Fog. Hurley River Rd towards Gold Bridge, BC.
I spent the last 3 days almost completely unplugged. We left early Wednesday morning and drove towards Whistler, then took a random forest service road to see where it would take us. It took us, it turns out, 8 miles up and then put us into 3 feet of slushy snow from which we spent 30 minutes extricating ourselves via shovel, jack, and dead tree branches laid down for traction. Backtracking, we explored every small path and side-road until we found ourselves camped on the shore of a tiny little lake. We spent two day decompressing, enjoying the silence, some comfort food and a couple nice bottles of wine, before striking camp this morning, early, in pouring rain. We spent today on more trails and eventually the Hurley River road, which just opened for the season, and took us through fog and snow (it’s June!), before dropping us in Gold Bridge, where we filled up with gas, and turned around to head home. I took a few photographs with the iPhone. I let the rest of my creativity go into words as I worked on a book project that I aim to finish this weekend. Wet. Tired. And blissed out. That was fun! Have a great weekend, y’all.
Click the thumbnails below for a full-sized contact sheet to view.
Comments
Love these roadtrip posts David, they are inspiring and make me itch to get out and explore.
Mark, I did not. Tempting, but a wee bit cold and no easy way to make a quick entry and/or exit. Next time. Maybe.
One question : did you swim in the lake? 🙂
Sounds blissful! Looks a lot like my home state of Maine. It can be so refreshing to unplug once in awhile.
Can’t wait to hear about the new book!
Dave,
What a wonderful trip! And what wonderful photos! I have always wanted to go to Whistler. It is high up on our dream travel list. Thanks for sharing.
William – If you need a local to help you with your relocation, or a recommendation on roof top tents, let me know.
DaveB, you’re from Winnipeg, you should recognize that white stuff. No, no fishing line, though I suspect there’d be some trout in there. I haven’t been fishing in years, but that would have been the spot!
by unplugged… I am thinking you are referring to that wine bottle????
…and seeing Emily in her rooftop and sunshade mode is perfect…. but what’s with that white stuff…
…do I see a fishing line leading out into the lake… yum yum fresh
Very nice adventure! I spent a few weeks last summer up in the West Kootenays photographing an Expedition Race and absolutely fell in love with the place. Now to figure out how to move there.. 🙂
I own a Jeep as well and love the idea of the camper tent thingie on top. Totally have to look into one of those!
Sounds like an awesome adventure David. Sometimes the best thing for us is just to get lost somewhere. My buddy and I are doing just this in Nepal next year. It’s going to be a great photographic experience and just as good adventure. Have a good weekend!
We spent a few days in BC last summer, we really wanted to get to whistler but ran out of time. Can’t wait to go back soon. Thanks for sharing the experience
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Thanks David – what a reminder of home! We are in sunny South of France and I was up early taking shots in the back streets of Villefranche. At my age I shake my head at technology – you writing your book on computer in the woods and my keeping family up to date with photos from France and reading Vancouver Sun on iphone!!!
Great series David. Thanks so much for sharing your camp out!
Awesome contact sheet of images! Makes me wish I was that geared up for camping, but all in due time. Two observations, if you had attempted this in America, first you would have needed a photograph of the thirty-plus maps now required to decipher which National Forest roads are actually open (because, you know, it’s so much easier for the Forest Service to just say they are all closed unless marked as open – lazy politics), and second, being Memorial Day Weekend, some heavy Photoshopping would have been required to remove the mass crowds! Glad you guys had fun.
Dan – I plan to return to Gold Bridge. Looks like there’s at least a few days worth of bumping around the back roads with cameras and tripods. Lovely place to live, though gas is a bit of a pain in the arse to find! 🙂
Ah I know where that camp site is! You must have passed within feet of my house. Gold Bridge / Bralorne area is lovely at this time of year. Can I suggest you also take a look at the camp ground at Tyax lodge next time you are in Gold Bridge. Stunning views and lots of great trials around.