The Tenquille Creek Branch FSR is getting very bushy and alders will scratch vehicles. (mid July 2007)

Mount Sampson - Page 141
The bridge at the start of the "Hurley River-Hurley River South FSR" has been removed. Reportedly it is possible to cross the creek on a log a short distance upstream from the birdge and avoid a ford of the creek. Reportedly it is possible to get a bike across for use along the logging roads. (Summer 2005)

Chipmunk Peak, Tenquille North Ridge - Page 142-145
The branch of the Hope Creek FSR that leads towards Opal Lake, Chipmunk Peak and the north ridge of Tenquille is reportedly not worth driving past 11.2 km at a large waterbar/creek - very large waterbars begin after this creek. This will leave people with some road hiking if headed to this area. (Sept 2007)

Beaujolais, Mystery- Page 148-151
The access road is reportedly still in 4WD-HC to the trailhead as described in the route description (June 2008).

Mystery - Page 151
On page 151 there are references in the text and on the photo to the "lake east of Mystery". This lake is actually located to the west of Mystery.

Harris Ridge - Page 162
The Taylor Creek FSR is reportedly getting very bushy and may scratch vehicles. (spring 2007)

Spetch Creek Approach - Cassiope, Saxifrage - 166
This road is reportedly very bushy now. Alders will scratch your car on the approach (Summer 2007).

Place Glacier Approach - Page 172
The BCMC recently spent a weekend clearing deadfall off this trail and have considerably improved it. Of course, the trail is still steep! (late July 2008)

Birkenhead Mountain - Page 179
The road access description contains an error. At the junction at 3.3 km you should take the right fork, not the left fork as indicated in the text. Thanks to Chris Kiely for catching this one.

Phelix Creek Approach - Page 180
The Phelix Creek Hut area should not be used between August 15 and October 15; it is a used by grizzly bears during their mating season.
The "Blackwater Creek-Phelix Creek Branch" is currenlty 4wd-HC access to the trailhead, due to work being done on the ongoing rockslide at 0.5 km. In addition, the road was brushed out slightly to reduce the carwash effect (July 2008). A new access trail has been constructed to the hut from the same trailhead by the VOC. It heads up the west side of Phelix Creek. (July 2008) Details from the VOC wiki: "The new trail stays on the west side of the creek, more or less following the traditional winter route. The trail has been meticulously flagged, and permanent trail markers will be installed in spring 2008. The constructed trail ends at the east end of Long Lake. From there, the best route is to follow discontinuous trails around the south side of the lake to the cabin."

Twin Lakes Approach - Page 186
Reportedly it is possible to drive 2WD vehicles to the 14-15km where rock fall blocks the road to everything but ATV's. To reach this point you must cross 2 or 3 small waterbars and 1 minor creek. This adds 2kms and 200 m elevation gain to the approach. Thanks to Paul for the update. (mid July 2008)

Cayoosh Mountain - Page 194
Reportedly people have been driving a ways up the access road towards Cayoosh from from the Duffey Lake highway. This road is described as the start of the hike in the Scrambles route description since it was not driveable during research. The road is reportedly very bushy and may not actually be worthwhile driving on (July 2008).

Mount Marriott - Page 198
Reportedly there is a better way to access the ridgeline from the mini valley. Instead of hiking up "slabs, ramps and scree on the left side of the cliff" it is reportedly easier and more plesant to ascend to the right of the cliff and reach the ridgeline at which point you would hike along the ridge to the left to regain the route. I have not tried this route so I can not vouch for its difficulty. (July 2007)

Cerise Creek Access - Page 202
The summer access road described in the scrambles guidebook has become significantly more bushy with alders in the past couple years. It is no longer advisable to drive your car on this road unless you don't mind getting your paint scratched. Instead you should park in the winter parking spot on the Duffey Highway and hike down across the creek and up to the clearcut to the logging road. This hike from the highway to the summer trailhead should take 35-45 minutes. Thanks to Craig Oliver for reporting this one. (4-October-2006)

Hurley Silver Mine - Page 212
A bridge on the access road for this area at approximately 0.5 km from the Duffey Lake highway was burned recently. It sounds like this might make the access roads undriveable for regular vehicles. (1-august-2006) Also, there is a mistake in the first paragraph of the access description. It should say "Turn left roughly 47 km from Mount Currie" not right as indicated. Thanks to Chris Kiely for catching this one.

Downton Creek Peak 8700 - Page 216
The map for this area is 92 J/9 Shalalth, not 92 J/8 Duffey Lake as stated. Thanks to Bryan Preston for catching this one.
I would no longer say the downton road is 2wd. Although the first section is in good shape, the 2nd half has gotten a bit rough and i'd say it's now a high clearance road. (Summer 2008)

Upper Statlu Approach - Page 239
Shortly after Skwellepil Creek at 32km from the Lougheed highway and prior to Statlu Lake the road has been deactivated by two impassable ditches. ~1km past these ditches a large landslide has crossed the road. The will add a large ammount of road walking to reach the trailhead and likely not make the trip worthwhile. For a detailed update regarding the condition of the road click here. According to the MOF website (click here to see) the alternate road access from from Harrison West FSR and Chehalis-Mystery Creek FSR is also closed due to a wood salvage operation related to the landslide. (27-July-2008)

Mount McGuire - Page 248
A bridge ~4.6 km from the Chilliwack Lake road on the Slesse-Borden FSR has been washed out and the road is blocked lower down with boulders. Because of this access to the McGuire trailhead is considerably longer and would require an additional 8 km of mountain biking with considerable elevation gain. (mid July 2007)

Mount MacFarlane - Page 251
On the fourth line of the route description there is a mistake. The description should read: "...a trail cuts off to the left marked by orange diamonds..." (The trail does not cut off to the right as indicated in the book.)

Baby Munday Area Approach, Knight, Baby Munday Stewart - Page 256-261
The Airplane Creek FSR is gated at the turnoff from Foley FSR (apparently at 8PM on weekdays and throughout the weekend). This will add several extra kilometeres of road hiking and elevation gain to the approach. It may be possible to borrow the key to the gate; the new number for Tamihi Logging is 604.796.0314. There is also a new fork on this road due to new logging road construction. The new fork is ~2.2 km up the Airplane Creek Road. Go right at this fork. Thanks to Brock Wilson and Daniel Durocher for the updates (10-july-2006). The gate has been reported open and closed at different times during the summer of 2007.

Williamson Lake Approach, Welch Peak, Foley Peak - Page 262-267
Reportedly it was possible to drive past Foley Lake last fall but the road condition is degrading. It is hard to say how much longer this access route will be viable (Summer 2008).
The road is now apparently blocked by large boulders or large cement blocks near Foley Lake, possibly due to damage from a landslide tsunami in the winter. This closure will add considerable distance and elevation gain to along roads to reach the trailhead. (mid July 2007)
Apparently there is a new gate on the Foley Creek FSR. Reportedly it is quite low on the road which would make for a long hike on logging roads if it is closed. I don't have contact info for the key as of yet. If you know where to get the key please email me. It has reported as opne and closed at different times.(23-oct-2006).

North Nesakwatch Spire - Page 268
The access road was washed out aroudn 5km from the Chilliwack Lake road but reportedly the road can now be driven with a 4WD-HC to the trailhead. (July 2008)

Williams Peak - Page 272
It has been pointed out to me that the description for this peak is confusing at the point where you must leave the trail to cross the rocky basin below the summit horn. Photos and a description of this section of route can be found in a discussion on clubtread.com (click here).

Macdonald Peak - Page 274
The bridge over the Chilliwack River at the end of Paulsen Road has been removed making it unsafe to access the Radium Lake Trail and Macdonald Peak and Mount Webb from the trailhead described in the book. To reach the trail it is now necessary to park at the Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park campground where the Radium Lake trail begins. To reach the parking area continue driving down the Chilliwack Lake Road and ignore the turnoff for Paulsen Road. A marked trail leading to Radium Lake starts from within the camprground. Thanks to jsadowski for pointing this one out.

Old Settler - Page 281
Reportedly you can only drive 7.8km up the road now and must walk the rest of the way along the road. There is now a flagged route from teh road through the forest leading up towards Daiphy Lake. (July 2008)

Julia (www.mountaingirl.net) emailed me a suggestion for a better route from the road to Daiphy Lake. Check out the description and photo. The access road is currently in better conditions than it has been in the past couple years. A 4WD-high clearance should be able to make it to GR 959842, which is 8.6 km up Talc Creek road. Park here and walk the remaining 2.7 km of logging road. (1-aug-2006). In July 2007 the gate at the start of the Talc Creek road is reportedly being locked on weekends and a log is being placed across the road. The caretaker has not been giving out the key for people to drive up the road. Call Lakeside Pacific in Chilliwack before going here.

One other note regarding The Old Settler: the scramble route described in "Scrambles in SWBC" leads up the central summit of hte massif. The north summit is apparently higher than the central summit, but I have not climbed the north peak and can't vouch for the difficulty.

Eaton Lake Approach - Page 282
The Silver-Skagit road which leads to the Eaton Lake trailhead was damaged and closed over the winter of 06-07. It has now been repaired and access is back to normal (August-2007).

Tomyhoi Peak - Page 305
It has been pointed out to me that my hiking description for the first part of the Tomyhoi Route can be confusing. There is a major fork in the trail below Gold Run Pass where you must go to the left towards Yellow Aster Bute. Do not go right towards Tomyhoi Lake.

North Twin Sister & South Twin Sister - Page 310, 314
I erroneously called these peaks "North Twin" and "South Twin". They are actually named "North Twin Sister" and South Twin Sister".
In addition, for the North Twin Sister access, reportedly one of the junctions on the bike ride to the two peaks has changed due to reactivation of one of the roads. The description in the book does not reflect the improved road and may be confusing. Click here for an updated description of this approach provided by Yoel (Sept 2007). It is at a junction where you are supposed to go right onto what was previously an old road. One more note is that it appears a different access road which leads to the junction between the routes of the North and South Twin Sisters has been reactivated. This may provide a new driving route to considerably shorten the approach, but I do not have specific information. (July 2007).