A suggestion for an outdoor adventure location(s)?

[FlyingBarney]

I am looking for ideas for outdoor places to explore, leaving from Vancouver, that will ideally combine all of the below:

- Nature and wilderness
- A bit of off-road driving
- Hike
- Water (river, lake, ocean) for the puppy dog to swim

Can be a day long adventure, or an overnight.

Would appreciate suggestions.

Thanks,
Simon

[after oil]

if youre willing to pay for ferries, powell river has all of the above. heck, id even loan you a canoe so you dont have to pay overheight to get one here...
theres tons of campsites on rivers and lakes, theres a million trails, and plenty of off roading...

[lrp374]

The best info is through the Forestry maps which show all ( most of ) their sites. Pick and area and expand till you find what your looking for. http://www.tca.gov.bc.ca/sites_trails/f ... ve_map.htm You could also buy a Backroads Mapbook or CD


If you have any questions let me know.


Larry

[jaggedfish]

I second AfterOil's recommendation... the Sunshine Coast is wonderful even if you don't go as far as Powell River (2 ferries). The Sechelt area has tons of water (fresh and salt) and some nice, relatively easy backroads to explore. There's lots of walks and hikes to some beautiful places and the scenery is outstanding in my opinion. The water in the summer is usually warm enough for puppy and parents alike. Decent camping in several private and provincial sites - nice B&B's too.

Come up and enjoy! Let us know if you do.
Cheers!
Ian

[FlyingBarney]

I second AfterOil's recommendation... the Sunshine Coast is wonderful even if you don't go as far as Powell River (2 ferries). The Sechelt area has tons of water (fresh and salt) and some nice, relatively easy backroads to explore. There's lots of walks and hikes to some beautiful places and the scenery is outstanding in my opinion. The water in the summer is usually warm enough for puppy and parents alike. Decent camping in several private and provincial sites - nice B&B's too.

Come up and enjoy! Let us know if you do.
Cheers!
Ian

Thank you all for your suggestions. Sunshine coast, here we come. Soon... almost on the way...

Simon

[maw]

Living in Vancouver you basically have two "easy" options.

1) Head to Squamish
2) Head to Chilliwack/Harrison

Both offer hundreds of Forest Service Roads(FSR) and 4x4 driving(old unmaintained roads). There are many rivers and lakes you can access by these road networks. Personally, I favor Squamish Valley. However, Chilliwack valley is also very nice and lot's of amazing road networks up there(Chipmunk Creek and Airplane FSR). Sunshine coast is awesome, but you have to pay a ferry and it's more of an ordeal to get there.

I don't think you're going to find any step by step directions on this forum. The basic advice is to get yourself a backroad mapbook and go exploring!

Here is an alternate link to the same backroad mapping service: http://aardvark.gov.bc.ca/apps/recst/

[Artacoma]

Look for the Cheewat Cedar on Vancouver Island , about 2 hrs drive from Victoria and 45 minute hike in awesome old growth forest and a dip in lake cowichan on the way home.

[Remillard]

Look for the Cheewat Cedar on Vancouver Island , about 2 hrs drive from Victoria and 45 minute hike in awesome old growth forest and a dip in lake cowichan on the way home.

Speaking of Vancouver Island, Schoen Lake Prov. Park, 141km north of Campbell River. BEAUTIFUL! Bring a boat if you can.

Anyway, not sure if I should start my own thread or co-opt this one *shrug* Okay, since I'm already here and it is on topic: looking for camping suggestions on the Sunshine Coast. Need non-4wd access (as I don't have a Deli..... YET.... just my Matrix), ocean view is good, not worried about facilities - we'll be tent camping, hiking, beaching, photo-ops, etc.

Thanks in advance