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

Treasure Hunting in the Bush

The Powell River backcountry is dotted with treasures from times gone by. Go hiking, biking, or quadding and you'll discover old logging equipment, homesteads, plank roads, train trestles, cabins, and much more. Over the years, our friend John has led us to some exciting places where history lives on, like a natural museum.

Powell Lake's slopes have been logged since the late 1800s. The first stop on this tour is Chippewa Bay in the northwest corner of the lower lake. Here there's a logging dock and barge ramp. Nearby, Museum Main heads uphill to two abandoned Steam Donkeys.

Steam Donkey #1 is close to the main. It may be rusted, but it's still standing and surrounded by bits and pieces of logging history.

Steam Donkey #1 along Museum Main.

Steam Donkey #2 is farther up the main and reached by a trail through a logging slash and second growth trees. Steam donkeys were used in early days to pull trees out of the forest and down to the lake for transport. You can still see wood stacked by Donkey #2 ready to stoke the fire to produce steam power.

Steam Donkey #2 is reached by a trail. Photo credit to John.

East of the Chippewa dock is a place we call The Point. Before the dam there was a logging camp here along the shore. When the lake level is low, you can see bits of pottery and parts of an old woodstove wedged against a stump.

Oriental crockery at The Point in Chippewa Bay at low water.

While it's possible to get to the steam donkeys by boat and a long steep climb, to reach the old shovels on Heather Main an offroad motorcycle or quad is best. Heather Main links Theodosia Inlet and Chippewa Bay so you can reach the shovels from either side. I guess the cost of removal must have outweighed their value.

Bucyrus Erie shovel on Heather Main.

Water from Powell Lake is important for power generation at the paper mill. Monitoring the snow pack in the early days helped determine if there would be enough water to get through summer. The first snow cabin is along the east shore at the Head. The second is in the high country reached by logging road and trail.

Snow cabin along the shore at the head of Powell Lake.

At the Head there's an old shake block cutter's camp from the 40s or 50s. The cabin has fallen, but the outhouse made of cedar slabs still stands. The area is reached from the lakeside at low water or cross country through undergrowth from the main.

Outhouse from cedar slabs.

Probably a root cellar at the shake block cutter's camp at the Head.

Around Powell Lake there are logging docks and barge ramps that give access to the backcountry. On the west side of the lake between First Narrows and Olsen's Landing is a fairly new dock called Chip (Chippewa) North. The lower section was logged not long ago, but the upper part of the main connects to an old logging road that heads to Theodosia Inlet. Nearing Theo, old trucks have been left abandoned.

Old trucks on abandoned logging road between Powell Lake and Theodosia.

Another relic is on the south side of Goat Island near the Dunn Dock. We landed our boat on the sandy shore and walked up an old logging road a short distance. There we found this old winch from early logging days.

Winch on south side of Powell Lake.

There are lots of historic places to discover around Powell River. Each has a story to tell, and it's wonderful that people have left the artifacts in place for others to enjoy. If you want to learn more about the history of Powell River here are a few links.

Powell River Historical Museum
Powell River Forestry Museum
www.VanishingHistory.com
Willingdon Beach Trail

If you want to know more about exploring the Powell River backcountry by quad, contact the Powell River ATV Club.

Click the image to the right to enlarge for contact information. -- Margy

Goat Main Quad Ride to Windsor Lake

Summer is a good time to ride Goat Main and stop at some of the beautiful lakes in the Powell River backcountry for a picnic or refreshing swim. The many camping options along this route make it perfect to stay and ride for multiple days.

Goat Main is a well maintained major logging road that can be reached by exiting Highway 101 south of Powell River at Dixon Road. Access is on weekends or after 6:00 pm. But always be watchful for logging trucks and other vehicles.

This location can be accessed by truck, or even a car if care is taken while driving on the dirt road.

Starting at the south end of Lois Lake, the Main follows a chain of lakes that comprise the majority of the Powell River Forest Canoe Route.

Canoe dock at Windsor portage.

We like to break up our quad rides by stopping to hike farther into the bush. And around Powell River, you don't have to go far to find some pretty spectacular places.

On a recent ride we took the side road off Goat Main that runs between Dodd and Windsor Lakes.

We left our bikes at the trailhead and walked the short canoe portage route to the head of Windsor.



It may be a little hike, but the vistas are huge.

Be sure to look both up and down. Some of the most beautiful things are right there at your feet.

After a lunch break, we headed back to Goat Main and proceeded a short distance north to the far end of Windsor Lake.

Lake access at the north end of Windsor.

On the northwest side there's another access spot with a wide gravel area, rough small boat launch, and an unofficial picnic and camping spot. But with well maintained lakeside forestry campsites available at nearby Dodd and Nanton Lakes, this spot is more for day use.

Summer isn't the only time to enjoy a ride on Goat Main. A sunny winter day, even a foggy one, brings beautiful things to see.


Want to read more about quad riding in this beautiful country? Go to PowellRiverBooks.com and take a look at Up the Main, Farther Up the Main, and Wayne's newest book Beyond the Main. All are available in print and Kindle formats from Amazon.com.  Or check with your e-book vendor for other formats. -- Margy