Upper Toad River - info on wildlife density/trails

[geoskier]

Wondering if anyone has any info on the upper Toad River (above Moose Lake). I am considering quadding in as far as the official access road goes and then hiking in to the headwaters of the river. Does anyone know if there is a good horse trail up the valley? Also, I am assuming there is a fairly good density of sheep in there, as well as moose and caribou. Does anyone want to comment on this? Any chance for elk in there?

I horse packed from the gataga river into the area as a kid but I haven't been in that part of the MK since then. Thinking it is some of the more remote wilderness I can get into without a fly/boat in. The issue of a ~20km pack out isnt an issue (not saying it will be easy) for sheep but anything else will need to be near the end (within 5km) of the quad trail. - this is assuming there is a trail to follow.

[ryanb]

Almost universally in BC, anywhere there is good sheep hunting, there is a horse trail. If there is no horse trail, there probably aren't many sheep.

[GoatGuy]

Trails all through that country. That patch is probably one of the busiest 'hike-in spots' in the province.

[rides bike to work]

Horse trails
Please Note: All trails within the Northern Rockies are wilderness trails and should be done by experienced riders only.


Tetsa River
Several off-loading areas leading riders into the Tetsa River Valley, Tetsa Lake, Dunedin River and the Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Park.


Tetsa River Pull Out 1: M=365 KM=585
Pull out to the left side of the highway going north just before reaching Tetsa River Bridge #1. This parking and off-loading area is used to access two trails. One leads south into the Tetsa Valley and the other leads north into the Dunedin River Valley.


Tetsa River Pull Out 2: M=382 KM=619
Pull-out to the left side of the highway going North. This parking and off-loading area is used to access the Tetsa River Valley.


Stone Mountain Provincial Park: M=373 KM=598
Trail leads off from Summit Lake Campground, leading into the Bathtub Creek area and the North Tetsa River Valley.


McDonald Creek: M=378 KM=605
A large off-loading area used to access the McDonald Valley or further on to the Wokkpash.


jump to top ^
Motorized Route Information for Non-Guided Trips
Motorized access to a special management area called the Muskwa-Kechika, which falls within the boundaries of the Northern Rockies, is restricted to specific designated routes called “Access Management Area” (AMA) routes. These are specifically designated routes for 4x4s, ATVs and snowmobiles that are also suitable for horseback riding. Each AMA route has different restrictions on it as some will allow full sized vehicles under 500 kgs (ATV or snowmobile). Travel on these routes is also restricted to either within 10 metres or 400 metres (dependent on the trail) on each side of the route, for conservation purposes.


Wokkpash Corridor: M=382 KM=619
A 54 kilometre route with several unbridged creek crossings, one at McDonald Creek, one at Wokkpash Creek and one at the Racing River. This is a full sized vehicle route (400 metre restriction off each side of the trail) until just after crossing the Racing River. At that point it becomes an ATV trail until its end. There are several camp areas to choose from along the route. This is a popular place for Moose, Stone’s Sheep and Caribou.


Nonda Creek Corridor: M=409 KM=658
A 25 kilometre route for full sized vehicles with travel restricted to 400 metres on either side of the trail. In less than a kilometer, take the left fork to drive up to the top of Nonda Corridor. This area is good for Elk, Stone’s Sheep and Moose.


West Toad Corridor: M=425 KM=689
A 23 km route that is open to full sized vehicles for its’ entire length, but travel to each side of the route is restricted to within 10 metres. There are two main creek crossings: one near the beginning of Tandzie Creek and another across the West Toad. A few kilometers in, you will pass through an outfitters’ lodge site (please reclose gate if you find it that way) on the way to Moose Lake. This area is popular for Moose, Stone’s Sheep and Mountain Goat.


Yedhe Creek Trail: M=424 KM=687
A 36 kilometre route that is mostly restricted to ATV travel. The trail starts out by crossing the Toad River over the Davis Keyes bridge behind the gravel pit. Take a quick right off the bridge and continue until a junction. The trail to the right leads through the McDonald First Nations Reserve and on to Moose Lake. The left trail leads along Yedhe Creek then into the mountains. A good area for Moose.


Liard River Corridor M=478 KM=774
A 56 kilometre route that allows full sized vehicles for the most part. About 2 kilometres along the trail, there is a fork in the road. The right fork leads to a camp area on the edge of the Liard River. The left fork leads to an outfitters’ lodge (please travel around the gate to the left) where the trail becomes an ATV route. The trail continues on, pulling away from the Liard, crosses the Deer River, passes Nordquist Lake and ends at an old airstrip in another 6 kilometres. Good area for both Moose and Caribou.


Areas Outside of the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Liard Highway
This highway leads north to the Northwest Territories. There are many access points off of this road due to forestry and oil and gas activity in the area. Along its’ entire length, this highway offers excellent access points for Moose hunting.


Sierra Yoyo Desan Road M=282 KM=453
Take the Airport Connector road from within Fort Nelson town limits (first road to the right after crossing over the Muskwa River) and continue past the airport. This leads east into an area of high oil and gas activity, and is very good Moose territory.


Smith River Road: M=500 KM=810
This road is an old Forestry road, which leads back to an abandoned military base. At the end of the road are West Lake and Crooked Lake with camp spots. Good area for Moose and Bear.

from the tourism fort Nelson website

[kennyj]

Wow! Thats some great info Bike rider. Thanks for posting that up.
kenny

[geoskier]

Trails all through that country. That patch is probably one of the busiest 'hike-in spots' in the province.

Still overly busy come September?