[召集]:Mt. Alpen - snowshoeing 1月6,号2018 (星期六) @7am

Alpen Mountain  British Columbia .
Height: 1711 m

Located just 3 km SE of the junction of Skookum and Mamquam rivers, beween Raffuse Creek and Mamquam R. This is an ideal ski ascent peak. In addition to the peak are a series of other peaks all above treeline. There are four peaks on the ridge, from north to south 1709m,1654m,1706m, and 1702m. They stretch out over 4 km. All are just barely above treeline. The second peak from the north has been referred to as "Split Peak" because of a notch right at the summit. It could be reached via the ridge from the main peak, but most parties are out of steam upon reaching the main summit.

Name Notes: Alpen is the German name for the Alps. It is also a village in the district of Wesel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is situated between the Ruhr area and the border with the Netherlands. The municipality consists of the settlements Alpen, Menzelen, Veen and Bonninghardt. In 2005 there were about 12.800 inhabitants. Documentary mentioned for the first time was Alpen in 1074.

Access / Route
Via Alpen Spur Road Ski to summit. Typically done as a ski route. Drive as far up the Alpen spur till stopped by snow, then ski up the road and into the subalpine. To avoid snowmobiles, you can turn left onto spur road at 3600'. This takes you up an old road, then up into the subalpine. The final peak is best climbed by bypassing it with a high traverse, then getting onto the south ridge. The south ridge is tricky because there are numerous little ledges and snowdrifts. 3000' elevation gain

Mamquam River Main Road:

General Route: Road runs along the south side of Mamquam River. KM Markers only go to 13.

Markings: The 1:50K shows much of the road up to the fork as a red dotted line.
InfoSources: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/DSQ/Engineering/roadinformation.htm

Condition: Occasionally graded, but usually rough. Used by 5-10 vehicles per weekend. Beyond km 29.4 the road is overgrown and blocked but can be walked to it's end..

Description: This is one of the few roads still marked with mileposts instead of Km posts, but our descriptions use km. The road starts out very smooth, running northeast below the steep northern slopes of the Stawamus Chief. After the junction with Indian main at 3.8 km, the Mamquam road continues northeast, and climbs a fairly steep and prolonged hill. This hill is climbable with a front wheel drive car without excessive slippage. At 6.8km you go past Mulligan Spur, then at about 8 km you go down a fairly steep little hill to reach the Raffuse Creek Bridge at 8.7 Km. On the other side of Raffuse Creek, you again climb steeply to over 400m and go along a section lined by concrete blocks on the north side. Below these blocks is a spectacular view of the canyon of the Mamquam River. It is worth a brief stop to see this.

After the canyon section, you pass the Alpen Spur at 9.5km, then descend to the level of the Mamquam River, and then reach the Mamquam River Bridge (12.8 km). This bridge takes you to the north side of the Mamquam River, which goes by a campsite, then you cross the bridge over Skookum Creek at km 13.0. This is a new bridge with a cement deck. The next few km are fairly level, but have lots of potholes. You cross Martin creek at 19km, then Crawford Spur and the Crawford Creek bridge at 21.1 km. At 21.5 km is the old fork for Mamquam West main, which used to cross the river. It is now useless, with the bridge out. Continuing on the main, you could originally reach several other roads but as of 2016 the bridge at 25.9 is out so I don't discuss them here.

How to Find:
The Mamquam River Forest Service Road (FSR) leaves Highway 99 about 1 km south of Squamish at the Apron parking lot (Stawamus Chief Provincial Park). (*1)



Alpen Mountain spur (Mamquam P Line)

General Route: The road climbs up the NW flank of Alpen Mountain.

Condition: 2015: Gate at bottom always open. Road maintained for snowmobilers to access their hut.

Description: There is a green gate at the bottom of the road, which is normally unlocked. Keep left at the level clearing (former construction camp) 200 meters in from the gate then right at the next fork. From there, the main road is the only one that is not overgrown until around 1100 meters ASL at Km 5. Then there is a confusing number of road forks. The road to the Hidden Valley cabin stays on the west side of the ridge. There is another deactivated road that wraps around to the east side of the ridge which is sometimes used as a ski route. It has the advantage of lower sled presence but it is also a pleasant ski route.

How to Find:

Drive Mamquam River FSR across Raffuse creek and to +9.5km. The Alpen spur is on the right near the top of the climb up from Raffuse Creek and just past a large green water tank.

49°42' 58.2"-123°02' 22.8"=Km 0 Mamquam Main

49°41' 32.4"-122°59' 40.8"=Km 7 or 8 Hidden Valley cabin