Gold Bridge to the East Hurley has heavy traffic with logging trucks and industrial traffic for the Jamie Creek IPP project.  The sides of the road have been clear cut for the power lines so this section of road looks a lot different now.  Most of the Hurley Road is rough, wet and full of pot holes.  The top 2km has slush/ice sections.  The switchbacks on the Pemberton side are in good shape and it’s the best section of road right now!  Please use 4×4 when climbing up from the Pemberton Valley to conserve the road surface.   There is a broken down sled on the side of the road and also a couple of vehicles.

The Cadwallader Bridge by the mine has been compromised by high water and is closed until further notice. Water has also overrun 3 culverts between Bralorne and the steel bridge so people heading to Bralorne will have to go through Gold Bridge.

Potholes on the Hurley!

Sled on the side of the road

Conditions near the summit

Tom Illidge Hurley clearing machine!

There are reports in of a bridge  closure on the Cadwallader tonight between Bralorne and the East Hurley so Bralorne residents may have to drive through Gold Bridge tomorrow.

Look for the Bridge River Valley tent on Friday at the East Hurley split selling I Survived The Hurley T-Shirts and Stickers again this year!  More details to come………

Click this link for driving tips on a BC Resource Road  Have a safe season driving the Hurley!

Tom Illidge clearing the Hurley May 2013

Update from Brad Bushill, Area Manager, Ministry of Transportation

I was up yesterday with the Avalanche Technician and we for an initial assessment to see if an attempt can be made this year to open the road.

Currently there we probed 190cm compacted snow at the summit. We estimate that if the weather remains warm we should see around 120cm at the summit tapered out over approx 6kms in about 3 weeks. If this holds true the funding remains in place, there is equipment available, and the avalanche conditions do not prevent us from working, there should be no issues in having the road open for the long weekend in May.

I must stress that there are a lot of factors besides snow depth which need to align for this project to proceed and they are assessed each year on a year to year basis. It should not be assumed that money will be allocated and conditions will be favorable for an opening each year. This year as of now it appears that there is a high probability it will be able to be opened.

Regarding gradings. I can only speak for the summit portion between the steel bridge near Long Goat Rd over the summit. IRL graders are committed to the stabilization dust palliative project until late June / July. Following this they will fit a grade in at some point. Last season it was graded once by IRL and the MOTI section is generally flatter and the surface remains relatively good as noted last year in a joint field visit with Director Demare. The recent logging west of Bralorne has resulted in brushing, drainage upgrades and they will be required to grade the Hurley River Road on our unmaintained portion locally known as the “East Hurley”.

As noted above MOTI has jurisdiction on the portion between Squamish Forest District right through to Bralorne. The classification of the road is a 6f with 6 being the summer maintenance classification and f designating the winter maintenance classification which is closed in winter, no maintenance. There are numerous specifications for all aspects of road maintenance associated with the 6 designation however they are done on a much lesser frequency as 6 is a low designated road.

MOTI will continue to focus our efforts on maintaining access along the year round opened Road 40.

Update from Malcolm Schulz, Engineering Officer , Sea to Sky Forest District

We will aim at carrying out two grades between the Lillooet River turnoff, and the “Welcome to Squamish” sign.  Similar to the Cascade District, we are aiming at doing these after the long-weekend to prolong the effect.  Although there is signage at the bottom of the hill, I would encourage all users to use four wheel drive, as this obviously helps prolong the life on the steep grades.

Throughout the summer we hope to replace two large culverts on the switchbacks.  A temporary road closure will be planned for mid-week.  Once a schedule has been determined I will forward it.

We are also working with MoTI (Squamish), to try and secure millings for the steep switchback grades.  No word yet if those will become available. All projects are obviously contingent on funding being approved.

Update from Ken Conway-Brown, Engineering Officer, Cascades Forest District

The section from Gold Bridge to the East Hurley turnoff will be graded by Aspen Planers this spring. Once they are done hauling we will take over and grade after the long weekends as we have done in previous years. We hope to finish brushing a short section in the fall as well.

This sunny section of the Hurley always melts out first so don’t get too excited about driving a vehicle over anytime soon!   As far as we know, Interior Roads have not started work on clearing the road yet.  Keep checking back for Hurley updates as they start to come in.  If you would like updates sent to your email inbox please fill out the “Follow via Email” box to the right of this post.

Check this new page for tips on driving the Hurley and other resource roads in BC.

Hope Creek section of the Hurley

2.6 m of snow at summit.  Lower than average for this time of year.

Snowmobiles & Backcountry Snowcats are staging at 12.5 km on the Pemberton side right now but the there is almost a kilometer of dirt to ride across before you get to a full snowpack around km 16.5.  There is 260cm of snow at the summit of the Hurley and about 80cm at the Hope Creek junction.

Avalanche Risk: there are the usual slide paths off Green Mt and there would be significant risk with warming temperatures. The Hurley has yet to see the spring cornice failures that often trigger the bigger slides.  There have been heavy winds and slab buildups in the alpine, so assume that all the slide paths would present some avalanche risk at this time of the year.

The snow has been going through a diurnal meltfreeze cycle to about 2100m over the last 5 days. It is frozen with 5cm snowmobile penetration in the morning, but melting out by 930am. On all aspects except north you sink in over a meter in wet snow all the way up to 2000m elevation during the heat of the day. AT and below 1800m at 2pm the avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE   to HIGH on East through South due to wet snow slides releasing within the snowpack or ground (140cm deep).

Skiing is still good on protected north aspects above 1900m.  Thanks to Conny, a guide for Backcountry Snowcats for the snow updates!

Check back for snow clearing updates soon!

Green Mt Ridge Avy Paths

Hurley avalanche paths

Aerial photos from years past by Frank W Baumann

Unfortunately winter logging is active on the Gold Bridge/Bralorne side and Interwest Logging have plowed from Gold Bridge to the East Hurley junction and all the way to Bralorne.  The road is snow covered so sled access is still possible while temperatures remain cold.  Please be aware that you are sharing the road with logging trucks, skidders and other heavy machinery so use the road at your own risk.  The Mineshaft Pub has limited gas until Jan 23 when the gas truck comes.

Avalanche danger will increase with these warm alpine temperatures so check the Avy Report before you head out.

Above the clouds on the Hurley Jan 16

Backcountry Snowcats have received 35cm in the last 24hrs and are gearing up for an early start to their season!  Thanks to Kathy and Reg for maintaining  a clearing for sledders to park their trucks on the Pemberton side and for the awesome grooming they do that we all benefit from.  Please show your respect and stay off their tenure area around Hope Creek.

Hazelwood Construction are still working up at the Jamie Creek IPP and will be removing snow on the first few km of the Hurley to the Bridge Main.  They will be plowing the road but will leave some snow on the side for sled traffic.  Please check back for snow removal updates.

Squamish Lillooet Regional District Area A Director Debbie Demare recently sent a letter to Interior Roads regarding summer maintenance on the Hurley to create a safe wilderness road.  Thank you to Debbie for staying on top of this topic.

If you have been sledding on the Hurley and have conditions to report please send an update to info@bridgerivervalley.ca for posting here.  Enjoy the snow and play safe out there!

Backcountry Snowcats on the Hurley after an early season storm!

Hazelwood Construction are still working up at the Jamie Creek IPP and will be removing snow on the first few km of the Hurley to the Bridge Main.  They will be plowing the road but will leave some snow on the side for sled traffic.  Please check back for snow removal updates.

Thank you to everyone who sent in Hurley updates and photos after their drive so we can keep everyone updated on conditions.  Winter updates with snow conditions are also appreciated so keep sending your updates to info@bridgerivervalley.ca

Have a great winter!  Let it snow!

Winter driving conditions are now in effect!  The snow has arrived and can fall at any time now.  The top of the Hurley Pass has snow and ice covering the road for about 5km.  Winter driving skills, 4 x4 truck  and good winter tires are essential for travel at this time of the year.  Chains and a survival/safety kit are good things to carry in your truck.   Thank you to everyone who shared their Hurley updates with us.  Have a great winter!

LATEST UPDATES FROM HURLEY DRIVERS

Nov 21 – Update in from Backcountry Snowcats.  90 cm of snow at the Hurley Pass.  The Hurley is officially closed to vehicle traffic and is open to sled traffic!   Sledding to Gold Bridge/Bralorne is not possible yet to due thin snow but hopefully it will be if it keeps snowing like it is right now!

Nov 20 – Reports in from the Pemberton side of trucks attempting to drive the Hurley but being turned around by deep snow.

Thanks to Ty  and Andrew from Pemberton Valley Painting for the update of their snowy Hurley adventure!  Please see photo attached of our attempt up and over the Hurley Nov 19. This minor delay was at Branch 12.   Then we made it just shy of the summit, but decided to turn around as the snow got to about 1M deep.   Conditions – Not so 4X4able… time to pull out the sleds!!  Scroll down for photo

Nov 18 – Thanks to Jodie Coyne for sending in a photo of all the snow she encountered on the Hurley Nov 18!  Snow is getting deep up there!

Nov 17 – Up to a foot of new snow at the top of the Hurley.  Trucks are still making it over but it’s getting deep outside of the tire tracks and slick in the tracks.  Roads in the Bridge River Valley are icy!

Nov 15 – 18 cm of snow is on the ground at the pass, but vehicle traffic has packed down a good driving surface.  Chains are probably not necessary- but watch your speed going down on the Pemberton side- it is a bit slippery.  Snow covers about 6 km of the road over the Pass; most of this is on the Pemberton (west) side.  Thanks  to Frank W Baumann for the update and photo.

Nov 14 -Couple of inches of snow has covered the ice on the road and made it not quite as slick as the last report but the sun coming out today will probably help the ice to return.

Weather Report sent in from Hurley traveller Frank Baumann predicts heavy snow for the Hurley Pass area over the next week so expect conditions on the road to change/deteriorate rapidly.  Attached is the latest NOAA Global Forecast System (GFS) weather prediction for Hurley Pass- arguably the world’s most sophisticated weather forecast system.  The top graph shows cloud cover, the second one precipitation in 3 hour intervals, and the third, temperature at the elevation of the Pass (1370 metres or about 850 mbars).  Note that times at the bottom are Universal Time- subtract 8 hours to get Pacific Standard Time.  Notice that the GFS is predicting that a total of about 72 mm of precipitation, equivalent to about 72 cm of snow, is expected next week, starting Friday night, November 16, 2012.  Temperatures will be below freezing all week.  It looks like winter is finally on it’s way, thanks for the weather forecast Frank!

Nov 11 – Snowing lightly at 4.30pm, temp -5c.  Road is icy on both sides of the summit.  Pot holes are huge and lined with ice so take it slow. New photos below…

Nov 8 – Conditions are getting slick in the snow sections.  Thanks to Mike for the photos from late last night.

Nov 7 – 25 cm snow at the top of the Hurley.  Trucks prepared for winter conditions are still making it over.

Nov 6 – 15 – 20 cm of new snow at the top of the Hurley

Nov 4 – Wet and muddy as of 8:00pm,  no snow left on the road. Thanks for the update Troy!

Nov 2 – I drove over the Hurley today- the road is bumpy but in otherwise reasonably good shape.  The road is bare over the pass, with only a few centimetres of wet snow on the side of the road and between wheel ruts.  See photo taken on Nov 2 below.  Thanks to Frank from Squamish for the update and photo!

Nov 2 – I transited the Hurley around 2 pm today.  The switchbacks up to the Squamish Forest District sign have been graded and that piece of road is in good condition (for that piece of road!).  There is about 2-3 inches of slushy snow for about 5 kms at the summit, tire track areas bare and very wet. No ice anywhere.  Freezing level is obviously much higher right now than the summit.  Rest of the road has lots of potholes but bare.  Thanks to Debbie from Gun Lake for the update!

Oct 31 – I came over from Pemberton this morning.  There is snow from about 1km below the summit on the Pemberton side to past Hope Creek on this side.  Deepest about 5 inches.  Nice tracks and easy driving.   Slippery without 4×4.  No ice, just compact snow and slush.  Thanks to Carolyn from Bralorne for the latest update!

Oct 28 – Drove the Hurley tonight Sunday October 28th 4:15pm , good condition (for Hurley) always drive in 4×4 summer or winter about 5km total of packed snow at summit ,temp +2 nice tracks from others good tires no slip awesome blue sky ,winter wonderland. saw three other trucks no problems.
IMO If a plow was ran through the 5km + could stay open a bit longer.  Thanks for the update Greg!

Oct 25 – Drove north over the Hurley Summit at 10:30 am on Thursday October 25, 2012.  As reported earlier there are compact icy sections for a short ways on both sides of the summit.  Chains were not required but onboard just in case.  There was no new snow at the time.   Thanks to Jim from Tyaughton Lake for the latest update!

Oct 23 – I drove the Hurley at 5 pm Tuesday, mostly fine except for a really icy section just down from the summit in the Pemberton direction. Only a few hundred yards but it is over an inch of solid ice on a steep grade, definitely wants chains or studs now, I barely made it with my 4×4 truck, driving with 2 wheels in the ditch. Pulled a flatbed truck out of the ditch near the top. East Hurley is fine.  Thanks to Oliver from Bralorne for the update!

Debbie Demare spoke to the driver of the flatbed truck after he was pulled out of the ditch.  He started sliding down the ice and almost went over the side of the road and down a cliff but luckily he ended up in the ditch.  He was lucky that Oliver was able to pull him out of the ditch!

Oct 22 – Debbie Demare drove the Hurley early Monday morning and reports that there are some compact, icy sections between the Bridge River Main and Gwenyth Lake and also from the summit to the Tenquille Branch.  Thanks for the update and photos Debbie!

If you travel the Hurley and have photos of the conditions, please send them to info@bridgerivervalley.ca for posting on this site.   Thanks to Bralorne resident Roger Geeves for the photos from Saturday Oct 20!

Nov 19 at Branch 12 on the Hurley. Photo by Ty Kreutzer

Nov 18 deep snow! Photo by Jodie Coyne

It’s that time of the year again!  Snow season!  Small amounts of wet snow has fallen at the top of the pass this week but it melts fast on the road.  The weather forecast is for cold, snowy weather this week and conditions are changing constantly.  Snow can fall on the Hurley at anytime now so if you decide to drive across, make sure you are prepared for all driving conditions.  Winter driving skills, 4 x4 and good winter tires are recommended for travel.  Chains and a survival/safety kit are good things to carry in your vehicle.

The road condition is extremely rough!   Take your time and enjoy the fact that you are not  in city traffic!  The fall colours are still amazing on the entire length of the road right now and it’s a stunning drive.

This site is updated by the users of the road  so if you drive the Hurley and have a snow/condition update to report please email info@bridgerivervalley.ca with updates and photos.

Thank you and enjoy your drive!

Dusting of wet snow at the summit Oct 19

Fall colours are spectacular on the Hurley!