Alexander Mackenzie Trail (and more...)

**Prelude: In 2023, after a long summer of running and training for an ultra trail race, I started to feel a pang in my right hip. Long story short, this 'pang' turned into chronic hip pain, likely due to a pinched nerve or tendon and plagued me for almost 2 years. Seeing as I usually love a steady diet of climbing, mountaineering, running and biking of all kinds, this was a big shift for me to be essentially benched. I started to look for things that would give me the sense of adventure I love so much from these self propelled activities. Luckily, I already had a 4x4 truck and after a few key modifications, I started to explore where it could take me. I have been bumbling around the hills for decades getting to trail heads, etc but this was new for me - exploring with the truck. As I would learn, the people I met and the places I got to see made it all very worthwhile and fun and I have picked up another hobby along the way. 

and now...to the story of the Alexander Mackenzie Trail....

'We have a problem', Robin crackled on the radio..I pulled over and ran up to see what could be the issue, which turned out to be a completely shredded tire sidewall. At only a day and a half into a 8 (??) day trip into the remote, rugged and beautiful landscape surrounding the legendary Alexander Mackenzie Trail, our first mechanical had befallen us.

Our group had met up as most groups meet up in this day and age, via facebook.  I had met Robin a couple of years ago and I've had the fortune of joining him on a few off road trips since then - we always have a great time and have LOTS of laughs. Aut-Lin and James were new pals for both Robin and I and through the course of the trip, would all become fast friends.

Meeting along the way as planned, Robin and James in Squamish and Aut-Lin in 100 Mile House, we were off! The long road stretched out before us, forest fire haze providing an somewhat ominous presence in the north as we crept closer and closer to the trail head, about 50KM west of Quesnel. Months of planning had lead to this moment and were all excited and a bit nervous to be tackling one of the more challenging and remote trails in BC. 

The convoy heading north to points known! Excitement ! 

Robin and Aut-Lin discussing the finer points of alternative condiments, was Hanch better that Mayo-Chup? Hard to know unless you try them all! 

Our first camp at the well appointed provincial site just outside of the cultural hub of Quesnel, BC. Great times getting to know each other a bit more and easing into the adventure ahead.

Lined up at a pull out along the way. Ford and Toyota teams!

Alexander Mackenzie trail is very historic and has interesting history connecting the coast to the interior.

About to start the trail - stoked!!!

This crossing is so tite they call it titetown - easy and low volume.

This old growth aspen forest was particularly special for us all as we lumbered through approx 5KM/H...

 Robin!

As we inched NW, the increasing smokiness started to make me question the outcome of the trip. With 3 large fires marked 'out of control' along the route, the largest being 40,000 Hectares, there was no shortage of smoke on the first couple of days.

Robin has this way of somehow cooking me burgers or sandwiches everyday, thanks Robin!!!

Aut-Lin - what a great guy, super stoked the whole trip. Looking happy here pre river crossing!

The mighty blackwater. I waded it from one end to the other before hand, discovering just above the knee depth and slow current throughout, a fairly easy crossing of this famous river for our group.

Robins tire had met with something it didnt like. Pretty rude to do such a thing to such a nice tire!

On Day 1 we had almost no clearing as a group had been through only a week or so before...we were making quite good time as a result.

We enjoyed the very infrequent signs along the way...we were starting to feel like we were 'in it'...

The trail on the first 2 days can be described as a mix between decent double track and very slow, rocky and rough double track...not much in between!  The vehicles had all earned extra pinstripes and dents by now...

Arriving to camp in the late afternoon, it was time or the combo for the ages: red wine in one hand, a coffee in the other!

Robin went 'full soaker' trying to catch a fish and had set his boots up to dry over the propane fire...

My attempt at a quick draw system for the chainsaw. One strap released it and I could grab it down in about 10 seconds.

Camp at Kluskoil Lake on night 1...Beautiful spot and some very interesting cabins and history.

James !! Happier than a pig at breakfast.

Popping out to RD 5000, the 'highway' around here after 1.5 days on the Alex Mack. Shortly after, we fired up the starlink to check on the progress that the fires had made, or hopefully not made. It became clear that the fire conditions were not improving and what was worse, we would be 5 km or so away from the largest active fire for a 30Km stretch. 

I had been really weighing the logic myself, the trip would be pretty uninspiring with the smoke conditions and potentially quite dangerous with the large fires looming ahead. For me, I was done and I was nervous about bringing it up to the crew. I was honest and said I just wouldn't enjoy it if we were battling the thick smoke and fire for 5-6 more days - they agreed and quite quickly we were discussing next plans. I felt bad for Robin as this was exactly the same spot he had to bail from just a couple of years before!

A roadside air up scene, typical of you are into this kind of thing!

We found a quiet spot to camp while we made the decision on where to head next. The mood at this camp was light as we all were relieved to be away from the heavier smoke and into some cleaner air. We partied a bit, cranked the tunes and watched the stars poke out from behind the clearing skies. What a great evening that i'll remember for a long time.

We made a call to head northbound!

The weather on the Northwest Coast of BC was some of the best in the province and what is more, the air was perfectly clear. This was a great decision and ended up turning the fortune of the trip completey.

Aut-Lin making my favourite meal of the trip - fried rice! 

On the way north, Robin had the idea of heading up to a high area in the dark. It was very fun to see everyones lights on, approaching the alpine and the sense of the unknown in our minds. We ended up in this high spot for the night, under clear skies and bundling up in the thinner and colder air. We once again had a party vibe, staying up late, having a few bevvies and generally enjoying eachothers company!

Very memorable!

The next day we ventured along the ridge from camp, following the map into some higher and more alpine terrain...

Some short technical sections here and there....nothing hard.

We were blown away to find ourselves in this higher country, following this perfect road ahead...

We were able to drive right to a summit, complete with a radio repeater - wild!!

THE CREW!!

Some steep sections leaving the summit plateau...

We then headed NW to a new area, which found us in the best camping spot of the entire trip. Next to an alpine lake surrounded by high peaks and glaciers. Absolutely incredible!

As you may have guessed, the party atmosphere continued and we had a great evening hanging out, eating great food and enjoying the clear skies, tunes and company.

Leaving the lake camp...

Working through a recent landslide...

The views, bonks!

We left camp early due to some high winds and decided to cook up somewhere along the trail - this spot, surrounded by big country was the perfect place for a huge breakfast and chill.

Making our way through a washout and creek.

We had one more mission left in us so we headed up into a new zone and found some pretty fun terrain to play in, up high and as with the entire trip - completely to ourselves.

Appreciating the clear weather! We all agreed heading North was the correct call.

Outrageous!! Afterwards, we coasted into town and hit pavement for the very long trip home. Felt wild to be going 100 km/h affer crawling around for the last little while..

These next shots are some that kinda tell a story so read on :

For the Alex Mac, the idea is to bring at least 1 extra fuel tank! The trucks were very heavy heading into the trail...was happy to have the stage 2 leaf pack and tried to go as light as possible elsewhere...

At Kluskoil! Robin perfecting his fly fishing techniques...We fished for a couple of hours and this little spot at the outflow of the lake was incredible fishing for Northern Pike Minnons, which is a bit of a misnomer as some are a good 6-7 lbs - big! Pretty much catch one every cast. 

Party Camp after bailing out of the Alex and deciding to head North to better weather...Even though this site was simply an old gravel pit, it was very memorable for us. To have to change plans completely can make or break a trip, everyone was optimistic and stoked to continue on and see what we could get up to..

The open road...the austere, smokey skies punctuated the first part of the trip.

Robin after buying 2 new tires in PG ! I have learned a lot from Robin about this craft and we have become friends in the process. Thanks Robin!

The best camp ever!! Maybe the most fun night of the whole trip and an absolute gem of a spot.

In Smithers at our final meal together after a bunch of days on the trail. Dusty, scratched and dented rigs tell a story of many miles on dirt, double tracks and rough trails. Many meals shared and laughs had - couldn't have asked for a better trip with some new friends.  It was sad that the trip was over but we were tired, dirty and keen to get home to our respective towns, partners and pets. 

Thanks to Robin, Aut-lin and James for an incredible trip through some stellar terrain. Great to hang out with each of you.

We are already scheming our return to the Alex Mac next year...