Majestic Blue Ridge Viewpoint

Fall weekends are a wonderful time for quad rides in the Powell River backcountry, but be on the lookout for logging trucks that might still be working.

Don't have a quad or bike? Many of the trips along logging roads can be taken by jeep, truck, or even car if you are careful and know when to stop.

Blue Ridge is a great choice. To get there, you take Haslam Steet out of Cranberry to Duck Lake Forest Service Road. At the south end of Duck Lake you make a left and cross the bridge where Lang Creek tumbles on its way to Malaspina Strait. We like to park a few miles up the road at the trailhead for Mud Lake.

Here we offload our quads and follow the road to the Granite Lake turnoff. The road narrows then becomes a trail past Granite Lake up to the viewpoint called Blue Ridge. The last portion of the trail was built by our friend John and his quad buddies. Wayne calls them the "Pruners of the Wilderness" and you can read all about their trail building expertise in the Coastal BC Stories book Up the Main.

From Blue Ridge you can look down on the deep blue waters of March Lake surrounded by the vibrant green of the forest. Look to the northwest and see Haslam Lake winding its way down towards Powell River to provide them with cool, refreshing drinking water. Yes, that's John's famous dog Bro.

Look to the west across Malaspina Strait to Texada Island and Vancouver Island beyond. People talk about the beauty of places like Yosemite, and how enthralling it is to see the valley as it stretches below framed by El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. The Powell River backcountry isn't a national park, but I think its beauty can rival any of them. What do you think?

Up the Main takes you into Powell River's backcountry and surrounding areas. Of the 20 chapters, eight take you on quad, motorbike or bicycle rides to exciting destinations in the bush. Five chapters let you experience life in a floating cabin on Powell Lake, four take you boating or kayaking on nearby lakes and the ocean, two let you view the stars through a 8" telescope in some of the best dark sky in the world, and one wings you high above Coastal BC in a Piper Arrow. So come along with us "up the main" for an adventure you won't forget. -- Margy