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Trekking Tales: Driving over Vavenby Mountain

On the sunny Saturday afternoon of the August long weekend, weeding was neglected in favour of extending our explorations of backcountry roads

On the sunny Saturday afternoon of the August long weekend, weeding was neglected in favour of extending our explorations of backcountry roads. Turning onto the gravel surface of Lost Creek - Birch Island Road we drove by familiar ranches and tourist attractions. The “gypsy wagon,” a practical abode for the shepherd in the mountains with Moilliet’s sheep, was near the homestead, a large herd in a nearby pasture.

Heading up narrow and winding Vavenby Mountain Forest Service Road, we were on the route taken to visit shepherd and sheep in the past. “Take the right fork,” instructed John. Being a dutiful wife (on occasion!) I ignored my instinct to go left. On and on we went, even though it was soon apparent we hadn’t been here before. Our book of maps showed possibilities of getting through - and it didn’t matter anyway. I knew how to turn the car around!

The North Thompson River Valley dropped away on our right, Raft Peak adding craggy undulations beyond its pointed peak. The Trophies, Clearwater River Valley and more stretched out beyond. Closer to us, brilliant red Indian Paintbrush lined our route. Higher up, lupins still bloomed and buckbrush sported white blossoms within its shiny foliage. Fairly recent logging had added bumps and puddles to sections of an otherwise solid surface; mining exploration is also happening there now. Although continuing along this road was tempting, when it became narrower, we turned back, now admiring the gentle slopes of forested mountains east of us.

“Okay! Let’s go this way ...” All was immediately familiar, including a small lake below the road and a craggy mountain above us. Eventually going down and down, we left known territory and talking about the intrepid drivers who had followed locals over this narrow, winding, rough road when the recent spill blocked Highway 5. At Saskum Lake we wandered in to the well-used Forestry Recreation Site. Swimmers out on a huge rock waved happily.

Still on gravel roads, wider now, we drove beside North Barriere Lake. Suddenly I had a yen for ice cream. “They’ll have some,” I stated, spotting a sign for the resort. No such luck.

“Ice cream melts before I can get it here,” I was told. (I probably pouted!) What they did have was an overloaded campground - RVs, boats, tents and kids mixed together, the change in the weather so welcome. Almost next door, the Forestry Rec. Site was equally crowded. We drove out the wrong way to avoid disturbing games being played in the middle of the “right” road.

A paved road met us at the next stop sign but ended as we swung left towards East Barriere Lake. After driving through a lush valley, we reached the end of the lake. “Cottage” is too small a word to describe the large summer residences around the lake’s edges. Summer fun was in full swing as we left, retracing our steps to the paved road and on into Barriere.

During our fine meal at the pizza place I suggested continuing our back roads theme along Dunn Lake Road. “Let’s do it. There’s plenty of daylight left.” Enjoyable and attractive as that drive always is, this time it was an expensive alternative. A flat tire brought us to a halt on a short, steep hill. By backing the car to the level spot just below us, I unwittingly destroyed the tire. (Changing the tire was the closest we came to difficulties indicated by the word “trek”!)

 

“That super drive was worth it,” said John as we paid for the new tire a few days later. Even easy treks are good....