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Trip Report |
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Carey Lakes 21-8-2011 As seems to be the norm for trips this so called summer, the weather forecast for Sunday was not looking very good. However, despite the gloomy outlook 10 club members took the chance that the forecasters were full of BS and, luckily, that turned out to be the case. We had no trouble at the gate where we were informed that there would be no logging trucks to encounter on our way to the trailhead. The road to the point where it transitions to the 800 Branch was in good condition with very few potholes. At the start of the steep climb the road was still in good condition but, with the loose gravel and steep incline, it was hard going on 4WD cars with no low range gearing. Our 1 truck and two SUV's did make it safely to the start of the trail with no damage, other than a few chunks of rubber left beside the road. The route in was, in fact, more off trail than on trail and, although well flagged in most places, the bushwhacking made for harder going than the trip description had indicated. This coupled with the hot humid conditions, along with the clouds of flies and mosquitoes, most probably made the trip a bit more memorable for some of us. My back is still itching where the little critters were blood sucking around the areas where my pack straps were pressing against my shirt. Ken and Geoff both did some trail clipping along the route and added more flagging where necessary. Enough of the doom and gloom. The weather was great and we had lots of sunshine to brighten up some spectacular scenery. In places were were still walking on over 1 metre of snow with lots of ice still on some of the lakes. Our lunch break was on an open rocky area with great views towards the Comox Glacier and Iceberg Peak. Thankfully, the breeze kept the flies away. Our return trip, following a different route around the upper lake, brought us down to a fast flowing waterfall right beside the trail. We had a five minute break to enjoy the scenery and for me to take another 25 pictures. More bushwhacking, and eating of sundry flies and mosquitoes, brought us back to our 3 vehicles by 5:40PM and then an uneventful drive back to Courtenay. My apologies to Wendy for the (all trail) description on the trip schedule page. More photos are available for viewing.  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo]  [Tim Penney photo] Report contributors: Tim P, Participant list (10 of 10): Geoff B, Paula F, Jackie G, Marianne M, Harold O, Tim P, Ken R, Wendy S, Keith W, Otto W, (G) = public guest (L) = lapsed member |