Trip
Reports
Bike
Trip - TCT Across BC:
1.Vancouver
Island
2.West Vancouver
to Coquitlam
3.Coquitlam to
Albion Ferry
4.Albion Ferry to
Cultus Lake
5.Keith Wilson
Bridge to Hope
6.Hope to Princeton
7.Princeton to
Penticton
8.Penticton to
Creston
9.Creston to Alberta
border
4.
Albion Ferry to Cultus Lake (June 16 / 2001)
Langley
Albion Ferry (Fort Langley) to Lefeuvre Road (Abbotsford
boundary): 1 hour
The entire day from Fort Langley to Cultus Lake took about 8 hours. The
route was mostly flat and easy to follow with a few notable exceptions.
I did have the directions taken from the web site, but without a map,
I sometimes went off track. The route through Fort Langley is straightforward.
I remained on the road until Nathan Creek. Cross the creek and take the
East dike path southward. When you reach the first locked gate take the
road heading east. This is Marsh-McCormick Road (80th Avenue) and it is
not signed on this end. When you reach the first intersection crossing
(with 272nd Street) keep going straight eastward. You will soon reach
Lefeuvre Road just past the Abbotsford boundary. I enjoyed the numerous
birds (including blue herons) that congregate along the Nathan Creek dike.
Abbotsford
Lefeuvre Road (Abbotsford boundary) to Matsqui Trail
(from Olund Road): 1 hour
This section is road. There is one long uphill grade along Lefeuvre Road.
Outside of that, the route is mainly flat with a few rolling hills.
Matsqui Trail (from Olund Road) to Page
Road: 1 hour
Olund Road becomes a dirt road then a trail with TCT signage. This section
of the TCT is really pleasant. The first part of the Matsqui Trail takes
you through forest. At this time of year the trail is alive with new growth.
I ran into a few day-trippers cycling along this section.
Once I hit the South Fraser River dike, which runs for many kilometers,
the landscape opened up. I had a chance to take in large tracts of farmland.
In fact, there were many farmers in their fields cutting hay as I went
by. Flocks of Robins kept me company by bombarding the trail in front
of me kamikaze style. It was very entertaining. The dike is flat and I
made great time. Just to the West of the Mission Bridge (which I cycled
under) is the picturesque Matsqui Trail Regional Park, which have camping
facilities. Also located on the south side of the dike by the bridge is
a Horse Outfitter. I have ridden with this outfitter along here and I
know you can go on short rides for a very reasonable price. Just watch
for the circle of covered wagons in their back yard. This section of dike
along the Fraser River ends at Page Road.
Page Road to McDonald Park: 2 hours
Starting at Page Road I followed the road route South (as recommended
for bikers). This first section is called the Clayburn Trail in the guide,
though it is strictly a road route. I passed some more farms and met some
steady head winds along the way. There is also an Ostrich Farm, which
is kind of unusual for the Fraser Valley I should think.
The village of Clyburn is very small. I did not see any telephone, but
there is a little teahouse. Quaint teahouses don't do anything for me
so I kept going. At the intersection with Sraiton Road, ignore the Straiton
Trail heading uphill on the south side of the road. Continue along Straiton
Road for about 2 km until you reach the bridge. It is at this location
the Clayburn Creek Trail begins. There is no clear signage and no TCT
signs that I saw. The guide is a little too general when describing this
turnoff. I simply missed it and began a rather unpleasant uphill climb
up the road. Finally at Upper Sumas Mountain Road I flagged down a local
who provided me with excellent directions to get to Atkinson Road.
Once on Atkinson just head east. I eventually came to a steep dirt downhill
section with a gate on each end. At the end of this downhill is a road
(called Elridge). Cross over the bridge and follow the South Sumas River
Dike east.
South Sumas River Trail to Barrowtown pump
station: 70 minutes (with 30 min. break)
This section of trail is very similar to other TCT dike sections. The
terrain is flat, the views are spectacular. To the South is Vedder Mountain
and directly to the North East is Sumas Mountain. I took a break at McDonald
Park nestled along the Sumas River. There is a public washroom and the
sink inside is deep enough to allow me to refill my empty water bottle.
I took a little siesta on a soft shaded grassy area underneath a tall
cottonwood. It was blissful just listening to the wind whisper through
the leaves above me.
Just before Barrowtown I went back onto the road for a short distance.
Once at the Barrowtown pump station I rejoined the dike system and continued
my journey towards Chilliwack.
West side of Vedder River along the dike
I took a wrong turn going pass the Keith Wilson bridge, instead of crossing
it. With the new TCT guidebook, it is easy to find. The dike trail heads
directly south and I stayed on the West side of it. Thinking back, I am
quite sure now which bridge I should have crossed, but at the time I wasn't
sure so I kept on going. I asked a few walkers but they were not sure
either. Along this dike there seems to be lots of places to camp (unofficially)
along the river. There is however, some great recognized camping at Cultus
Lake, which is not that much further. Vedder Mountain was looming before
me. Eight years ago I remember crossing over the top of Vedder Mountain
on my walk across B.C. This time I was to skirt around its base the easy
way.
Eventually I came to Vedder River Campground. By taking Giesbrecht Road
(the road leading to the campground) I found myself on Vedder Mountain
Road. Within a few kilometers I turned southward onto Cultus Lake Road.
The road climbs, but not for long. I was energized by the realization
I would soon be finished for the day.
The infamous Cultus Trail which begins at Cultus Lake Park sign is badly
overgrown. It didn't help that I took a wrong turn and soon found myself
engulfed in a tangle of bramble bushes. I literally had to crouch down
behind my bike and push it forward like a battering ram. Luckily I was
wearing my helmet or my head would have been badly bruised and cut by
the many low branches. It was muddy and difficult to discern which faint
trail was the correct one. The guide mentions the fish hatchery at the
end, but I was not too interested in 'fish watching' at this point. Finally
I saw some light. It was like I was emerging from a deep dark jungle and
reaching civilization after a long journey. Unfortunately, my gateway
to freedom (aka the fish hatchery) was barred by a barbwire fence. After
some delicate maneuvering I found myself on the greener side of the fence.
I got back on my trusty steed (aka my dirty filthy muddy bicycle) and
coasted into Cultus Lake. Trails BC will be working to clear this trail
later this year. Please check with them for current conditions.
At the Plaza, while I was waiting for Christine to pick me up I had a
delicious pizza at J. Beethoven's Pizza. And to top it off, I scored a
hole-in-one at Giggle Ridge Mini-Golf and won a free game. When I return
to claim my free game though, I think I'll drive.
PICS
Barn
alongside Nathan Creek.
Vedder
River Dike. Mount Vedder looms ahead.
A wrong
turn on the Cultus Lake Trail means some nasty bushwacking.
All that is visible is my red coloured pannier.