Peppers Lake Access - West of Caroline - Winter Camping Suggestions?

Albertadiver · #1 12-20-2010, 08:31 PM

Just wondering if anyone has been out that way lately. Thinking of heading out there for some winter camping with the wife shortly. Any suggestions?

Just looking for a quiet place out of the way to set up camp with access to deadfall for firewood and a creek for water. Cell coverage isn't really needed.

Have a 4x4, so trunk roads should be fine for us.

backpacker · #2 12-21-2010, 03:52 AM

Haven't been out that way lately, but if you go I would suggest going out from Rocky Mountain House as opposed to the trunk road from the south. Corkscrew mountain hill can be very nasty in the winter.
I am new to this area and last fall after fresh snow, heating and cooling I decided to day trip out that way and now you wouldn't get me on that stretch of road till spring. The drive up from the south wasn't bad but as soon as I started down the other side it was "white knuckles" all the way down.
Have fun at any rate.

Mrs.SheepGuide · #3 12-21-2010, 06:10 AM

My Husband wanted me to post here that Corkscrew is a bit slippery and hasnt been plowed. He has been hunting cats and wolves up there and travling it everyday and would also recomend an alternate route.

Albertadiver · #4 12-21-2010, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the tips guys, I should have clarified I wouldn't have gone over corkscrew either. We had a really good scare there a number of years back. Truck and trailer hauling skidoos went sideways to the edge on one of the tight corners. Got stopped at literally the last few inches before everything went over the side. I was a passenger, and it was bad bad black ice.

My thought was to come from the North.

I don't anticipate a ton of people out, so may just try to find a place somewhere along the James River or Clearwater river that isn't too far in.

go-big-or-go-home · #5 12-21-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.SheepGuide

My Husband wanted me to post here that Corkscrew is a bit slippery and hasnt been plowed. He has been hunting cats and wolves up there and travling it everyday and would also recomend an alternate route.

X2 X2 X2 X2 X2

Take the route past Cow Lake

go-big-or-go-home · #6 12-21-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.SheepGuide

My Husband wanted me to post here that Corkscrew is a bit slippery and hasnt been plowed. He has been hunting cats and wolves up there and travling it everyday and would also recomend an alternate route.

X2 X2 X2 X2 X2

Take the route past Cow Lake

Also have fun AD, nothing but Zen out that way

(sorry fella's, i dont know how i managed the double post)

greylynx · #7 12-21-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albertadiver

Just wondering if anyone has been out that way lately. Thinking of heading out there for some winter camping with the wife shortly. Any suggestions?

Just looking for a quiet place out of the way to set up camp with access to deadfall for firewood and a creek for water. Cell coverage isn't really needed.

Have a 4x4, so trunk roads should be fine for us.

Please take pictures.

Please tell Mrs. AD that a Tipitent would really add the comfort of your adventure, and that they are on sale to December 25

Nester · #8 12-21-2010, 10:48 PM

That is an ideal spot.

They did put a compressor shack in the last few years and does get a bit loud at night.

Bring lots of firewood

Jimmy Creek · #9 12-22-2010, 03:28 PM

The trunk road is plowed off and halfway into Peppers lake,but if you have a 4x4 you should be alright.

ducky_hunter · #10 12-22-2010, 05:37 PM

i was up Hwy 752 yesterday lots of logging roads cleand and good areas to camp.

fatboyz · #11 12-22-2010, 09:21 PM

I was there today. Didn't go all the way in to Peppers. Headed up to Ram falls and into Hummingbird. Grader was out today too. 752 and the trunk rd is in great shape. I came over corkscrew and it was OK, but if you met someone coming the other way you're screwed!!! I wouldn't go that way again.

greylynx · #12 12-22-2010, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboyz

I was there today. Didn't go all the way in to Peppers. Headed up to Ram falls and into Hummingbird. Grader was out today too. 752 and the trunk rd is in great shape. I came over corkscrew and it was OK, but if you met someone coming the other way you're screwed!!! I wouldn't go that way again.

What do you do when you hit the potential situation described on Corkscrew?

Do you backup to the last switchback?

59whiskers · #13 12-22-2010, 09:43 PM

I would not go over the Corkscrew in the winter unless you were chained up and ready to move over if your met someone coming the other way. Not much room to move over if you had to on most of that road.

Gumbi · #14 12-22-2010, 11:06 PM

When i was at peppers a couple weekends ago the camp ground was locked up, i can remeber if the over flo was tho.