My spot in Rupert Inlet was really nice for being right on the water, with a great view out of my dining area windows. However, the area attracted a lot of visitors, some just stopping by to look at the scene, others coming to launch their boat, and one group of kids that came for some late night drinking.
I was thinking that this area was far enough from town to avoid the kids looking for a nearby party spot out of town, but I forgot about Coal Harbour, only 15km down the logging roads from my spot. Sure enough, around 9pm on a Friday night three quads pull up to the shore about 100 metres from me, just sitting idling the not so quiet engines. I was still up at this point, mostly annoyed at the idling quads, but they turn those off eventually.
I’m standing about where the partiers were, the boats are launched just to my right where the slope is going down
I hit the pillow at 11pm, not bothering to go to bed early as I was sure I’d be listening to the chatter near me. I was correct, although they were trying to keep it down. But a few drinks in you and eventually as the conversation becomes animated it becomes louder too. I almost drift off, until there is a crescendo in the talk, waking me up again. Checking out the window before I went to bed, I could see they were just sitting there in the night overlooking the inlet. So I wasn’t too worried about trouble, just a lack of sleep.
Around midnight the quads start up and the kids drive off. It’s not an uncommon thing to see drunks driving in the countryside down backroads. Looking at the can and bottle count next day, I’d say these three were not going to roll a quad, but a quick reaction to an animal might not be happening on the blood alcohol they were driving with. All in all, in terms of kids out at night, these were on the tame side – I never was worried they’d get up to no good involving me.
I
certainly didn’t get the calm solitude here either during the day. Especially on the weekend, people were coming down just to have a look, and a couple of boats were launched too. It was quieter during the week, but there was still the occasional car. The road is quite close too, you hear every logging truck loud and clear going by. But I had no regrets – the view made up for the lack of solitude – I was going to stay for my week before going to re-supply. In the summer, I’d think twice about this spot, if you can even squeeze in as there will be people around.
I had exhausted the hikes close by, but there was a whole set of logging roads that looked to have promise for boondocking. So I hike the half hour to get to the start of the Varney main, from which many roads branch off. Unfortunately, the snow is still deeper here with some ice. The first bridge I encounter is followed by one slippery section up a hill I might not be able to make. But I continue on, thinking the road might improve enough by the time I want to move spots again.
The first good road branching left is the obvious choice to check out – especially as ahead I see trees partially fallen over the road – I might squeeze my RV under them, but let’s see what options this branch leads to first. There is definitely less snow up this branch, it looks quite drivable by my RV.
Siding on the Varney 100. Good cell signal, and nice green new trees
The first spot I encountered looked pretty good – fairly level, not much snow, and cell signal to boot! I was definitely coming back here if the snow would melt enough.
Some snow, but still drivable
The snow started to become more of an issue as I walked up, into the mist. I could see on an aerial that there was a lake in here, we will see if I can get to it or not.
I was walking up a hill, into the low hanging clouds. The between the snow and the steeper road, I wasn’t going to be driving up this part, but I had seen enough boondocking lower down that I felt this was a good area to come, if I could get past the first bit.
Cresting the hill and coming down the other side, I encounter a newly logged out area, new enough that the googles earth does not show any logging, or new roads so all of this is since 2019. The junction ahead has the road on the left on the googles, everything straight is new.
I head left first, following that road down, hoping there would be a trail to the lake, but no luck. Just a lot of deep snow and trees to climb around. Heading back to the junction, I follow the road in the newly logged area. I’d guess this was just logged last year – there is very little vegetation growing here, and it grows fast in these parts.
The logging road drops down a bit, but there is still a lot of logging trash to walk over, then the bush at the bottom to get to the lake. It’s still pretty wet and snowy, but I decided to give it a try and very carefully pick my way through the loose wood and piles of the logged area.
I eventually make it into the brush – but it is thick, wet and slippery. I stop close to the lake, resolving to come back when it is drier and with fishing gear in hand. It has been a long walk, if I camp closer, I’ll be able to walk to this lake and get a little fishing in.
I tried another small lake further south on another hiking trip. I barely glimpsed the lake before giving up on getting to it. The brush was so thick and wet, plus there was still deep snow to go through – I did not want to get soaking wet and possibly break a leg in an unseen hole trying to get closer. But the walk did yield some cool pictures that I will end with.
Next time, I move to a new spot, but will I be able to get closer to the lake? Will I slide off the road again trying to get there? Will I be able to get away from the partying kids? Find out in my next entry!
Probably one of my stay in the RV days as this is the kind of view you get everywhere. Nice, but more enjoyable in the RV
Fog or clouds or mist, the trees hide in it
Heading to the lake. No driving, but you could camp here.
There is a lake in this picture. The trees can’t quite block all of it!
Another dead end potential boondocking spot. You’d camp where I’m standing taking the picture as the last 100m is the rough stuff you see ahead
