[Teppit1]

I remember about 10-15 years ago doing lots of exploring in the backroads around mission/mountains betw alouette and stave and recently have gone there but there seems to be locks and gates on every road. how's a guy supposed to go fishing? What's up with all these locked gates lately, is it to keep out the monster truck nature destroyin' thrash campers or what? Any way to get keys to those gates?

 

[Steelie Trav]

Gates have been put in for a number of reasons all across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley areas. Mostly due to idiots and car thieves. Too many cars get dumped in any particular area and it is closed off. The other would be idiot campers leaving grossly huge messes on the sides of roads, campsites or any pull of area they can get too. I have a growing concern for what is left of our off-road use, I have seen too many areas get blocked off for these reasons.

Acquiring a key will be a lengthy process, if you make it through. Best way is to try and align yourself with a 4x4 group. More often then not these are the ones who have pursued access into these areas and have recieved it in a few cases. 4x4ers are not the ones to point the finger at, the majority of the 4x4 community is a respectable bunch, very similar to anglers. However just like in fishing you will find the idiots mixed in with them. The few always make the rest look bad! I have been a 4x4 enthusiast for a while, for the last little while I have been unable to lift my last couple of trucks so I have been limited on where I can go.

 

[Teppit1]

that's what i suspected Steelie, it really is a shame that all the rest of us suffer b/c of a few idiots. We used to 4x4 in the area lots. now a guy really has to go out of his way to reach some good trails

 

[canadian]

Why should innocent people be punished for what they are not responsible for?

Unfortunately because the few idiots ruin it for everyone else and it makes it easier just to close it off.

I know most of us do not cause problems, litter, vandalize and I am wondering if maybe a fishing group could go in halfers or alone in hiring a security guard so the gates will be open? I know that costs money and so many places but what else can be done? Maybe volunteer's watching the right areas may help convince the powers that be to open the gates? But then we/you/whoever would have to make sure someone is there...

I dunno but I sure do not like the way things are headed.

 

[Chris]

The keys can be aquired from the mission municiplaity, $50 deposit, and I think you get $20 back when you return it. You have to know the lock number of the gate that you want to access before you get the key......That is unless you know where to get a master key....
I've been up lots of the roads that you describe, and I haven't found any fishy water yet!! I'll keep looking though 8)