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Ascending ArrowsmithAlberni ValleyFebruary 20/05 Written by Singleton Photos by Singleton and KFXRider We arrived at Above and Beyond Power Sports in Coombs at 10am, meeting Victoria Mike, BCBud, Byron from the Mid Island ATV Club, KFXRider from Campbell River, and nine other riders whose names have escaped me. We had a mix of utility quads, sport quads, and 2-wheelers. We departed for the eastern end of Cathedral Grove, and unloaded the machines. We proceeded along a FSR, and turned left after about 2 kms. We climbed up the trail, which was a short-cut to the switchback FSR. After about 20 minutes, we stopped at a clearing with some view. The ground was still brown and green here (GPS 49deg.16.079N/124deg.40.414W. @ 691m elevation), but the temperature and the ground cover soon changed to white as we made our way to the ski hill on Mount Arrowsmith. 
Upon arriving at the ski hill, we found foundations and a few towers, and decided to stop for lunch. Although we were only 3/4 of the way up this mountain (GPS 49deg.148.48N/124deg 35.776W) the view from here was spectacular. The pictures out over the Gulf of Georgia looking to the Mainland barely show Parksville, and the Gulf is hard to distinguish from the scenery. 
After spinning a few wheels in the foot-deep snow, it was back down the mountain to the main FSR. We crossed the valley bottom and began to climb again on mostly-unused FSR with dead fall. We stopped part way up to take pictures (that would be when my camera decided it didn't like cold weather and refused to work). We proceeded up to a frozen lake with a sled track that looked like they had broken the ice in two places (I guess enough power and speed means you don't have to swim!). Two of the quads did doughnuts near the shore. A little bushwacking through the stumps and we were at the other end of the lake. 
We proceeded up the road, stopping at the highest point of the day. One of the Polaris quads had a belt that was disintigrating, so with one owner working and six opinions on the right way to change a Polaris belt, it got done in about 12 minutes. The spot we stopped at (GPS 49deg.09.351N/124deg34.823W) over-looked Alberni Valley and the stacks of the pulp mill. Below us about 100m were two frozen lakes. Byron told us there were two cabins built by the sled clubs hidden in the trees by the lakes. 
Everyone proceeded down the hill and into the cabin area. After walking around and seeing the doors on the 2nd floor, it was time to hit the trail back to the trucks. As the pictures show, the weather was beautiful and the ride was perfect. Thanks to Byron from Mid-Island for leading this ride, and thanks to KFXRider (Paul) for sending in his pictures. 
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