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Mike Lake Series LbNA #9131

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jul 9, 2004
Location:
City:Maple Ridge BC
County:British Columbia, CAN
State:British Columbia, Canada
Boxes:3
Planted by:Secret Gardeners
Found by: 4Adventure
Last found:Jul 20, 2008
Status:FFFF
Last edited:Jul 9, 2004
Clues
British Columbia's Golden Ears Provincial Park Series #2 “Mike Lake Series”
Nearest town - Maple Ridge, BC.

Degree of Difficulty - Medium


Additional information and maps as to the location of the park can be found at the following website

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/golden.htm


Golden Ears is one of the largest provincial parks in British Columbia, encompassing an incredible 55,590 hectares of mostly undeveloped wilderness. In the 1920s, the forested slopes of the valley became the site of BC's greatest railroad logging operation until a disastrous fire swept through the valley in 1931. It is also one of, and possibly the most popular park in the province. The park was named after the twin peaks of Mount Blanshard, which shine gold from the setting winter sun. Golden Ears lies in the Coast Mountains, north of the mighty Fraser River. It extends 55km north through untamed mountain wilderness to an impenetrable barrier of mountain peaks and steep-sided valleys that separate it from Garibaldi Provincial Park. Second-growth forests of western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir cover much of the landscape. At higher elevations, forests give way to alpine meadows and, at even higher elevations, permanent snowfields.

From the site of Mike Lake Camp, (start at the story sign) where 600 or more men logged the area in the 1920’s. You’ll see that Transport Canada prohibits power or electric boats on the lake, pass this notice – to the left – and head towards the yellow gate.

Box #1 – THE ENT BOX

Once through the gate, follow the cables on your left for as long as you can see them, pass 0.0 and not too far along you will spot an “ENT” watching over the trail. If you have read or seen “The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers” you will know that an ENT is a guardian of the forest who watches all.

Take time to visit this very old ENT and wonder at his size before going around him to stand with your back to him. Look to 11 o’clock and in the distance, a bit higher up, you will see a lesser ENT who hopes you will venture near enough to visit too, as he holds the box you seek.

**Caution! Walk with care as the forest floor has many hidden dangers and potholes

BOX #2 - MALCOLM KNAPP RESEARCH BOX:

Back on the trail venture on in the direction you were heading; note that there are many more ENTS through out the forest all watching your every move. These “Ents” were formed back when the loggers cut the notches for their springboards to enable them to start their cuts above the wide base of the tree. And now these remains are the guardians of the forest, their eyes watching all that come and go. Notice how quiet it is with just the whispering through the trees.

Very soon you will enter the University of British Columbia Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. Watch for Flying Squirrels! Turn right on to the Lake Trail and as you descend does your skin crawl as if you are being watched …. The forest is alive!

Crossing over an old corduroy section you should spot a large boulder to the left. Approach the boulder to stand beside it and face down hill. Turn to face 3 o’clock and prepare to pace uphill.

Note: There will be obstacles that you will need to “over” come, but 25 paces to the top you will encounter an old stump that holds what you seek.

BOX #3 – NEW BEGINNINGS BOX:
Return to the boulder and continue your search for water. Caution, “Smaug” awaits you on the corner but keep going – down – down – down, over corduroy roads, a small creek and you’re almost there. Keep left till you reach the board walk – sponsored by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC – cross over and again enter the dark rain forest.

Pass burnt out stumps on your left and marvel at the regrowth that comes after a fire. Very soon you will spot the lake on the right, and you will go up a little incline. Climb slowly and watch on your left for “a new beginning”. Following fires, logging and other natural occurrences in the forest, seeds burst open and young trees begin their lives, often in or on “nurse trees”. This one holds the “New Beginnings Box”.

Back on the trail, you have almost circled the lake, so continue on. DO NOT BE TEMPTED BY THE LAKE, keep to the main trail and when you, very soon, reach the bar and fork in the trail, you will be able to see where you are. Keeping to the right will take you across a bridge and along the trail back to the main road. Turn right and follow the road back to “Mike Lake Camp”.