Winter Quad Ride on Chippewa Main

Map of our Chippewa Bay quad ride.

When you get a sunny day in winter, the outdoors calls, real loud.  Wayne went out to the barge where we keep our quads up at the float cabin in Hole in the Wall and got our bikes ready for a ride.

Chippewa Bay is good winter destination because it gets direct rays until the sun sets behind the Bunster Range at about 4:00.

Back home at Hole in the Wall direct sun ends at 12:30 this time of year. Winter sun and exercise are a welcome combination.

Offloading at the Chippewa Bay barge ramp.

Since it was a week day, we called Western Forest Products to make sure we wouldn't interfere with any logging activities. We've seen a boat at the dock lately, so we knew something might be in progress.

Western Forest Products can be reached at (604) 485-3100. If there isn't an answer, you can leave a message for a callback.

It takes about half an hour to get from the cabin to Chippewa Bay. 

The low lake level and calm day made for an easy barge ramp offload.

Rest break in the turnout next to a slash pile.

We started up Chippewa Main heading for the snow. The lower road was in good condition. Logging has been quiet here for several years, but that's about to change.

Powell Lake and the high country in the backgrount.

After following along Powell Lake for some distance, we turned uphill towards Heather Main. It didn't take long for us to see patches of snow, and suddenly the road was covered in a thick coat of the white stuff. Unlike some riders here in Powell River, we don't have tracks to turn our quads into snowmobiles.

We make it to the snow level.

After a break to enjoy sunshine and a winter wonderland, we headed back down to Chippewa Main. We turned northward and passed the brushing machine where it had to stop the job of clearing alders from the roadbed.

Ready to start back down after a fun day up in the snow.

We bumped into a Western Forest Products crew surveying for culverts that needed replacement. Some needed replacing so the brusher could finishing removing the alders, and the road would be ready for logging trucks in the near future. It's amazing how fast those prolific trees can take over a road in the bush.

We made it back to the barge ramp with enough sunlight left for our ride home, the end to a great day in the backcountry.

Once the snow recedes, you can reach Chippewa Main and Powell Lake via Southview Road north of Powell River. It takes two or more hours one way. -- Margy

If you are new to the area, you can connect with the Powell River ATV Club for further assistance.  Mario Gusola, President  (604) 485-2275.