Fall Quad Ride to Chippewa Bay on Powell Lake

Unloading the quad at Chippewa Bay.

Summer rides are fun because the weather is usually sunny and warm. The down side is dusty roads and trails. Fall rides are just about perfect, the weather is pleasantly cool and the roads have received enough rain to tamp down the dust.

We loaded up the barge with what we would need for a day quad ride to Chippewa Bay. The quads stay on the barge all year long, but in the rainy season we take everything out of our cargo boxes to keep it from getting damp and possible damage. Plus it's always good to take along a chain saw just in case a fallen tree blocks your way.

Riding well used Museum Main to find the new logging roads.

We wanted to ride over in the Chippewa Bay area on Powell Lake because Western Forest Products has been building new roads into future cut blocks. We like riding through the trees before logging begins. We've been able to experience such rides in the Eldred River Valley, at Chippewa South, at Pickles Point and now in Chippewa Bay.

Large fir trees along Chippewa Main.

After the roads are completed, the logging company waits for several months for the newly compacted dirt and rock to settle before heavy logging trucks and equipment begin their work.

Wayne coming down a new section of road.

We missed seeing all of the large trees cut down to make way for the new road beds, but a few were still resting at the side of the road.

Wayne next to two sections of a huge fir tree.

This fir tree was over a hundred years old based on the tightly spaced rings. Just think of all the lumber that could come out of each section and how many new homes it could help build.

Tightly spaced rings make this tree well over a hundred years old.

There are sections of road that are too steep for me to feel comfortable. Wayne rides ahead while I get off my bike to explore and take pictures. I found a Western Toad hiding in a hole. Right now her looks pretty secure, but I'm not so sure it will stay that way when huge trucks start rolling with their massive log loads.

A Western Toad in his hidey at the edge of the new logging road.

And there were still a few flowers to be seen.

Pearly Everlasting doing what it does best, lasting forever.

A bee enjoying a last few sips from a Butterfly Bush.

We stopped by the log skid and could see a boom of logs already boomed together. These came from road clearing. It's good to see nothing being wasted.

Looking down the skid to the first boom of logs.

Wayne checking his iPad GPS to see our track for the day.

Wayne using his iPad GPS for road identification and tracking.

Western Products Products has online geo-referenced maps that can be used with handheld devices. Click here to find WFP map and other road building, logging and hauling information. Click here to find information about the Avenza map app. The basic app and WFP maps are both free.

Have you been riding this fall? What are some of your favourite destinations?

Want to read more about how we use a barge to take our quads to ride the logging roads surrounding Powell Lake?

Powell Lake by Barge and Quad is available in both print and e-book formats at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca. It's also available at other online booksellers and Coles bookstore in Powell River. -- Margy

Goat Lake Barge Ride

One of our favourite spots to take the barge and quads is the head of Goat Lake.

Because of a large construction project last year at a friend's cabin, we didn't get there. This year a warm and sunny week in July was our best chance to get there while the lake level was high enough to get through Goat River's underwater rocks and tree stumps.

Barge and quad routes for Goat Lake.

We offloaded our quads at the barge ramp and out of the way for two days of camping and riding on the logging roads and trails.

Since there isn't a dock at this location, we used our empty barge for both our tent platform, lounging spot and kitchen area.

The Eldred River flows into Goat Lake. Wayne took some time to do some catch and release fishing in the rushing water.

We stopped at the Eldred Valley rock climbing location. After walking down to the river we met a climber and he pointed out friends high on the cliffs. Here's one of the steel cable lines they use to cross the river to reach the high cliffs on the other side.

This trip we tried a new road, B Branch that heads up to Emma Lake. It was a nice shady overgrown logging road in good condition for a quad. We met a pickup coming out. He was having more difficulty, especially crossing a steep sided stream.

To get to and from Goat Lake you pass through meandering Goat River. At low water it is shallow and difficult to navigate. Where Goat River empties into Powell Lake there's a stump forest where logging occurred prior to the installation of the dam in the early 1900s. Follow the markings and floating buoys to stay clear. This passage is also part of the Powell River Canoe Route.

Wayne and I share driving duties in the barge. For such a large craft it is easy to drive and maneuver. It's also very stable even in rough water. It's the best purchase we ever discovered on Craigslist.

Most people don't have a barge but that won't stop you from exploring the Eldred River area at the head of Goat Lake. Well traveled Goat Main will take you there either by truck, reliable car, or quad. -- Margy

Available Online: "Powell Lake by Barge and Quad"

Newest Release
from PowellRiverBooks.com

Powell Lake by Barge and Quad

Coastal BC Stories

Print $12.95

Kindle $1.99

Kobo $1.99

And other Online Booksellers

Wayne and I have lived in our float cabin on Powell Lake since 2001. In 2003, our good friend John introduced us to quad riding.

In the beginning, we followed John around as he introduced us to the many logging roads and trails in the Powell River region. At that time, we kept our quads on a trailer in a hangar at the airport, and drove to off-load locations.

In 2012, we tried keeping our quads a short boat ride away from our float cabin.

It made it easier to go riding, but we were limited in the roads and trails we could explore. Plus, they were exposed to the elements.

Thus began our quest for a landing craft to house and transport our quads to all of the roads and trails around Powell and Goat Lakes.

In 2014, we found a perfect 22' barge on Craigslist and quickly bought it sight unseen.

Now our quads can remain at our float cabin, ready in an instant for day trips and camping adventures.

Also, we can also maintain them better and protect them from the weather.

In Powell Lake by Barge and Quad, you can join us for quad adventures to destinations on Powell and Goat Lakes accessible only by boat. You will visit unique places where all-terrain vehicles can explore logging roads and trails in one of British Columbia’s most picturesque regions. 

Check with your favourite online bookseller or go to www.PowellRiverBooks.com for more ordering information.

Riding Pickles on Powell Lake

Approaching the Pickles barge ramp on Powell Lake.

Sounds funny, but that’s the name of a Western Forest Product’s logging site on Powell Lake. I don’t know the name's origin. Maybe it was the nickname of an old timer in nearby Henderson Bay, or some obscure gastronomic event.

We took advantage of a sunny spring day to head out with our barge and quads. Pickles is about twenty minutes from our cabin and we’ve watched with interest as road builders reopened the barge ramp and blasted their way through granite cliffs.

Burning the slash in 2008 after the first logging at Pickles.

Pickles is an isolated block. Roads offer limited riding, but there was a unique draw. After building ends, roads are left to settle for several months, letting you ride through mature forests with their robust understory before logging begins.

We didn’t have our barge when Pickles was first logged. Because quick growing alders blocked the roads, this was the first time we could ride both old and new sections.

Our barge at the Pickles dock looking up the east arm of Powell Lake.

Wayne on one of the old cleared logging roads.

On the north-south road there were views of Goat Island, First Narrows and Chippewa Bay. Loggers even had a roadside bench at the most spectacular spot. The most extensive road building was at the end of the east-west section. Here road crews had to blast their way along granite slopes (easily heard from our cabin deck). Trees logged during the road building process won’t go to waste. They are stacked and ready for removal when logging begins.

Looking north with First Narrows in the middle and Goat Island on the right.

This is the second time we’ve been able to ride new roads to experience mature forests up close. The first was at nearby Chip South. As a part of the reforestation process, new harvests in previously logged areas occur after about ten years. This allows new trees to grow and “green up” in the open areas. Western Forest Products is a responsible company that carefully manages our forests on Crown land.

A new section of road with logs waiting ready for removal.

If you want to ride in the Powell Lake region, you can contact Western Forest Products to get current information about logging activities.  In addition to the hotline listed below, there is a @WFPRoadInfo Twitter account, a Stillwater Operational Information Map (pdf updated monthly), and online information page.

Stillwater Forest Operations
201-7373 Duncan Street
Powell River, BC V8A 1W6
Office: (604) 485-3100
Road Hotline: (604) 485-3132

I invite you to come visit Powell River and enjoy quad riding in our glorious backcountry. -- Margy

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.