Trip 023 - April 29-30, 2010 (Thursday - Friday)Squamish River Forest Service RoadS-Main Branch |
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Distance From Vancouver to the start of the FSR: 85-90 km via Highway 1 West and Highway 99 North (Sea-To-Sky), then, as you are driving on Highway 99 through Squamish, turn left to Squamish Valley Road and drive for about 25-30 minutes until it ends, and Squamish River Forest Service Road begins.
Liked:
Tranquility, natural beauty, friendliness of fellow backcountry
travelers.
Of note: Very rough road with numerous potholes. Remote wilderness area with few people around and no cell phone coverage. Possible logging in the area. Road subject to washout. Large stones fall onto the road. Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (2010 edition) Coordinates for the Beginning of the FSR: Page 22 (Squamish) A3. Related Website: District of Squamish FSR Conditions. Nearby FSR Trips: Squamish River Ashlu, Squamish River Ashlu Second Trip, Squamish River E-Main, Squamish River FSR Washout. Other Forest Service Roads Trips: Chehalis (by Harrison Mills), Chilliwack Bench, Chilliwack Foley, Chilliwack Lake, Chuchinka-Colbourne (North of Prince George), Clear Creek (off Harrison East), Florence Lake (access to Stave Lake by Mission), Harrison East, Harrison East Second Trip, Harrison West, Jones Lake (near Hope), Lost Creek (by Mission), Mamquam River (by Squamish), Nahatlatch (near Boston Bar), Parsnip West (by Mackenzie), Scuzzy (by Boston Bar), Shovel Creek (off Harrison East), Sowaqua Creek (by Hope), Windfall Creek (by Tumbler Ridge).
Follow @ihikebc Tweet Squamish Valley Road suddenly ended and a rough road began. It was the beginning of Squamish River Forest Service Road. It is marked in miles from Squamish (thank you, "103 Hikes in Southwestern British Columbia"), unusual for our province (2014 update - Squamish River FSR is now marked in kilometers from the beginning of the FSR seen in photo #1). BC Hydro power generating station followed shortly, with a nicely paved stretch of the road to match, and then the potholes and simply very rough surface returned. We drove past the 25 mile sign and parked in one of the many side pockets next to Squamish River. As you are driving, there are numerous side roads to explore, preferably in a 4x4 or, better yet, an ATV. There are a few large information stands along the road with the area map, but they are virtually useless due to very unclear road markings and the lack of the "you are here" indicators. That day we walked for a few kilometers ahead, then came back and decided to hike forward the next day. From about 3 PM on the day of arrival (Thursday) until the end of the day on Friday, we saw at most ten people driving by, as well as two fishermen with an inflatable boat. When the night came, there was almost total darkness, the noise of the flowing river, and probably no one around for miles and miles. The next day, we drove a bit forward until around the 29 mile sign, and then walked to the 40 mile sign and back, for a total of 22 miles (35 kilometers). Saw a few people camping, and met with several armed men on ATVs. Squamish River Forest Service Road offers many great views, which could be missed, if driving in a vehicle. To avoid driving on such a rough surface, you can park at the beginning of the road by the Squamish River FSR sign, and bike for about 65-70 kilometers until it apparently ends. 1. The entrance to Squamish River Forest Service Road. There is a good parking area next to this sign, where you can sleep overnight, and then bike on the road, if you don't feel like driving.
2. The road is rough, with many potholes.
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Other Trips in Squamish Area:
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ihikebc.com Trip 023 - Squamish River Forest Service Road