I had decided to move on from Coal Harbour, as my explorations did not reveal any other really good boondocking spots. I could try one of the spots I had scouted if nothing worked out in the new area I was going to check out, near Beaver Lake. Based on what I had seen in the aerial photos of the area, there were a few spots that looked promising, surely one of them would work out for some boondocking.
My resupply into Port Hardy was more of the usual. Checking for mail, filling up with gas, dumping tanks, filling water, grocery shopping was all part of the routine now. When I came out from grocery shopping, a not so routine thing was going on. A crowd had started to gather in the A&W parking lot across from the mall parking I was in for the Save on Foods grocery store. The RCMP had also shown up, parking not too far from me, watching the group. This was all occurring during the trucker protests that had paralyzed downtown Ottawa for over a week at that point. Could they have spawned a protest here, this far away from the government powers?
The numbers grew, I could see some signs, but they were too far away for me to read. I debated leaving the area, but they did not seem to be spreading out. I had two exits behind me if I thought things were getting out of hand. The group eventually started down the main road, going by the mall parking lot I’m in. I’m pretty sure they are not trucker protestors at this point. There are drums and wailing going on, and as they get closer, I see bright colorful native garments. A native protest of some sort. I’m still a bit concerned, as they they have gone off down the direction I need to go to check for my mail.
I go fill up with gas first. I run into the RCMP officer that was watching the group and ask him what was up. It turns out it was a protest to remember missing and murdered native women, so many of which have never had the perpetrators caught. I also find out the group is going off to Carrot Park, well out of the way of the post office I need to go to. Such a protest seems so innocent now compared to the madness that occurred in Ottawa. It was even entertaining, more like a parade with the colorful garb, drums and wailing. I wish the natives luck in getting some justice for their lost ones.
I check for my mail, finding nothing there yet – to be expected, it has only been two weeks since it was sent. Off I go to check out my new potential boondocking spots! The drive takes me back to the Rupert Main near the Alice Lake turn off of Highway 19. But you immediately exit the main and head down the Rupert 600 branch, which turns out to not have any logging trucks using it currently. I can tell now by just looking at the road – it is mostly undisturbed, only a few cars and ATVs have been down here lately.
But I do encounter one Jeep partway in the road. I pull over and we chat for a moment. I am checking out a little branch that leads to a lake – there might be a spot in there. The Jeep driver tells me that there is indeed a spot there and it is quite nice and empty right now, perfect for me! I go to pull away, and find I cannot move more than a foot up the hill I have stopped on at the side of the road. It would seem I’m stuck. But no panic; I have not gone off the road and Mr. Jeep driver has said he can pull me out if I need help. The help is not needed though – backing up downhill, steering myself back onto the centre of the road is enough that I can get myself going up the hill past the Jeep which has no problem being right in the ditch to get out again.
I continue down the road, and stop at the little branch road leading to the lake. A quick walking tour shows me there is indeed a good spot for my RV – not a very big spot, but good enough for a couple of small rigs. I drive down and spend a bunch of time maneuvering around trying to get myself level without taking out levelers. It’s worth the effort as I eventually find the location and angle that gets me mostly level. There is even just a little bit of a view of the lake from my window.
I walk down the road the rest of the way to the little lake, all of 100 metres away. It is a nice lake, with a bit of an old dock off to the right. You could launch a boat where the road goes right into the lake no problem. Might be a bit muddy for something big though. 
Of course, as soon as I’m setup, I grab my fishing rod and give it a go. Such a nice day can’t be wasted – need to see if I can catch my dinner and keep the fresh meat from my RV resupply for another day. There is no such luck though. The lake is so calm I can see every ripple in the water. I’m not seeing any fish ripples, so perhaps this lake isn’t going to be supplying me with any meals after all. I’m not too disappointed – it is such a nice day, in fact the last two weeks have had a fair number of sunny or at least no rain days. That certainly helps make up for the crappy December – January snow I had to put up with.
I retire to my rig for the evening. My evening relaxation is disturbed however by someone coming in at 8pm into the site. Now, I know the locals are going to come to this spot – it’s too good between the camping spot and the lake, but 8pm in the February dark? Fortunately, whomever came in left just as quickly. Kids looking for a make out spot, perhaps. We’ll see how it goes – too many visitors and I’m outta here.
A ditch just ahead keeps anyone going further
The next day, I decide to walk to the other lake in the area I can fish in, plus explore some of the other potential boondocking spots in the area. This spot I find is only ten minutes from the lake. The road going there has a little bit of brush and one overhanging tree to trim back a bit, but other than that it is the perfect spot. There is good cell service. The site is level. The paved road is close by, and both towns are about twenty minutes away. There also is likely no one coming down here when you have a nice lake you can go to just down the road. I’ll mark this one on my map of potential spots – it is perfect for staying in the area for extended periods.
Typical Rupert 600 road section. As good as the roads get here.
I continue down the Rupert 600 main road. It is an excellent road as far as these go – other than my little move too far over you are not going to get stuck or lose a wheel driving down this road. I was heading to check out another area I saw on the aerial photos of the region. It was logged fairly recently too, not as recently as the area I have just been in, but still good enough that I expect the roads to be good.
Steep to the left coming in leads to bees and boondocking
The turnoff the main is pretty steep and gravely – I’d have to take a run at it and give ‘er to get up the first bit. But the grade lessens and leaves me with another problem: more brush. It’s not too bad, but I’m a bit surprised this is grown in so much already for looking fairly recent in logging up ahead. Trees can sure grow fast in some parts around here.
I arrive at the first siding I saw on the aerial and find it to be occupied. Another of the bee trailers I have been seeing in the recently logged areas is parked here. Well, at least it means the road will be minimally maintained to this point for beekeeper access. I return down to the main road and continue out to my fishing spot. I end up exploring further up this backroad on a later day. To spare you the pictures and story of finding yet another boondocking spot, I will just summarize and say that several good spots with cell service exist back there if you care to follow the road in.
Beaver Lake Recreation area
I continued back to Highway 19, walking down that a short way then turning on the highway to Port Alice, following that up a little hill to arrive at Beaver Lake. It is not a large lake, but the recreation area there has picnic tables, pit toilets, and a dock to swim or fish from. There is no camping here though, only day use. I will definitely be back here with a fishing rod. I now have two lakes I can try some fishing at in the area!
My adventures were to continue in the area. Join me in my next entry where I explore a forestry interpretive trail, and decide to exercise the ‘nomad’ part of my RV adventure!
