Another small trip report, this time a scouting trip to try get access to West English River Provincial Park from the Redditt Ontario side of things. Starting with 2.5 hours of highway driving then another couple hours on Gravel roads. Then a turn onto the official trail head and another hour of slower driving on solid trails with a few minor beaver dams washouts and grown in conditions. Lots of pin striping on this trail… Just a few pics of the start…
Beaver sighting on the main road at a slight washout
Swampy and lots of rocks, good times
My GPS set up using a IPad and Garmin Glo. I am loving this for all my travels! I do have a Back roads book and topo maps for a backup.
Starting on the trail section with one of many beaver dams that are pushing up on the trail
Pin striping, lots and lots of this too.
Also had several km of wide open spaces
Then the fun starts with this challenge as the beaver pond had wiped out the trail and the gravel underneath leaving some wicked mud and quicksand type terrain.
Pre gaming, I had a feeling I would need some gear on this section, lol.
Got stuck in the mud when the high side broke through the logs and tires were not reaching anything solid to provide traction. This resulted in having a fun workout with the new PowerPuller. Worth every penny as I am normally use to cheap come-a-longs etc.. Had all the MaxTrax out looking for traction too and needed the chains and straps to make the reach to the truck. I like having a dynamic 20,000lb strap in as a stretch device so I can pre-load the pull and try drive out on something too tough for just a straight pull. Anchor point for the truck is straight to the frame rail and rated for use. A few pics from the mud fun and the short cliff at the end that I needed to get over. Ran out of light with all the fun at this spot!
After the recovery it was time for a night snack, a short view of Survivor on the IPad and then sleep. I was hoping all the fun with the PowerPuller would not set off my back injuries. In the morning I would be hurting bad if it did! I pre-planned all the gear and had emptied the fuel cans before I might lock up for the heavy lifting, Lol
Done for the day, this was camp for the night..
Next day was great and the temps stayed above freezing! Time to find my access point into the lake system I was trying for! A spot on the map had my complete attention for the mornings goal. The wash out pictured was right at the point where I need to be and I could drop a canoe into the creek pictured to get farther into the park from here. Success!!!
Point on the map- Success never looks so boring!
Heading back was fun knowing that the beaver dam washout was still to be done, again. One way in one way out…
Maxtrax to the rescue…This time I pre-placed MaxTrax at each of the bigger sink holes prior to making the attempt and could start the fun by driving down the ridge face instead of trying to pull a truck over it. The mud was so loose on the attempt to climb it that the edge would not even support my body weight. Had a nice 5' drop into the water the night before. This time that worked in my favor as I was going with gravity. A bit of gas and I was up and out without getting stuck! That just saved me a lot of effort!
The mats work good at keeping the bumper from dragging in on a little ravine washout at the start of the beaver dam. I do need to move my spare from under the truck as it is taking a beating on all the trips so far.
Looking back on beaver dam
A few more obstacles and I would be back on the main road!! Too bad my bumper sits so low. Me and my fat ***…
Just got to get over a few more bumps
Dragging my ***, really need a proper bumper
Finally back out on the main road and a few areas yet to see. Room with a view
Last bit of swamp across the main road, this is where the beaver was at the start.
Highway time and a new area found, going to be worth another trip to explore this some more!
