Arrowsmith Lake to Cameron Lake...

I only had three hours today, so I blasted down to the Englishman River bridge and tried to find a link up from Arrowsmith Lake to Cameron Lake.  While I didn't make it all the way, I am glad to report that the logging companies are redoing the road and, if it isn't passable now, it may well be in a month or so...

Here are the maps:

These trails are mainly soft soil with jagged crush and upended sticks. They're good, but will get better as they finish working on them.  Currently the road construction is taking place all over the place here, but the equipment (graders and the like are stored near the new trail being engineered.)



From the Englishman River Bridge to the potential Cameron Lake trail linkup.  The logging company is currently recommissioning all these roads, and while they're really soft with sharp rocks and sticks on them, they should be great in a few weeks...

To the north is the aborted attempt at getting through from Cameron Lake last week with Andy; at the bottom the new roads being constructed...hope?

More detail of the trails between Cameron Lake and the southern route I tried today.

An overview of the two trails.

Not much to say except I wish I had brought my good camera.  The views of Mount Arrowsmith were quite stunning.  I thought about going up to Arrowsmith Lake, as so many other dirt bikers look to have done recently (judging by the work around and tracks), but the sign was very explicit about

surveillance cameras and patrols..., probably by helicopter judging by the heli-pad.  That could be costly.  Glad I saw last year before the sign was up.

Here are some selected pictures of nothing in particular except to highlight some areas:

The roads are great in places, particularly a km after Arrowsmith Lake where the logging companies are laying crush and compacting it down.  Once it is being used it will become more stable; as it sits right now, there's a little movement but nothing to worry about.

The grades are easy enough, and look much worse on GE than in real life.  But don't spin out to the right: it's a looonnng way down...

A view up the Englishman Valley: from whence you have come!

Mount Arrowsmith

Parksville Qualicum area from

Really, Arrowsmith looked much more impressive when not looking through a fish eye lens!

It was fast and fun riding today.

I think I will try for the wholeshot soon, with a visit to Rowbottham Lake included.  The purpose of today's trip was really to explore this area and to finish my pink gas off, but the damn bike just sips it!  I will change the air filter tomorrow though, there was dust everywhere from the NW wind.  I only saw one other vehicle: a road bike!  He was going very gingerly with both feet out and full leathers.  Boy, I bet he was sweating it in more ways than one.

 Finally, as I came back through the tank traps and worked around a couple of large puddles, I was flagged down by a very relieved quadder, Scott, who had blown his engine and flattened his tires.  He wanted a tow, but it was no go with one wheel drive.  The quad looked fairly forlorn in the middle of a huge puddle - it only had 50 hours on it.  I took some numbers, got to cell range and phoned his wife and best friend Travis to collect him and his quad.  It did bring it home that you can get stuck anywhere, and always have a provisions in place.  I now carry my emergency tin with me everywhere I go with two condoms for water and Viagra for courage (Just checking you're reading, mum :-).

Paul