Shuswap - Crowfoot Meadows Traditional Cache
Shuswap - Crowfoot Meadows
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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An amazing alpine experience with panoramic views over Shuswap Lake. You will find an amazing assortment of wildflowers all summer long. Watch out for grizzly bears!
Be very respectful of the environment as the alpine ecosysyem is very sensitive. If you are driving a 4x4 or ATV stay on the roads / trails to avoid damaging the flora. There are some cool bonzai type trees that are 100's of years old.
This cache is located just off the trail in a small cluster of trees.
The following trail information is from (visit link)
Distance: 8+ km from start of Sheep Track to Crowfoot Meadows; 5.5+ km from top of Sheep Track to Crowfoot Meadows; additional 6 km from Crowfoot Meadows to Mobley Mountain
Duration: 4 + hours (one way from bottom of Sheep Track, 2 + hours (one way) from top of Sheep Track to Crowfoot Meadows; additional 2 hours (one way) to Mobley
Max Elevation: Crowfoot Mountain 1981 metres; Mobley Mountain 2042 metres
Starting Elevation: Bottom of Sheep Track 763 metres; Top of Sheep Track 1584 metres
Description: Trail leading to the meadows on Crowfoot and Mobley Mountains. Outstanding views of the surrounding Shuswap highlands and glacier carved valleys, wildlife, birds, and wildflowers.
Access: Approx 9.4 km west of Sorrento on Hwy 1, turn left onto Squilax-Anglemont Rd and follow it approx 26 km to Celista. 2 km east of Celista, turn left onto Begulin Rd and up the hill for 1.5 km. Turn right at the stop sign at the top of the hill onto Line 17, then left onto Garland Rd. Proceed 2.6 km until Garland Rd becomes #730 Forest Service Rd at the first corner. Watch for logging trucks. Turn right and follow the main road for approx. 1.7 km, then take the right fork. At 2.2 km cross a bridge and continue up the hill. At 2.8 km stay on the main road (passing a road on the right) then stay right (passing a fork on the left).At approx. 3.1 km find the start of the old sheep trail (now a wide ATV track) on the left. The 8 km trail starts at this point.
Optionally continue to drive high up the Forest Service Rd until a Deactivated Road sign signals the junction with the 4wd “sheep” track. (Look for a sign on the right labeled “East Way” marking the continued trail to the meadows. Park here for a solid walk up to the meadows and back (6 + km return), or a cross-country mountain bike ride up to Mobley Lookout and back (approx 20 km return). (Or – if time is limited or mobility compromised, continue driving (4x4) up the skid road and start higher up, but beware, this is a rough off road track.) NOTE: Protect the delicate flora and fauna of this area by staying on the trails. Area is heavily used by ATVs in the summer.
Detailed Trail Information: From the junction of the old sheep track with the forestry road (at the Deactivation sign), follow the 4wd sheep track up and through the lower bench (making lots of noise for bear through here), and then climb the switchbacks up to the meadows. At the point where the track finally emerges into the meadows and leaves the trees watch for a track to your left. This circles back to the cabin maintained by the North Shuswap Snowmobile Club. The main track to the right continues through the meadows gently climbing north toward the old Mobely Fire Lookout (also maintained by the snowmobile club.) Watch for a track off to the right just before the final climb up to the Mobely Fire Lookout. This is the track along the ridge over to Fowler (Grizzly) Mountain.
Side excursions can also be linked through the eastern meadows overlooking the South Shuswap. Take the obvious track right/east off the main track, contouring over to the east slopes and around the south side of the meadows. Be sure to stay to the obvious trails to eliminate further widening of the track.
Note: There is a range license in the area. Avoid disruption to cattle herds.
Warning Notes: CAUTION: Be well prepared, as this is remote backcountry with grizzly habitat.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)