Trans Canada Trail

Nov. 1, 2021 - Stats: 12.9 km / 321m gain & 696m loss / 1391m high point / 3:25 hours MT

The TCT is a 17,250m long network of roads and trails and is the longest of it's kind in the world, connecting Canadians from sea to sea. For all 15 of us, it was the first time we hiked this section of trail, doing it as a crossover. We were privileged to have Jim Alkins along. Him and volunteers had cleared the trail this year on both ends but did not meet in the middle. To our relief, it turned out to be smooth sailing between the 2 points.

We drove south about 2/3 way along the east side of Chilliwack Lake. Here we're looking back at Williams Peak.

Then we turned left onto the Chilliwack Paleface FSR. There's a small TCT marker on a tree. The road was in pretty good shape, other than a few water bars.

We parked at a fork in the road at an altitude of 1217m. From there we stayed left and soon entered the forest on the Paleface Pass trail.

About halfway along this trail (between the trailhead and Paleface Pass) we put our micro-spikes on.

At the highest point; Paleface Pass looking at Paleface Mt. (1797m) -- west. The rest of the route was mostly downhill on the deactivated Upper Silverhope Creek FSR with a gentle grade, following alongside the Silverhope Creek.

So many delicate patterns etched in the ice: feathers, triangles, cubes & stars.

Klesilkwa Mt. (2010m) to our right, cast its shadow in the valley and kept the sun from melting the ice.

We had just settled down for lunch when we heard voices. Yes! It was the other half of our group at 1/2 km shy of the halfway point. What a happy reunion we had, swapping information and keys. We could take our micro-spikes off and they needed to put them on.

Group shot: Frank, Ingrid, Pat, Patrick, Lorenzo, Jim, Dave, Poebe, me, Anita, Christine, Sheri, Sue & Cal.

Mt. Wittenburg (1980m) -- west.

Mt. Holden (2002m) -- north. Looking back.

These mushrooms were the size of dinner plates.

Fordred (2070m), Rideout (2400m) & Silvertip (2520m) Mountains -- northeast.

The Silver Skagit Road was riddled with potholes. I was leaning towards the right side of the gravel road because they seemed less severe there. Suddenly Sheri screamed when a side-by-side came ripping round the corner. I successfully swerved to the right with seconds to spare, but it gave Mr. Side-by-side a fright and got him to slow down (and helped me get Cal's jeep back in one piece).

The Silverhope River along the Silver Skagit Rd.

Chilliwack Lake to the left.