1986 GMC S-15
- Thread starter Andrew_S
- Start date
Andrew_S
Observer
It's just these last two or three trips I've been stumbling across this old iron. Can't way I have the first clue why any of it is it out there. Most likely the company just went tits up or something went with the machinery and it was easier to just leave it there then haul it away.
It's an old '70's 16' grumman aluminium canoe. It's so durable I would never want to switch it out for any other make or model.
Yeah for sure, if you have questions about any of the pics or locations just let me know, more then happy to share.This is EXACTLY the kind of post I'm talking about!!! That road with nature taking over is so awesome!!! I'll be pinging you for some locations on this trip later...Thanks for taking us along!!!
Beautiful pics Andrew! I thought I recognised those tree stumps! They look like the one I have at my place just south of Nakusp. Come by and say hello when I get back. Thanks for posting up. Cheers, chilli...
That's funny. A bunch of my buddies were originally from Nakusp and my foreman's mom used to be the mayor there. I'll definitely be in touch next time we are headed out that way, thanks for the offer.
Well two days wasn't quite enough so we decided to head back up to Kinbasket again this weekend and get another slice of paradise.
This was what we were heading into on Friday evening...
Got a glimpse of this young bull on our way up.
Despite the rain we still got out. A few strikes but no fish landed.
Saturday morning the clouds were pretty epic.
Only fish of the trip landed. It made for a great fry up.
Got to try out the new fillet knife Nicole made for me.
When you don't have a grill you make due with what you have.
Saturday night was friggin perfect.
The drive up is littered with countless spots like this.
We drove up and did the McRae lake hike this afternoon. Absolutely incredible drive and hike.
As soon as we hit the trailhead we were in the snow.
The lake was still frozen but this was a great place to stop for a beer.
Way easier going down then up.
Stopped for a quick snack on the way back down. The new engel cooler is such an upgrade. On the third day we still had over half of our ice.
This is one of those roads you where we were just in awe the entire time.
Andrew_S
Observer
It's been a little bit so here is a quick update. It had been over 2 years since the last time we visited our family out east (Ontario & New Brunswick) so we took off almost a month and flew out to Ontario in June. We both really wanted to road trip the whole way but the cost of fuel and the amount of time it would have taken just to get from BC - Ontario made it not feasible in the 3ish weeks we had off.
We landed in Ontario and immediately got out fishing for some pike and bass.
The next day we drove to Grand Lake NB.
Despite our families telling us we were crazy, two days after that we took off for Newfoundland.
The roads in Cape Breton are littered with these flowers. Nicole could tell you what they are called but I haven't got the foggiest.
Once we got to Sydney we did a little exploring while we waited for the ferry. We came across these old military buildings in Sydney Mines.
First night camped out in Norris Point.
The famous Western Brook Pond.
Hiking Gros Mourne Mountain.
Spectacular views from the peak.
It's amazing how Newfoundland has absolutely nothing in the middle of the island. Just shrubs, rocks and lakes.
Great spot to stop for a beer.
I found it interesting the way they stack their logging trucks. I'm assuming because most of it is for firewood and pulp mills?
We did a lot of hiking in the snow. They had a pretty significant snowfall the week before we arrived.
Descent down.
Second night we ditched the tent and made the car into our little camper. Needless to say it was a tight fit.
We landed in Ontario and immediately got out fishing for some pike and bass.
The next day we drove to Grand Lake NB.
Despite our families telling us we were crazy, two days after that we took off for Newfoundland.
The roads in Cape Breton are littered with these flowers. Nicole could tell you what they are called but I haven't got the foggiest.
Once we got to Sydney we did a little exploring while we waited for the ferry. We came across these old military buildings in Sydney Mines.
First night camped out in Norris Point.
The famous Western Brook Pond.
Hiking Gros Mourne Mountain.
Spectacular views from the peak.
It's amazing how Newfoundland has absolutely nothing in the middle of the island. Just shrubs, rocks and lakes.
Great spot to stop for a beer.
I found it interesting the way they stack their logging trucks. I'm assuming because most of it is for firewood and pulp mills?
We did a lot of hiking in the snow. They had a pretty significant snowfall the week before we arrived.
Descent down.
Second night we ditched the tent and made the car into our little camper. Needless to say it was a tight fit.
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Andrew_S
Observer
On our last day we hiked around table lands. There was a pretty extensive boardwalk on the trail.
This is a really unique area, nothing else like it around on the island that we came across.
There were some really neat rocks to be found everywhere.
The creeks running down were so beautiful.
This was an impromptu climb up and over with no real trail to follow. Luckily we managed to make it up and down without issue.
Great views from the top.
Still tons of snow in the crevasses.
Taking the easy way down.
After 3 days we were back on the ferry heading back to Ontario. The entire time on the island we were wishing we had our truck and another month.
This is a really unique area, nothing else like it around on the island that we came across.
There were some really neat rocks to be found everywhere.
The creeks running down were so beautiful.
This was an impromptu climb up and over with no real trail to follow. Luckily we managed to make it up and down without issue.
Great views from the top.
Still tons of snow in the crevasses.
Taking the easy way down.
After 3 days we were back on the ferry heading back to Ontario. The entire time on the island we were wishing we had our truck and another month.
Andrew_S
Observer
On our way back to NB we spotted this old dinosaur on the side of the road.
We stopped in at Atlantic nationals for a walk around. Spotted this old rig, would make a cool camper on some 1 tons.
Nicole was loving this truck. We've been talking about finding an old crew cab and turning it into a our dream mobile one day.
I took this pic for my old man. Such a great looking boss.
Last day in NB so we had a seafood feast.
Can't beat the sunsets out east.
On our way home we stopped in at Fundy. A 20' tide sure would present some challenges at the docks.
Nicole went for a walk in the mud flats barefoot just like she used to when she was a child.
Last stop in NB.
Back in Ontario we caught some more bass and jumbo perch.
Had to snap a pic of this old mack down the roads from my dads place.
High school reunion with the boys, after a few beers it seemed like the right thing to do was hit the water.
Spotted this wicked toy hauler a few km's from my moms place.
While I was home I wanted to recreate this picture of my old man.
Nearly 50 years between the pictures. His pride and joy 1970 Boss 302.
We stopped in at Atlantic nationals for a walk around. Spotted this old rig, would make a cool camper on some 1 tons.
Nicole was loving this truck. We've been talking about finding an old crew cab and turning it into a our dream mobile one day.
I took this pic for my old man. Such a great looking boss.
Last day in NB so we had a seafood feast.
Can't beat the sunsets out east.
On our way home we stopped in at Fundy. A 20' tide sure would present some challenges at the docks.
Nicole went for a walk in the mud flats barefoot just like she used to when she was a child.
Last stop in NB.
Back in Ontario we caught some more bass and jumbo perch.
Had to snap a pic of this old mack down the roads from my dads place.
High school reunion with the boys, after a few beers it seemed like the right thing to do was hit the water.
Spotted this wicked toy hauler a few km's from my moms place.
While I was home I wanted to recreate this picture of my old man.
Nearly 50 years between the pictures. His pride and joy 1970 Boss 302.
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Andrew_S
Observer
Last stop on the way to Toronto. I would highly encourage anyone passing through Peterborough to stop at the canoe museum.
A couple beauts,
So many birch bark canoes.
Huge traders canoe,
Seal skin kayaks. The amount of time just one of these took to build was crazy.
Super old dug out canoe.
Another very cool old dug out canoe. It was over 50' long and carved out of a single red cedar.
Anyhow that's what we've been doing. Now that we've been to the east coast were hoping to go all the way west out onto Vancouver island here shortly.
A couple beauts,
So many birch bark canoes.
Huge traders canoe,
Seal skin kayaks. The amount of time just one of these took to build was crazy.
Super old dug out canoe.
Another very cool old dug out canoe. It was over 50' long and carved out of a single red cedar.
Anyhow that's what we've been doing. Now that we've been to the east coast were hoping to go all the way west out onto Vancouver island here shortly.
So today I was sick and after the dr told me I wasn't going to die and gave me a prescription Ithought I should go get something you have inspired me to get. So I get my little girl in the truck and we take off for the 5 hr round trip. Told her no interstate on the way there all back roads. She is 7 in 9 days so of course she had to complain some how it was going to take longer. But off we went. Now I live in kansas which well is pretty boring, lots of fields so I let her watch a movie on my phone but she has to tell me where to turn. Well she misses one turn by about a second. No big deal, it's in a small kansas town an I go a block in to turn around and there in all its glory was the worlds biggest czeck egg!! In the middle of Kansas! We had to stop. And I had to take a picture to send to my wife.
fields
Well after that she started to understand why it's good to take back roads. You miss to much on the interstate. Well long story short I was making this trip to pick up this old beauty(sarcasm) I have been looking for one and found this for 30 bucks online it was just far away. So got it home and I can say I wouldn't of gotten this if it wasn't for your thread. I plan on making a platform for us to sleep on. My daughter even says she will sleep on the bottom!!
fields
Well after that she started to understand why it's good to take back roads. You miss to much on the interstate. Well long story short I was making this trip to pick up this old beauty(sarcasm) I have been looking for one and found this for 30 bucks online it was just far away. So got it home and I can say I wouldn't of gotten this if it wasn't for your thread. I plan on making a platform for us to sleep on. My daughter even says she will sleep on the bottom!!
Andrew_S
Observer
^ Thanks gentlemen, I really appreciate that.
"set up".
We got out for this august long weekend. Started out waking up on kicking horse river again. I'll never get tired of this spot, although the no-see-ums were brutal. We may have to get some tighter screen for the canopy as they come right through.
We stopped in Invermere at the Kicking horse cafe for our morning coffee. It's funny to see our truck next to some of the other rigs on the road.
Got held up for a minute by the locals.
Spotted this beautiful crew cab for sale in canal flats. Can only imagine how much that old camper weighs.
Just down the road we found this awesome camping spot we'll be using in the future. A little rough to drive in on the river rock but you would be all by yourself and the constant white noise of the river was perfect.
Nicole checking out the deer tracks in the silt, just down the river from the previous pic.
We hit a couple of roads that were just like driving on 6" of flour. Definitely have to change out the air filter after this trip.
One of the goals of this trip was to drive from Canal flats to Fernie on nothing but gravel roads. We took the Bull River FSR from white swan provincial park which worked out to be a little over 150 km's of gravel roads.
Mile marker 98, and the other side read 62.
The bull river FSR turned out to be such a great drive. Absolutely stunning views around every corner.
At one point we spotted this little stream coming into the river and Nicole made me stop so she could look for fish.
Sure enough she was right, it was a "fishy" spot. First cast with a may fly pattern and I hooked up with a nice cut throat.
Once we got to fernie we toured around for a minute. Spotted this wicked little camper in a neighbourhood.
The second night we camped out on this really pretty flood plain that drains into Lake Koocanusa, 20 mins from the Montana/BC Border.
The view from the truck. There's a full fire ban in effect now, just have to make the best of what you have.
Thanks for that comment Bojak. She's definitely the one, just haven't put a ring on it yet, as she likes to remind me. Definitely going to be asking her sometime in the future.
Nice score! $30 for that is awesome. There's something really nice about being able to pull up to a spot, flip up the back hatch and that's all it takes to
"set up".
Nice! short bed/small block will be a super fun combo.
We got out for this august long weekend. Started out waking up on kicking horse river again. I'll never get tired of this spot, although the no-see-ums were brutal. We may have to get some tighter screen for the canopy as they come right through.
We stopped in Invermere at the Kicking horse cafe for our morning coffee. It's funny to see our truck next to some of the other rigs on the road.
Got held up for a minute by the locals.
Spotted this beautiful crew cab for sale in canal flats. Can only imagine how much that old camper weighs.
Just down the road we found this awesome camping spot we'll be using in the future. A little rough to drive in on the river rock but you would be all by yourself and the constant white noise of the river was perfect.
Nicole checking out the deer tracks in the silt, just down the river from the previous pic.
We hit a couple of roads that were just like driving on 6" of flour. Definitely have to change out the air filter after this trip.
One of the goals of this trip was to drive from Canal flats to Fernie on nothing but gravel roads. We took the Bull River FSR from white swan provincial park which worked out to be a little over 150 km's of gravel roads.
Mile marker 98, and the other side read 62.
The bull river FSR turned out to be such a great drive. Absolutely stunning views around every corner.
At one point we spotted this little stream coming into the river and Nicole made me stop so she could look for fish.
Sure enough she was right, it was a "fishy" spot. First cast with a may fly pattern and I hooked up with a nice cut throat.
Once we got to fernie we toured around for a minute. Spotted this wicked little camper in a neighbourhood.
The second night we camped out on this really pretty flood plain that drains into Lake Koocanusa, 20 mins from the Montana/BC Border.
The view from the truck. There's a full fire ban in effect now, just have to make the best of what you have.
Andrew_S
Observer
From there we headed NorthWest to the Gray Creek FSR. It connects Kimberly to Gray Creek. We tried to do this last June but had to turn around due too much snow on the pass.
Spotted these guys about 40km's into the drive. We weren't sure if they were wild or not.
This is near the summit. It's over 6800 ft in elevation, the way up average grade was 9% and down was 6%.
Definitely put the new 3.4 to the test the entire way.
Some of the signage on the route down.
Near the summit there is a nice stop, Oliver Lake. Super clear glacier fed lake.
It's really shallow and I imagine because of that, it sees a lot of winter kill. We didn't spot any fish, however; we did see ton of tadpoles.
The trail in/out of the lake is really nice, apparently these are all 400+ year old larches.
We stopped in Kaslo for some groceries on our way up to the north end of Duncan lake. Spotted this great looking VW in town.
From there we headed up Duncan Lake. Stopped at this really neat creek flowing into the lake.
The log jam made a perfect break wall for the sediment.
From there we continued North to Coot lake cabin. This was a truly impressive structure.
We walked the trail around the lake. When I took this pic I jokingly said, "watch out it's starting to slide down!"
Nicole is constantly looking out for mushrooms, she spotted this monster pushing up the ground.
A pic of Coot Lake. Initially we were going to stay here but we regretfully pushed on instead.
Nicole spotted this great little raspberry patch as we were walking out.
The road in had been cleared thankfully. I don't think my bowsaw or even my chainsaw would have been a match for the 4' cedars that had come down.
On our way back down Duncan Lake we stopped at a nice rec site. It had a great view but it was decently full and we just aren't huge fans of camping and listening to other peoples conversations. So again we regretfully pushed on.
Spotted these guys about 40km's into the drive. We weren't sure if they were wild or not.
This is near the summit. It's over 6800 ft in elevation, the way up average grade was 9% and down was 6%.
Definitely put the new 3.4 to the test the entire way.
Some of the signage on the route down.
Near the summit there is a nice stop, Oliver Lake. Super clear glacier fed lake.
It's really shallow and I imagine because of that, it sees a lot of winter kill. We didn't spot any fish, however; we did see ton of tadpoles.
The trail in/out of the lake is really nice, apparently these are all 400+ year old larches.
We stopped in Kaslo for some groceries on our way up to the north end of Duncan lake. Spotted this great looking VW in town.
From there we headed up Duncan Lake. Stopped at this really neat creek flowing into the lake.
The log jam made a perfect break wall for the sediment.
From there we continued North to Coot lake cabin. This was a truly impressive structure.
We walked the trail around the lake. When I took this pic I jokingly said, "watch out it's starting to slide down!"
Nicole is constantly looking out for mushrooms, she spotted this monster pushing up the ground.
A pic of Coot Lake. Initially we were going to stay here but we regretfully pushed on instead.
Nicole spotted this great little raspberry patch as we were walking out.
The road in had been cleared thankfully. I don't think my bowsaw or even my chainsaw would have been a match for the 4' cedars that had come down.
On our way back down Duncan Lake we stopped at a nice rec site. It had a great view but it was decently full and we just aren't huge fans of camping and listening to other peoples conversations. So again we regretfully pushed on.
Andrew_S
Observer
We were about 2km's from the spot we wanted to camp and then it happened. A really nice big doe came out of the bush on the left side and walked right in front of us. I locked up all four trying to slow down and we just slid right into her doing about 50 km/hr.
Thankfully she didn't jump otherwise she would have come through the windshield and Nicole would have been in a world of hurt. After a quick "holy ********" moment and giving the truck a look over it was clear we were super lucky. It hadn't popped the rad, and all of the damage was purely cosmetic. So we decided to just head home while the truck was still running and hope for the best. The doe took off into a piece of private property otherwise I would have gone after her with the shotgun and put her down so she didn't suffer.
and the next morning in better light I could really see what the damage was like.
It taco'd the hood, fender, bumper, bumper cowl, inner fender, battery tray, broke the windshield and also bent up the wiper cowl.
I was sitting out in the garage more or less drowning in my own sorrows and Nicole brought me up a cup of coffee in a very suiting mug for my mood.
Once I got the hood pried up it was pretty evident how lucky we really got. The upper rad hose was about 1/4" from the alternator pulley and battery had another 1/2" until the posts shorted out on the inner fender.
I'm really bummed the truck got smashed up but I'm incredibly happy nothing happened to us and it wasn't worse then it is.
It's nothing a little time and money won't fix. I won't be running it through insurance because they'll just write me a very small cheque for the truck and then brand it as "unfit". The trouble it would take to put it back on the road wouldn't be worth the small cheque they would give me.
I tore off all the damaged pieces this evening.
I went to the local yard this evening and started pulling pieces I need to rebuild the front end. There was 5 first gen s-series trucks there, but 2 were completely rotted out and the other 3 were front end collisions on the passenger side. Go figure. Got a few things though.
Thankfully she didn't jump otherwise she would have come through the windshield and Nicole would have been in a world of hurt. After a quick "holy ********" moment and giving the truck a look over it was clear we were super lucky. It hadn't popped the rad, and all of the damage was purely cosmetic. So we decided to just head home while the truck was still running and hope for the best. The doe took off into a piece of private property otherwise I would have gone after her with the shotgun and put her down so she didn't suffer.
and the next morning in better light I could really see what the damage was like.
It taco'd the hood, fender, bumper, bumper cowl, inner fender, battery tray, broke the windshield and also bent up the wiper cowl.
I was sitting out in the garage more or less drowning in my own sorrows and Nicole brought me up a cup of coffee in a very suiting mug for my mood.
Once I got the hood pried up it was pretty evident how lucky we really got. The upper rad hose was about 1/4" from the alternator pulley and battery had another 1/2" until the posts shorted out on the inner fender.
I'm really bummed the truck got smashed up but I'm incredibly happy nothing happened to us and it wasn't worse then it is.
It's nothing a little time and money won't fix. I won't be running it through insurance because they'll just write me a very small cheque for the truck and then brand it as "unfit". The trouble it would take to put it back on the road wouldn't be worth the small cheque they would give me.
I tore off all the damaged pieces this evening.
I went to the local yard this evening and started pulling pieces I need to rebuild the front end. There was 5 first gen s-series trucks there, but 2 were completely rotted out and the other 3 were front end collisions on the passenger side. Go figure. Got a few things though.
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Kingsize24
Well-known member
Wow! What a story. Sucks about hitting the deer, but you guys are fine as you said, and everything looks easily fixable. Might be time for a grill guard/brush bumper however.