Proposed: Upper Eagle Valley Pocket Wilderness
Upper Eagle River Valley, north of Harrison Mills, B. C. Last remnant of Chehalis Valley bottom old growth forest, possible haven for the endangered Spotted summer1987 Photo credit:Paul George
Description
The Upper Eagle Valley is the last remaining unlogged portion of valley bottom in the entire 800 square mile area between Harrison and Stave Lakes. Protected from the chainsaw until now by its relatively long distance to the mills, logging is scheduled to begin in this 10 square mile Pocket Wilderness in late spring of 1987. Special features which would be lost forever include virgin valley bottom forest, natural year round clear flowing streams, at least two spectacular waterfalls, and a pristine wilderness corridor approach to the popular world class mountaineering destination of Grainger Peak.
The old growth forest remnant at the top of Eagle Valley is essential habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, possibly including the elusive Spotted Owl. Official sightings of this species, one of the rarest in North America, were recorded in 1985 and 1986 at nearby Chehalis Lake. In the spring of 1987, a PWC expedition heard a Spotted Owl again at the Lake. Since this bird requires undisturbed old growth forest for its home, it would not be surprising if the ancient stands in Upper Eagle Valley still harbours a few Spotted Owls. The area has never been checked for this owl, yet at this moment Canadian Forest Products bulldozers are racing to build a road into the valley, to remove its trees before the public is alerted to the issue. The Pocket Wilderness Coalition requested a 2-year deferral of logging in Upper Eagle, to allow time for recreation and wildlife impact studies, but was flatly turned down by Maple Ridge Forest District. Your support is urgently needed now to lobby for the protection of this priceless wilderness heritage.
Access
Drive east on the Lougheed Highway to the Sasquatch Inn at Harrison Mills, and turn left here at the sign directing traffic to the Hemlock Valley Ski area. Take the first left on the gravel logging road leading past the Canadian Forest Products logging headquarters. Follow the main logging mad 23 miles to the Forest Service campsite turnoff at the north end of Chehalis Lake. Make sure to make a right hand turn just past the bridge over Statlu Creek, 9 miles up the logging road from Harrison Mills. Beyond the north end of Chehalis Lake a sturdy 2-wheel drive truck or 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. Stay on the main logging road for six km past the above mentioned campsite turnoff, cross the bridge over Upper Eagle Creek, and take the first road to the right. Follow this road to the end and you have arrived at the southern end of the Upper Eagle Creek Pocket Wilderness.
Topographic Map References 1:50,000 92G/8 -Stave Lake 92G/ a - Stave River 92H/5-Harrison Lake 92H/12 -Mount Urquart
Click on map to enlarge.
