The second cache in a series I have dubbed 'canadazuuk's camp'n cache collectiv'.
This cache is located at an elevation of approximately 3950 feet, and offers a superb view of the surrounding area for miles and miles afar... This cache is dedicated to TEAM KFWB GPS.
Located west of Boston Bar where it meets The Mighty Fraser lies the Nahatlatch River.
From Boston Bar, turn west at the Esso and cross over to North Bend. Stay going north. At 49:58.165 / -121:30.845 keep to your right, though you could scavenge much needed firewood on the road to the left which ends up following the south side of the Nahatlatch.
A nice spot to camp (free) right next to the Nahatlatch is found at 50:00.089 / -121:34.170. There is room enough for several vehicles and many tents here. Best arrive early on a weekend. Nearby at the Apocynum Rec Site ($10 nightly), you will find a clean toilet at 49:59.841 / -121:33.237. The road going up to the cache is located nearby these sites.
If you prefer to camp by a lake (or in this case 3!), you could always carry on down the road... and while on the way there, make note of the road that ultimately goes to Harrison Hotsprings at roughly 50:00.399 / -121:38.511
Final directions to the cache:
From the Nahatlatch FSR, take the '4 BARREL MAINLINE 300' at 49:59.223 / -121:32.172. This well maintained road will lead you from a 900 foot elevation to 2500 feet, and can be done in 2WD (read: car)
Then, at 50:00.705 / -121:33.161 (2500 feet), continue on the 'deactivated road' to your left. For this part you should have a 4X4 with a low range transfer case. A stock Suzuki Sidekick will do fine. There is absolutely nothing radical or dangerous here, but expect some branches, a few minor cross ditches, and the odd rocky section. This road will lead you to a deserted 2 story Ranger Station at approximately 3950 feet. Accompanying the station is a helicoptor pad. The coordinates 50:01.269 / -121:34.263 are for the centre of the helipad, averaged with a Magellan 330 for 20 minutes. *PLEASE NOTE* The helipad cannot currently be used due to a tree that has grown up within it... it's that old!
To locate the cache:
Stand in the centre of the helipad's 'H' and sight a nearby tree at 270 degrees magnetic. Approximately 15 metres beyond this tree (along the same azimuth), there is another tree and right beside it, a large boulder. In between, you will find a Starfrit Lock & Lock covered by some rocks.
Additional information:
Thanks to lars at BC 4X4, who specifically identified this as a Forest Fire Lookout, I was able to dredge up some interesting links, one of which is REX'S FOREST FIRE LOOKOUT PAGE.
Please also note that the 4th Edition of the Southwestern BC Backroad Mapbook is now available, and it includes WGS84 reference grids AND Relief Maps (topographic shading). The shading absolutely brings this already great general resource to a new level. More information is available here.