Hiking In The Knuckleheads

Latitude: 49deg 56min North, Longitude: 124deg 9min West (Topographic Map 92F/16)

Elevation of the Knuckle at around 5500 ft, the thumb at around 5300 ft. The ridge from the Knuckleheads extends in a westerly direction. The Knuckleheads recreation area is approximately 3 miles by 2 miles (unofficial) of gently sloped terrain. The area is part of the provincial forest which is maintained as a working forest, a portion has been logged and replanted, the clear-cut areas and the old logging roads are very suitable for hiking.

The elevation of the sub-alpine area falls within the Coastal Snowbelt, snowfall usually begins at November and continues till May. Largely the area is on the north slope of the range and remains sheltered from the sun. Snow can stay on the ground until as late as June. Snow depth ranges from 10 feet to 16 feet around January.

Start from the Highway 101, turn onto Dixon Road, drive for 3 miles, turn into the Stillwater Mainline, Lois Lake is on your right, at Mile 8 turn right at the Tin Hat Junction, past Horseshoe Creek, past Freda Creek, turn left at the Third Lake Road Junction near Mile 13, up the hill, “A” branch is on your right at Mile 15.5, keep going straight past another bridge, then turn right into “E” branch at Mile 16, drive for 2 miles to the junction of “E” branch and “E100,” stay on the right and one mile farther you will come to a locked gate, park before the gate. The Stillwater Mainline is restricted to public access between 5am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Call (604) 485-3100 for more information or the 24 hour road info line at 604-485-3132. The logging road is mostly gravel and can be rough at different places, a truck or 4 wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended.

The Knuckleheads Recreation Area was a concept developed in the summer of 1996. In the fall of 1997, a small group of people formed the Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association and began turning the concept into a reality. The old Mount Diadem Ski Club lift shack ( A Branch Cabin)  was converted into a winterized cabin which can accommodate up to 8 people for overnight stay. The cabin is closed in, insulated and has a pellet stove for heat. Wood pellets which are donated by either individuals or the Forest Services and are brought up the mountain during the summertime. The supply is usually adequate. There is a propane cook stove and a white gas lantern. A picnic table has been built inside the cabin for dinner seating arrangements. The sleeping area is up in the loft which has a mattress and several pillows. The basement crawl space is used for storage. An outhouse without door is located about 100 feet northeast from the cabin. People using the cabin should bring their own sleeping pads, sleeping bags, food, dishes, cutlery and pots and pans. Keep the place tidy and pack out all your garbage. Water is available from from the creek at the switchback trail turnoff.

A second cabin is located in the bowl accessed by “E” branch which is an old logging road. The elevation of the cabin is approximately at 3200 ft. Parking before the gate which is approximate a mile from the junction between “E100” and “E” branch, it takes about a hour and a half of uphill hiking to get from the gate to the cabin. The road from the gate up is used as a skiing trail in the winter so ATV and motorcycle users are asked to avoid using it when there is snow on the ground.

Presently the good trails are: “E” branch from the gate to the cabin, 3K “E400” from “E” branch towards “A” branch, 1.5K The trail between the end of “E400” into the old clear-cut area is slightly steep at the beginning and is only 6 feet wide, .5K Old clear-cut area, 2K of roads “A700”, 1.5K “A900”, 3K The trails in progress: Switch back trail, old road from “E” branch towards Alpha Lake, uphill, peaks at the MOM (Mount of Moon), 2K From the MOM down to Alpha Lake, .75K downhill. Carry a map, GPS and a compass and enjoy your hike.