Capturing the Art of Nature
Sowaqua Part Two
Fantastic views from the southern section along with an amazing alpine valley
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
2016
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Finally a return visit to this broad valley, accessible only through a very narrow gap in the mountains along the Coquihalla. We explored this valley almost exactly a year previously and back then we saw only the mainline area and the far eastern end. Driving out on that trip revealed a large number of roads on the south side of the river that called out to us but we didn’t have the time to explore them. So we have wanted a return visit for some time. Today was our chance, the weather was great and so off we went for the Sowaqua.
Our morning began as most others, we soon had the truck loaded and on the road for Hope and the Coquihalla. There were no surprises on the drive up. Though we were so engrossed in our talking we missed our preferred gas station but realized it in time for our backup! Once we reached the exit off the Coquihalla we were soon enjoying the amazing lush greens of young spring leaves all around us. We noticed only a few trucks parked near the start of the Forestry Road, so we were sure we would have the valley mostly to ourselves. In coming out here one really doesn’t want to be bothered by others and their dust and noise. We started up into the narrow gap and the steep entrance section of the road. A sign said that there was a slide at the 12km point so this left us a bit wary and potentially disappointed.
As we made our way past the narrow entrance we were greeted by a lovely waterfall across the valley and high up the slope of Mt Jarvis. The valley continued east and opened up into a broad area with many smaller ridges running parallel to the main ranges on our north and south. The Sowaqua Creek was running fast and fresh with the snow melt and looked very pretty from high above its banks. After a few stops along the way gathering photos of the peaks and various waterfalls we arrived at the fork we were looking for. Last time we took the left one which continued up the valley. Today we chose the right side and drove down to creek level and a bridge to the south side. The smell of skunk cabbage was strong as the valley area was marshy and very soggy. An ideal location for spring bear to hang out.
Not far past the bridge over the creek we came by the first of many forks on the road. Well we decided to try them all so our method for today was to employ the right-hand rule – we would take the right branch at each fork and cover the left on our return. This led s along the south slope heading west and rapidly gaining elevation. Eventually after several switch backs we reached the end of the road. Here we enjoyed a lovely view of the valley to the east. We didn’t linger too long as there was so much still to explore. We back tracked to the last fork and there we set off up the left side. This one had an incredibly steep incline that we didn’t really appreciate until we were making our way back down it. These roads look so much steeper on the way down in a truck as high as ours. This spur proved to be fairly short in length so we were soon back down to the major road and heading back towards the first fork we encountered this side of the creek.
Turning up it we made some elevation gain an d then reached the first of three more forks. Taking the right-side again each time we soon came to another small lazy stream in a high altitude valley. Just next to the bridge were signs announcing the Hudson’s Bay Wilderness Trail. It was across here that the supply route travelled back in the 1850’s. Today the trail has been revitalized for hikers but it is narrow and challenging. Continuing along, the road ran parallel to the trail but higher up the slope to avoid the marshy ground through which the trail meandered. Then we spotted a smaller SUV stopped in the middle of the road, it was one which passed us on the mainline while we were taking. I had commented back then that the couple in it looked a bit out of place back here. But here there were way into the road system and loading rocks into their vehicle. We stopped to chat and learned that the guy is a geologist and has spent many years working through these mountains. He had come to this spot to gather some green serpentine rock for landscaping his garden! Well I guess he did belong out here! And probably more than me! We continued past but only got another kilometer before a washout blocked the road. Here we did enjoy another lovely small waterfall just off the road. As we drove back to where the couple had been collecting rocks we stopped and spotted a nice green one. Well we thought, if they were good enough for a geologist then we could enjoy a nice green rock in our garden as well so we loaded in one mid-sized rock and continued on our way.
Back at the previous fork, we started up a lesser travelled road high into the slopes of Mt Hatfield. This road stopped in a lovely view point just below the ridge surrounding the Kippan Lakes. This was the exact spot I had studied on Google Earth last year as a pace I would love to reach and from there explore the lakes. Well we confirmed we could drive here, that leaves only a short hike to the lakes. We will return for them. Being well past noon, we decided this was the spot for lunch and we pulled out our stoves and cooked up a nice hot meal in the hot sun. Well at least it tastes good. Once done with lunch, Geoff did a bit of target shooting and then we packed up and continued back to the next fork. That route and the next proved to be fairly short in length and we were soon back to the mainline on the north side of the creek.
Rather than head out we decided to drive in a ways further and explore a few short spurs along that road. We continued for some distance enjoying the sights and seeing many small roads that would need an ATV to explore, but we stopped before the road ended as the day was getting on and we had seen this area before. So turned around, we started on the way back. We checked out a couple more spurs but generally just made our way out passing a few ATV’s who were on their way in. That was until Geoff heard a loud rhythmic hissing sound. Concerned that he may have ripped another sidewall he quickly pulled over and got out to determine the source. Well the right rear tire had a good sized piece of shale rock jammed in it and it was leaking quite seriously.
We drove a bit further to a wider section where we could get out of the hot sun and there we swapped out the tire for one of our spares! Geoff seemed to make quick time of it and we were back on the road quite soon. We drove a bit more gently for the balance of the drive along the logging road. With no more incidents to report, we soon were making fast time down the Coquihalla headed for home. The return drive went without surprises and soon the drive to home was in sight only 350+ Km of driving for the day! Later in the week I had the tire in for repair, the rock was so big the tire was gone. That rock pushed a good 3 inches into the tire!