Prince George, British Columbia (an expedition?)

[uphill]

I've been thinking a lot lately about where I want to go and do some expedition driving. As some of you know, I'm working on some out-of-North America trips over the next couple of years.

One trip inside North America that I would like to make is into the "Prince George Area" and Northern British Columbia. If you draw a 300KM circle around Prince George, there are some absolutely beyond-belief places to visit.

For those of you who don't know the area I'm writing about here, it's about 500KM north of Vancouver, BC.

My sense is that to make it worthwhile, we'd be talking about a week on the expedition (however you want to define expedition). I think that in order to make that happen and "work" we'd need some Canadian Forum Gurus to step up to the plate and do the real planning. Route is very important and I'm not sufficiently familiar with options to know which if any would be the best way to approach this pristine wilderness area. I'm happy to help and even do a preliminary trip to the area to help put things together - but I am not familiar with the area. It's just a place I have always wanted to go.

I do have a few good friends who are senior officers in the RCMP in BC and can reach out to them for help if we need that sort of stroke in this effort.

I'm thinking a week in June 2008? Three weeks or so before Ouray. I do understand that people will want to go to Ouray and I will be there. However, one week in Ouray won't scratch my itch to go out and wheel in the summer sufficiently. I also fear that it may be too soon in the season. So input is required by people who know the ground.

Does anyone on the Forum think that this is a good idea? Are there any people who may live in the area who would be interested in working to make a get-together like this a reality? Does anyone think it's a BAD idea. That sort of input is useful too.

Would the Canadian Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Team like to adopt an expedition-style trip like this?

I am thinking that I could make this run and then meet the gang in Ouray (maybe fly MRSUPHILL into Denver and pick her up on the way south to the Summit).

[jeshua]

Sounds like another great expedition you have running through your mind. I so wish I had the time like you have to do these trips. I am so jealous of you and T.

uphill previously said:

Would the Canadian Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Team like to adopt an expedition-style trip like this?

If I am/was on the team I would totally want to do this and if I could I would even hire you to plan more events like this.

[tibaal89]

I'm keeping an eye on this one...

Will be nice to actually meet you at Copper Creek next week, uphill.

[Swingshiftworker]

I've been to Prince George, Prince Rupert and Jasper via a sports touring motorcycle. Beautiful country and lots of roads I that I couldn't explore because I was on 2 wheels designed for paved roads only.

I've just bought a lot of recovery and trail gear that would be suitable for a 1 week expedition and I expect to get Man-a-Fre's 19 gallon auxillary tank soon. Still a few more things to buy before I'll consider myself "prepared," but, I'll keep an eye on this thread to see what develops.

[TCao]

Larry:

I recommend getting a copy of The Milepost for North Country travel planning. This yearly publication gives detail description of all the routes, fuel stops, and lodgings. For the Outbound leg, I'd suggest taking the Sea to Sky Hwy (extension of BC99) From Squamish, BC (just north of Vancouver) to BC97 Hwy (West Access Route to the Alaskan Hwy) to Prince George. The Sea to Sky Hwy has spectacular scenery north of Whistler although it is not the most relaxed driving (busy 2 lanes in some sections and tight turns). For the Inbound leg, I'd suggest going from Prince George to Dawson Creek (Mile 0 of the Alaskan Hwy) and take the East Access Route down to Montana. Time permiting, I also recommend a detour through Jasper and Banff NP on your way to Calgary, AB. As far as when would be a good time for this expedition, mid May may be better since it would be less buggy but Jun thru Aug would be warmer. FJCameron would be the person to PM since he grew up in northern BC.

Thong

PS. Here are a few photos from my recent trip

Duffey Lake, BC





Lake Moraine, Banff NP



Jasper NP

[Brazenhead]

Sounds like you have a great trip planned.

Would the Canadian Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Team like to adopt an expedition-style trip like this?

Unfortunately there isn't and never was a Canadian FJ Cruiser Trail Team.

[jeshua]

Love the pics T. there absolutely beautiful.

[uphill]

Brazenhead previously said:

Unfortunately there isn't and never was a Canadian FJ Cruiser Trail Team.

Yes, as a matter of fact, there is.

I asked a member of one of the current trail teams in the "lower 48" what the heck they're doing. That member didn't know.

Note TC's Photos. THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Who wouldn't want to run trails in that part of heaven?

[Shadow-Warrior]

I would love to do a trip like this also, but a week "Before" Ouray may put me out of this one. I have planned on time off after the Summit, hitting MOAB then maybe heading North on something like this would be awesome. I too have wanted to go up in the Great White North to our friends to the North. After seeing Thongs trip, really got my blood flowing for a trip like that myself. Thats what put me in to high gear on preping the RAPTOR for these types of trips. Thanks again Thong, for the inspiration buddy And also to you too Larry for looking at all the Scorpion Expeditions that you've done. This is why I am building the RAPTOR the way I am, for just this type of excursions. I just wish I had more time and money sometimes...But I will watch this thread very close to see if it going to be plausable for the RAPTOR to attend. Thanks Larry

[Fjamming]

Have been to Banff and I absolutely loved it. It's just gorgeous. Thread subscribed.