Moose Trophy 2018

July 5-8, 2018.  It was time.  Again.  The second running of the Moose Trophy.  21 people, 10 trucks (actually some SUVs, jeeps, trucks and a subaru with a truck brain implanted), and 2 bikes. Who knew what was going to happen, but it sure was going to happen to a lot of us.  And hopefully we would get to see some fire towers along the way.

Day 1

We met up in Kamloops on July 5 and and got on the same page.  Today's mission... up Mount Lolo as a bit of a shakedown, into Kamloops and then up to Greenstone Mountain and then find a place to camp.  Off we go.

The plan was to do an much gravel road as possible, and after s short bit of pavement, we got dusty.

that's where we are going

The drive up was cool and, unbeknown to me, one of the drivers knew lots about everything, and we got a lot less lost and saw a lot more than we ever would have without him.  This is one of the many thanks to Wes.  More to come.

Lolo is not crazy high (1752m or so), but you sure get a great view on a sunny day.  The area can get pretty smokey in the summer, but we beat that by heading out early in the season.

might not be high, but the view is still great

We all made it to the summit.  There was a fire tower up here a while ago, but it's long gone.  There are gone geocaches that Jordy and Sandy found and some random towers.

Kevin deciding if he wants to jump his car.  he didn't.  this time.

Next stop is through Kamloops for last minute gas and beverages then on to Greenstone Mountain.  It's got an old fire tower up there and somewhere around there we would be spending our first night.

This was the first bit of trail driving.  now we were getting somewhere.  Still sunny sky and great driving and being awesome conditions.

Jordy and Sandy in their new rig

James pulled his homebrew 4x4 tent trailer for over 1000km.  the Jeep is a beast.

We made it to the top for perfect time.  The only people who didn't think so was the young couple joing the 1793 meter high club we interrupted when we all popped in to saw hello.  Sorry no sorry.  I'd never been up here before and I recommend it to anyone's list.  Knock first.

The tower was in good shape.  I'd sleep in in.  Probably will one day.

What a great group we had.  Here's 3 of them. Mike's Jeep and Scott's Taco in the back

After an hour or so, we headed along to find a place to camp.  We ended up at Dairy Lakes.  It's got an open campsite next to a lake.

Wes's Xterra.  Westerra?  The road to the lakes was pretty darn rad.

We got to the lake with plenty of time to set up tents and cook and have a time.

hanging a hammock

We did have 2 dogs with us on the trip.  At first I was a bit hesitant, but you could not have asked for 2 better dogs.  They never barked and were better behaved than I was most of the time.

Apollo

"Where's your tent gonna go?"

Once we were all in our tents, a massive storm hit.  I opened the flap of my tent to watch the lightening.  There wasn't much rain, but the wind was crazy.  I woke up and heard a massive tree snap.  It was far enough away to not be a threat, but close enough you could really here it.  The wolves were howling too.  What a night.

DAY 2

We had a sweet breakfast and broke camp.  Next stop, Mount Savona.  Not far.  Wes and I did a little recon in the morning, and found a sweet trail.  I was excited to get in my truck and drive it.  Watching the others was going to be fun too.  Off we go!

Louie getting started

It wasn't long before we got to a rough bit Wes and I had checked out in our recon.  There was a bit of rocky action, a ditch, then a massively deep trough.  @ water crossings for desert and away we went.

Ross.  His mechanic said his truck was dangerous.  Dangerously awesome.

 It was great fun for us all.  Ashely's first time on a trail like that.  She couldn't stop smiling and asking when was next years Moose Trophy.  Well Ashley, It's July 5-8 2019.

the press box.  and me in my truck.

Mike through the rocks, with Kevin on deck.

What we had to drive around

On the way up to Savona, Wes took us to see some cool pictographs.  The hike was short and the ancient pictures on the massive cliff were incredible.  Thanks again Wes!

Then up the rest of the road to the summit at about 1500m ish.  There was once a fire tower up here, but now just a great view of Kamloops Lake and beyond.

Kamloops Lake down there.  From the summit of Savona.

Now time for some serious driving.  We had about 120km to Ashcroft, were we were meeting 2 new additions to our group.  The Evan and Tony show were waiting for us there after getting some work done to their bikes.  They waited a while.  Sorry doods.

Please welcome Tony and Evan to the show!

After a refuel and meet up in Ashcroft, off to Cornwall Hills.  It's not far out of Ashcroft, which was good because it was getting time to think about stopping.  The road up was fun and full of flowers near the summit.  Cool blue ones everywhere.

The 2037 meter summit was sunny and crazy windy.  We hung out for an hour or so.  The 4WDABC maintains this lookout and it really was incredible.  We drove right to it.  A place I know I will return.

What a view!!!

The classic Cornwall shot.

We would have stayed at the top, but the wind was just too much, so down we went in the late afternoon sun.

The perfect spot to stop was just down from the summit and outside the park.  There was a tiered meadow that we claimed.  A glorious spot.  There is a rec site near the bottom, but i don;t recommend it.  It was full of bugs and cow shit.

Kevin and his chosen spot.

The view from Brian's tent.

We had a great night around a fire.  Tons of stars and good times.

Day 3.

Wes leading us west.

Louie right behind

Down Cornwall and west towards Boston Bar.  That is the order for the day.  But first, lets hit this little mudhole while Kelsey takes pictures.

Ashley

I think my tire is off the ground.

James and the trailer.  

westword

During this stretch we had to make a little detour.  We were supposed to turn south at Hat Creek but that was not possible.  A very friendly guy mentioned that the private property sign were his and they were serious.  He made reference to an excavator he had and how our trucks and bodies would fit nicely in a hole he could dig if we decided to try south.  we went north. then west.  then south to Lytton and Boston Bar.

highway time.  the sea to sky.

Once we were back on track, and in Boston Bar, it was already 3:00ish.  the detour really added some time.  after a quick re-supply in town, it was up Nahatlatch to our final fire tower.  Another one maintained by the 4WDABC.  It was a very rocky road up.  steep in places, but the rocks were the main thing.  After an hour or so we came to the top.  What a place.  what a view.

First thing first, Scott and Brian secure a drop dead view for their tents.

The tower is in great shape.  The whole place was clean and the fire finder and accompanying map was very cool.

Scott scoping it all out.

The dogs and us wasted no time getting settled for the final night of the 2018 Moose Trophy.

Who's a good dog?  Bronx sure is.

We took the final group picture.  All 21 of us proudly displaying the Moose Salute.

We sure didn't go to bed early, and when we did, the tower was a great place for some of us to lay our heads.

DAY 4

Interesting how things we don't want to do get delayed.  Like leaving.  We all had somewhere to be eventually, and we kind of trickled out.  But not after some throwing around some ideas for next year and really soaking up the morning view.

One thing about Nahatlatch is that there is a web cam up there.  If you happen to refresh at the right time, you might have caught the remaining group chilling before the final drive down.

The first group to leave headed west to grizzly falls after making their way down.  We met some of them when the final group headed the same direction.  The drive to the falls was long and bumpy, but the views of Nahatlatch Lake and River were worth every bump.  The falls at about the 48km mark were spectacular.

Nahatlatch Lake

Wes, Scott, Kelsey and Kevin at Grizzly Falls

the bridge home

 Another epic Moose Trophy in the books.  Thanks to everyone that made it out.  See you all again next year I hope.

Ryan



A MASSIVE thanks to some people that made a difference.

Wes.  I had no idea how awesome this guy was.  It was the first time meeting him for all of us.  He knew the area and really took on a leader role.  If you are planning a trip, invite this guy.  He's active with the 4WDABC and participates in all kinds of cool adventures.

James Tirecraft Kelowna.  He brought more water than we could even drink.  If you need tires or truck work.  Check him out.  James TireCraft

water.  thank to James Tirecraft Kelowna.

Backroad Mapbooks.  Their 2nd year getting involved.  They provided some swag for everyone and most of us had their book, app, or gps map open all the time.

Brian, Kelsey and Kevin.  They took most of these photos.  Thanks guys.

Hope to see you all again next year.  If you want to come on this event in 2019, let me know.  We will see what we can do.  Space is limited.  moosetrophyoverland@gmail.com


2018 Moose Trophy Participants

In the orange Jeep                             in the yellow FJ                 In the xterra
James, Sam, Bronx                           Ryan and Jackson              Wes

In the white jeep                               in a tacoma                         in the other tacoma
Michael, Chris and Apollo               Louie and Wayne               Scott and Brian       

In the 4runner                                   In the sequoia                     In the Subaru
Ross and Emma                                Jordy and Sandy                Kevin and Kelsey

on the bikes                                      in the chevy
Evan and Tony                                 Ashley and Mary