Stein Valley June 27, 2014 to June 29, 2014
Participants in this trip: Koko and myself.
Had a 4 day weekend, and decided to hang out in the Stein Valley. The original plan was to be out for 4 days, in the end we hung out for just two days.
June 27 it was chilly and rainy in Vancouver. It felt more like October than June. I worked all day, and left right from the office. There was some slow traffic, but once we were passed Abbotsford it was smooth sailing.
Barely made the last ferry that night, and across I went. They ferry operator checked to make sure I had a full tank of gas as they weren't sure they would be running when I cam back. The river was high and a little rough. Made it to the parking lot just as dark fell.
Folded down my seats, made a nest (because there isn't really enough room to make a bed), cracked some windows (as it was still 20 degrees outside), and it was time to sleep.
June 28 - woke up way too early! 4:30am, tried to go back to sleep, no dice. 5:30 crawled out of the car and starting piecing my stuff together. Made some breakfast (Sweet Potatoes and Turkey), and attempted to avoid becoming breakfast to the mosquitos. (Why are THEY up so early!).
Hit the trail about 7:15. Few minutes down the trail is the rushing Stryen Creek, spanned by a real bridge.
And a little further along is the Asking Rock. The sign says "It is a place of great historical and spiritual significance to the Nlaka'pamux people, when they pass by, they stop and say a short prayer before continuing their journey."
We continued along the trail and hit Loop camp at 7:45 - which is 2 km along the trail.
There is a memorial tree along the trail, with some plaques and trinkets. Many of these have been here for a few years, I've seen them on previous trips.
The Trail for the most part wanders through the trees.
And sometimes becomes cobble which can be hard on the knees.
It was starting to warm up quickly! At 8:15 we arrived at Devil's Staircase Camp - 4 km along the trail. The camp is large is well shaded, and there is access to the water, it is a bit of steep hill, but it is very short. The only facility here (or at any of the camp sites) is an outhouse. No picnic tables, or tent pads. Here there are large rocks that make useful tables and chairs. Make sure you bring something cushy for your bum.
Here we met Debbie and Jason, their kids Callie and Jacob, and their 2 very excitable dogs. Koko and I took a nice break and snack, and continued on at 9:00.
Up Devil's Staircase (there are no real "stairs" but is a steep climb) we went - by now it is quite hot. The trail climbs up the hillside steeply, dips back down and climbs again. It crosses some old rock slides, but is quite safe.
When we crossed Christina Falls Koko had a drink and splashed around cooling his feet. As you hike back down towards the bottom of the valley and the river, the trail is a series of switch backs.. Watch for where the trail turns left to run along the river, at this point if you turn right, you will notice another trail. Follow this trail and you will find pictographs drawn on the side of hill, hundreds of them. On our may trip we met a gentleman who said if you come in March, the wall is wet, and the pictographs jump out at you. We may need to take another trip. See my pictures of the pictographs from last year - I didn't take any this year.
As we continue on, we have to climb under a log, it isn't that low, but you still have to duck under it!. The trail changes from forest, to having more green and back again.
Some of the bridges are built a little interesting. Koko can cross this one fine, I had to walk on the edge. Who builds a hand rail like that!
At 10:30 am we roll into Tee Pee camp - 8km from the trailhead - for a much deserved rest and another snack. This camping area also has a lot of space. Some people have been creative and sort of built benches - its a nice area to hang out. The water access here is less steep than the one at Devil's staircase, and there is lots of sun to be had.
As it has been so hot today, we decided to refill our water while we were at it. There was a few sun showers while we were chilling. Met a couple of the campers. Met Hilary, Pippa, Marta and Jared. They were a bunch of co-workers who decided to hike out for the weekend. They hiked out the day before, were going to do a day trip to the suspension bridge and then hike out the next day. Koko wrangled a lot of pets and scratches out of them!
About noon we start out again. Koko was really tired and I wasn't sure how much further he would make it, so we took our time. A short jaunt down the trail there is a cedar grove, creek on one side, the river on the other. Had to stop for a few photos.
We arrive at Earls Cabin Camp at 12:40 - 10.5 km from the trailhead - snap some photos of the camp and cabin. Again there is excellent water sources and lots of camping spots. Check Koko, he still seems game. It's only 2.5km to the Suspension Bridge Camp so I decide to try for it. We cross the thundering Earl's Creek and off we go.
10 minutes down the trail, Koko stops and won't take another step. Poor guy - it is so hot, and he is getting old (8 years old and he has very little legs!). Sometimes he only needs to be carried for a bit and then he can walk. Nope. I wind up carrying hime between my pack and my neck for the rest of the 2.5km. He likes to see where we are going, so he puts his front paws on one shoulder and leans around to see where we are going - my poor shoulder! The trail past Earl's Cabin must not get a lot of use, as we had to bushwack through some overgrowth. I was a really long 2.5km. We arrive at Suspension Bridge Camp at 1:50pm - 13 km from the trailhead. And there is a sign that says Bee Hive in Campsite - oh dear. I'm to tired to go any further. So this will have to do. The campsite has lots of space, more homemade benches. The water access isn't all that convenient, and the area is really shaded. There were massive amounts of flies and wasps in the camping area. By far Earl's Cabin site is my favorite. Will endeavour to stay there next time!
The wind picks up suddenly and it is cold. I'm exhausted from the heat earlier in the day so I set up the tent and decided it was nap time.
At 4:00 Pippa, Marta, jared and Hilary roll in. They were enjoying their leisurely day. Pippa had an old book on the area that talked about the tribes and the pictographs - it was really neat. I may have to find it for future reference. Koko got some more well deserved attention, I made some lunch, and off they went to find their dinner back at their camp.
I crawl back into my tent and read a book for a bit. I am really surprised that there wasn't anyone else out this far! It was just Koko and I, rather unnerving.
Koko is out like a light, the wind picks up to a howling pitch and buffets the tent. It must be really strong to rip though the trees like that.
And then it is time to brush my teeth, and it is sooo chilly! Quickly get ready for bed and crawl back in. Koko woke up long enough for a quick potty break, and was passed out before I got back in the tent.
July 29 - Awake at 5:30 to the birds. They are sure chatty! I can hear the river and its low roar. Doze on & off for a bit and crawl out of bed about 7:00. I know! Slacker!
Have a leisurely breakfast. It's a little chilly this morning and its cloudy, looks like maybe rain. The mosquitos are really bad again and I put some marigold spray on Koko to save him from the bites. He is still tired and seems chilly so I bury him in blankets while I cook and eat. I counted 10 different squirrels running around like crazy - chasing each other, chattering - there may have been more!
I take down camp and we are on the trail by 8:45.
It's a good thing they have this sign for the bridge, or you would never find it! Last year the far end of the bridge had been taken out by a rockslide and we could cross it. It is all fixed now. The bridge is quite sturdy, not much swing. Koko really did not like the bridge moving at all, I had to carry him across.
The trail on the other side of the bridge was really narrow. The footing was very poor, and the trail was not marked very well, lost it twice. And it started to rain. I decided half an hour in that this was a bad idea, and we turned around.
Arrived back at the Suspension Bridge camp for the 2nd time at 9:45. It has stopped trying to rain, but decided that we should not try the dicy trail again. The trail back is uneventful. We pass a quiet group of 6 people. Arrive at Ear's cabin at 10:30, have snack and continue on. 11:30 we arrive at Tee Pee Camp and have a good break with our 4 new friends again. Koko tells me I am taking too long to give him a drink when he starts nosing at his water dish hanging from my pack. Our new friends were very impressed. They are in the process of packing up so we may see them again. At this point I wasn't sure if I was going to head all the way out today, or camp another night. We were playing it by ear.
We hit the trail again at 12:15 and in half an our, Koko is tired. He isn't quiting yet, but his pace has slowed to a crawl and isn't very perky. I stop, rearrange my pack, put him in the pack at the top, and continue on. He seems to prefer this method to the on the shoulder method.
About 20 minutes later we come to the base of Devils staircase. Wander down to the Pictographs and chill on the sandy beach by the river. It is 1:00 so it's lunch time! Koko has a nap while I make lunch. All of our friends showed up! Debbie, Jason, Callie & Jacob and Pippa, Marta, Jared & Hilary.
We have another nice visit, then I pack up (including Koko) and head up the staircase. We trek along to Loop camp. At this point I have decided I just want to get Koko and I home. He looks miserable and it's hot. I am exhausted from carrying an extra 8 pounds in my pack. I lay down on the ground and nap in the sun. Pippa Marta, Pippa, Jared and Hilary show up show up. Koko is spoiled some more.
There is a gentleman and his family hanging out here. They were hanging out for a couple of nits, then his wife and daughter were going home and he was staying to work on his thesis for the doctorate, solar panels and a laptop! that is a great idea.
We say good bye to everyone and make for the car. It is only 2 km back 0 so I decided Koko could walk. He has had enough of a break and he is in good spirits. We arrive back at parking and it's full!! Tons of Vans and Cars and People!! Talking to a few of them it sounds like every just came off the trail from day hikes. It's about 4:30 - and Koko can't keep his eyes open. The car shows the temperature as 34 degrees. No wonder we were hot! Head to the ferry - had a short wait. Cross the river and the temperature is down to 28.
Koko sleeps all the way back except for when I stopped for dinner. He was hungry! Back in Vancouver the temperature is 17 degrees. The Stein Valley is an oven compared to Vancouver.
It was a great trip with great people met along way. Trip was cut shortshort due to poor planning on my part. Should not have pushed Koko so hard the first day. I will need to plan better next time.
