To dynamically explore my GPS track on Google Earth (in a web browser), click on this picture below. Wait for Google Maps to upload the GPS data. If you expand the Time Line arrow, you can then move the arrow on the right to see where we were and when. To pivot the image, put your mouse over a spot on the map, and hold down your shift key, then move the mouse.

Some out-of-date guide books describe the Roe Creek Road as difficult to drive. Actually, it is in wonderful condition, and in good weather can be managed by 2-wheel drive vehicles (if you don’t mind logging roads). As we approached our car at the end of our hike we could hear a huge mechanical clatter, and a road grader rumbled by. Even the spur above the Roe Creek Main was being levelled.

If you are interested in skiing here in the winter, a well known destination is the Brew Hut. For information about going there visit the Varsity Outdoor Club Brew Hut Wiki page.

For images and video from this hike, please see the previous blog entry.

On Thursday, 2011 October 27 the forecast was for a sunny break in the wet weather. We decided to play hooky and go for a hike.

There is a winter route for skiers from the Roe Creek Road to the meadows leading to Brew Mountain. We wanted to explore it before it was covered with snow. We could see that the recent precipitation had fallen as snow on the upper regions of all the local mountains. As we drove up the Roe Creek road, and then on a logging road above it, we were surprised that our parking spot, at 3300 feet, was already covered with fresh snow. All day we walked in a few inches of new dry snow. The occasional splashes of sunlight was magical in those old growth forests.

These are some videos and still pictures. The background music is by Kevin MacLeod, http://incompetech.com.

To explore the GPS route of this hike, please see the next blog entry.

BowenLIFT is working to make ride-sharing and hitchhiking once again part of the friendly culture of Bowen Island. In addition to being neighbourly, it also contributes to reducing our carbon footprint.

New Lift Stop by RCMP on Miller Road

Lift Stop at B.I. Trunk Rd. and Senior Rd

This week five Lift Stops have appeared around Snug Cove. These were installed by the Municipality. The plan is to have about 25 of these around the Island.

This concept was developed successfully by the folks on Pender Island.

The sign lists the basic hitchhiking protocols (in rhyme):

• Drivers don’t have to take the first in line,
• You’re not obliged to accept a ride that’s fine.
• You Accept a ride at your own risk,
• But the ride is free, so consider it a gift

Aboard the Queen of Capilano the BowenLIFT and Rotary volunteers prepare materials for the next BowenLIFT presentation

On the ferry the BowenLIFT volunteers distributed vehicle mirror-hangers which drivers could exhibit to indicate that they were offering rides — the colour of the hanger signal the destination. Soon there will be badges with lanyards for hitchhikers to wear to show that they’d like rides.

If you enjoyed the taste of the Chillbillies music in the video above, here is the complete 20-minute set of their concert during one of the trips from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove.

If you’re humming along with the music, and you’d prefer sing, click to see the next pane with the lyrics… 

Lyrics for the songs sung by the Chillbillies
On the passenger deck of The Queen of Capilano

Brown Eyed Girl
By Van Morrison

Hey, where did we go
Days when the rains came?
Down in the hollow
Playin’ a new game

Laughin’ and a-runnin’, hey hey
Skippin’ and a-jumpin’
In the misty mornin’ fog
With our, our hearts a-thumpin’

And you, my brown eyed girl
You my brown eyed girl

And whatever happened
To Tuesday and so slow
Going down the old mine
With a transistor radio

Standin’ in the sunlight laughin’
Hidin’ behind a rainbow’s wall
Slippin’ and a-slidin’
All along the waterfall

With you, my brown eyed girl
You my brown eyed girl

Do you remember when
We used to sing?
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
Just like that
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
La te da

[Banjo solo]

So hard to find my way
Now that I’m all on my own
I saw you just the other day
My, how you have grown

Cast my memory back there Lord
Sometimes I’m overcome thinkin’ ’bout it
Makin’ love in the green grass
Behind the stadium
With you, my brown eyed girl
You my brown eyed girl

Do you remember when
We used to sing?
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
(Lyin’ in the green grass!)
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
(Bit by bit by bit by bit by bit by bit)
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da
(Sha la la la la, la la la la, la te da, la te da, la te da, da da da)
Sha la la, la la, la la, la la, l-la te da

Ferry announcement by Fitch Cady

I’ve Just Seen A Face
By: Lennon/McCartney

I’ve just seen a face
I can’t forget the time or place where we just met
she’s just the girl for me
and I want all the world to see we’ve met
Ai di di di di

Had it been another day
I might have looked the other way
and I’d have never been aware
but as it is I’ll dream of her tonight
La la la la la la

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
me back again

I have never known the like of this
I’ve been alone and I have missed things
and kept out of sight
for other girls were never quite like this
Da da da da da da

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
me back again
Yeah, pa pa pa pa

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
me back again

[Violin solo]

I’ve just seen a face
I can’t forget the time or place where we just met
she’s just the girl for me
and I want all the world to see we’ve met
Mm mm mm mm mm mm

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
me back again
Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
me back again
Oh, falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling
me back again

Fitch Cady explains BowenLIFT to the gathering on the passenger deck

Providence Ferry
By: Joe Charron

I swing a hammer but you know I’d rather
hang my slicker where the boat men gather
I have heard angels singing “Sweet Alleluja”
high on the riggin’.

Oh yes and I’ll be ready when they
call my number I’m a gonna get a
one way ticket on the “Providence Ferry”
gonna carry me home and I’m a gonna let it
oooo____.

[Accordion solo]

Set on down it’s an ancient rhythm better
listen to the music and the name you’re given
Joe was a carpenter that’s for certain gonna sing that tune till they
bring down the curtain

Oh yes and I’ll be ready when they
call my number I’m a gonna get a
one way ticket on the “Providence Ferry”
gonna carry me home and I’m a gonna let it
oooo____.

[Mandolin solo]

Rock my soul, out on the water
safe in the bosom of the oceans daughter
Rope and canvas, oak and pine gonna carry me over to the
other side…

Oh yes and I’ll be ready when they
call my number I’m a gonna get a
one way ticket on the “Providence Ferry”
gonna carry me home and I’m a gonna let it
oooo____.

carry me home and I’m gonna let it
carry me home and I’m gonna let it
carry me home…. and I’m gonna let it.

The Hank Set

Jambalaya
By: Hank Williams Jr.

Goodbye Joe, me gotta go, me oh my oh
Me gotta go pole the pirogue down the bayou
My Yvonne, the sweetest one, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have good fun on the bayou

Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.

[Banjo solo]

Thibodeaux, Fontainbleau, the place is buzzin’
Kinfolk come to see Yvonne by the dozen
Dress in style, go hog wild, me oh my oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.

Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a file gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.

[Mandolin solo]

Settle down far from town get him a pirogue
And he’ll catch all the fish on the bayou
Swap his mon to buy Yvonne what she need-o
Son of a gun we’ll have big fun on the bayou

Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a fillet gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.
[Mandolin]

Jambalaya, a-crawfish pie and-a fillet gumbo
‘Cause tonight I’m gonna see my ma cher amio
Pick guitar, fill fruit jar and be gay-oh
Son of a gun, we’ll have big fun on the bayou.

Hey, Good Lookin’
By: Hank Williams Jr.

Say, Hey, Good Lookin’, whatcha got cookin’
How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me …
I said, hey, sweet baby, don’t you think maybe
We could find us a brand new recipe.

I got a hot rod Ford and a two dollar bill
And I know a spot right over the hill
There’s soda pop and the dancin’s free
So if you wanna have fun come along with me.

Say Hey, Good Lookin’, whatcha got cookin’
How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me.

[Mandolin & Violin solo]

I’m free and ready so we can go steady
How’s makin’ steady plans for me
No more lookin’, I know I’ve been (*tooken)
How’s about keepin’ steady company.

I’m gonna toss my Powerbook over the fence
And find me one for five or ten cents.
I’ll keep it ’til it’s covered with age
‘Cause I’m writin’ your name down on ev’ry page.

Say Hey, Good Lookin’, whatcha got cookin’
How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me.

Say Hey, Good Lookin’, whatcha got cookin’
How’s about cookin’ somethin’ up with me.

Yesterday, October 8, I was invited to join a group that was going to hike to the summit of Anvil: Leading Peak. The guide book promised a 5-hour return trip from the dock on Anvil. Since the vertical climb was only a little more than Mt. Gardner on my Bowen Island, it seemed like an easy hike. The truth is that, while it is just a hike, there are some steep scrambles, and the day is much more of a workout than the statistics would suggest. The weather has been wet. The forecast said that the rain would hold off until the end of the day. If you plan to do this hike, I suggest it will be much easier if you go when the many roots and slick rock are dry.

To see my pictures, please proceed to the next pane…

The Bowen Island hikers were picked in Snug Cove at 9 AM. We stopped at Sunset Marina for the mainlanders and headed for Anvil Island

We had made arrangements to begin our hike at the Daybreak Point Bible Camp dock. The weather was improving.

If you look carefully at the skyline, there is a white dot at the top of the highest bluff in the above image. This is a well-known feature on Anvil Island, called The Whitespot.

As soon as we left the fairly level ground of the bible camp, we began to ascend many steep pitches on slippery roots and slimy rocks

It is possible to take a short side trip to the dome of rock above the Whitespot. It is a good place for a break

The next part of the hike is a pleasant ramble northward across the upper part of Anvil Island to a small lake at about 2000 feet elevation.

Shortly after the lake, from a small dome, there is a glimpse of Leading Peak less than a kilometre away. For non-climbers, seeing this destination is a daunting moment

After that view of the summit, the trail leads down into a broad valley and then up into a steep-sided notch just to the west of the peak. Having glimpsed the terrain ahead, some of our group decided this was a far as they would go today

The trail led out of the notch and around to the north aspect of Leading Peak. The first section was broad and easy hiking

The traverse ended here, and it was time to go up to the summit

This pitch was the end of the line for the dog. There is a rope, but it is thin and didn't provide as much security as we would have liked

For the next few pitches my hands were too busy scrambling to be taking pictures. Also, because the weather was closing in and we’d decided on a 1:45 PM turn-around time, we were moving as quickly as we could. We walked onto the top at 1:47 PM.

The helicopter pad at the summit of Leading Peak. The high mountain to the east (centre of the picture) is Deeks Peak

Although the weather was closing in, we (backcountry skiers) were pleased to see fresh snow on Mt. Garibaldi

The forest on the upper plateau of Anvil Island has some beautiful flowers and a grand carpet of moss.

The root down. We appreciated the available vegetable belays

After a surprisingly tiring hike, at the end there is still all of those slippery scrambles below the White Spot.

We had used a cell phone to ask Cormorant Marine to pick us up at 5:30 PM instead of 3:30 PM. The rain just began as we arrived at the dock. The Bowen Arrow is the newest and most comfortable launch in the Cormorant fleet.

The theme for Bowfest 2011 was ‘Under the Sea.’ Here is a collection of video shots and images of the day. On August 27 the day began with the Run for Rwanda, and then the Bowfest Parade down the main street of Bowen Island. The festival grounds were in Crippen Park adjacent to Snug Cove. It was a sunny mild day. Your reporter spent most of the day at the BowenLIFT Pavilion.

As we approached the end of the Roe Creek Rd. and had our first glimpse of the slopes we'd climb, we saw we'd be on snow most of the time

The guide book, Scrambles, by Matt Gunn described the logging road up Roe Creek as a horror. Water bars begin at 6.8 km, and at 9 km a washout makes it impassable. The last 2-1/2 km must be walked. And then the hiking begins with a bushwhack down to the creek, followed by a reported hair raising boulder-hop across the torrent. Last Sunday (Aug 7) we decided to reconnoiter. The good news is: the whole road is easily navigated with a 4×4. The washout has been graded and the water bars are gone.   The whole road is probably passable with a 2-wheel drive. The images are thumbnails — please click to see full size.

We parked just past the last cut block. We chose that because the trip down to the creek seemed shorter than the end of the road.

It was easy to find our way up Roe Creek to the snow

After some thrashing around, we found a very helpful path at 50º 02′ 09.6″ N 123º 13′ 24.6″. It leaves the road just past a little bridge and heads down through the old growth forest to Roe Cr.

The flow on that side of the main Creek was fairly benign, and all we had to do was rock-hop until we found enough snow to support us. Most of the rest of the hike was on sometimes-steep snow. Lovely, and no bugs.

Lunch Rock below Cypress Peak, view of Black Tusk

Reclining Balance Rock enjoying the view

When we turned back we were only about 1000 feet below Cypress Peak. The top would have been a fairly easy destination if we’d started earlier.

Even without climbing to a summit, it was an enjoyable day in a beautiful location.

Walking towards the North-East facing cliffs of Cypress Peak

A couple of last comments. I see that I now have posted 301 blog articles at this site. And, since this blog was meant to be a short-term experiment, I never imagined that I’d leave a trail that is this long.

I’ve been to Cypress Peak before. My story of a ski trip to that mountain, with an approach from the other side, is here: Tabblo essay.

If you live around Vancouver, you might think that Cypress Mountain is a hill on the North Shore. Actually, there is no such mountain by that name. There is a resort that calls itself Cypress Mountain because it is within Cypress Provincial Park. This is the real nearby Cypress Peak.

There is already a potential Lift Stop at the bottom of Cates Hill

If there were a culvert for the ditch above Senior Road, this might be a pullout

Several locations were visited and discussed.

Daphne Laureola - 11 Bundles - RIP

After a week there is still Daphne here. But…

There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago

Celebrating the holiday scraping moss off my roof