Saturday, September 19, 2015

Chip North to Theodosia by ATV

Chip North Logging Roads
Wayne and I usually go quad riding together, but this time I opted to stay with the barge to get some sun and hike the lower roads.

The reason, Wayne and our good friend John were going to ride in steep locations at Chip North on Powell Lake and fresh cut areas with steep slopes make me uncomfortable.

We put our two Yamaha 450s sideways on the barge to make room for John's big Suzuki KingQuad 750. Configured that way, we had room to spare.

The easiest place on Powell Lake to load quads is  Kinsman Beach near the Shinglemill Marina. We land the barge on the shore and lower our ramps. Except on holidays or hot summer afternoons, it isn't busy.

John rides with his big Lab Bro in a cushioned aft box. Bro can sit or lie down, but if there's a bear he's up and howling like an emergency siren.

Chip (Chippewa) North is a fairly new logging area with main roads wide enough for the big off-highway logging trucks called Fat Trucks. The barge ramp is in excellent condition. At the time of this post, the dock is usable but has a sunken spot in the middle.

One advantage of new logging roads is that the sides are open, affording great views. Here's Powell Lake from the road that switchbacks and climbs up the steep slope towards the distant ridge.

On the upper logging road near a stream, they cleared a blockage.  From there, an old logging road continues west following the stream towards Theodosia Inlet. With John in the lead, they were able to continue up the partially overgrown road.

Just before a slash in the Theodosia area, they came upon old logging trucks abandoned in the bush. Such finds are always exciting.



John loves to check out old equipment.

Rather than continue, they reversed course. While they rode, I relaxed and read. My only regret was not seeing the old equipment.

At this time, Chip North is inactive. If you need information about active logging in the Powell Lake area, contact the Western Forest Products office at (604) 485-3100 or the hotline at (604) 485-3132. -- Margy

8 comments:

  1. I love the old rusty vehicles.

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    1. They are so much fun to discover in the bush. Of course, John knows how to steer a course directly to them. - Margy

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  2. Looks like gorgeous scenery along the old logging roads and coming across old equipment would be really interesting.

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    1. It's amazing how much stuff has been abandoned in the bush around here. They may be junk, but I see them as treasures. - Margy

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  3. What a wonderful journey!
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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    1. Wish I could have gone with the guys, but my fear of heights just keeps me away from some of the good stuff. - Margy

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  4. I'd be a little skittish about riding in newer steep rocky areas. Would love to find old equipment in the brush. Your veggies in your previous post look great.
    MB

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    1. I'm skittish too, but at least a quad doesn't sense your fear like a horse does. That used to be even worse for me. - Margy

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We welcome your comments and questions. - Wayne and Margy