Thomas Drasdauskis
Biking & Hiking
L
as Vegas was the site of the 2012 World Premiere of “Where the Trail Ends”, an epic mountain biking movie set amidst the stunning scenery of China’s Gobi Desert, Argentina, Utah, Nepal and the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast featuring the cliffs and canyon walls of the Fraser and Chilcotin River’s. It stars several of the world’s top big mountain free-ride bikers including Cam Zink and local Williams Lake prodigy, James Doerfling. This region is considered the mountain biking capital of Canada, with unlimited riding for leisure bikers and adventure seeking free-riders. The spectacular terrain and trail systems here offer distinct riding experiences with hoodoos, river valleys, rugged canyons, logging roads, steeps, ramps, and single-track ridges. Spend a summer here without setting a wheel in the same place twice. The Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium is taking the lead promoting the riding in and around Quesnel, Wells, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Visit our mountain biking websites for specific trail information (see page 110). Quesnel biking buffs call the local “Pins” route a “flowy” ride, with spectacular views of Baker Creek and the hoodoos littering the valley floor. Quesnel’s Adventure Skills Bike Park has a freestyle section, pump track, kid’s area and features to challenge beginner, novice, experienced and highly skilled riders.
The Wells-Barkerville area offers some of the most incredible trails in B.C., loaded with Gold Rush Trail history. From gentle boardwalk trails through quiet wetlands to day-long epic mountain expeditions in stunning alpine terrain, this trail network has it all, including some awesome new trail development. In biking circles, Williams Lake is referred to as North America’s “ShangriLa of mountain biking”. The 200-plus tracks around Williams Lake provide the choice of tackling technical loops, or hours exploring the many easy riding trails. Downtown, the Boitanio Bike Park covers over 4hec/10ac, and is the largest of its kind in B.C.’s Interior, with 6 major jump lines, pump track, drop zone, flow trails and log work. The Central Coast’s Snooka Trail System sports leisurely riding through second growth rainforest, with spectacular alpine views the reward for reaching the network’s Purgatory Lookout. A series of trails between Bella Coola and Hagensborg provide various levels of difficulty and scenery. The East Loop Trail is an easy grade circle route of 5.5km/3mi with only a 50m/164ft elevation gain, while the West Trail is more challenging with an elevation gain of 500m/1640ft on its over 3.8km/2.4mi one-way trek. The trails also connect you to other wilderness routes that lead deeper into the temperate backcountry of the Bella Coola Valley.
Highlights • Plan a waterfall hiking tour in the South Cariboo, where several beautiful waterfalls can be accessed via relatively easy trails. Visit the 100 Mile House Visitor Centre for more details. • Ice Climbers come from far and wide for awesome climbing experiences in Marble Canyon, with easy access, just north of Lillooet and west of Cache Creek. • Bike or Hike: get dropped off by float plane on Warner Lake for 40km of rolling downhill singletrack to Tyaughton Lake. Total elevation drop is a whopping 1,200 metres! • Race for fun – or charity – with September’s Tour de Cariboo, a stamina-testing pedal from Williams Lake to Gavin Lake; May’s Barkerville Rush Relay; June’s Pedal by the Puddle in Williams Lake, and September’s legendary 7 Summits Hike & Bike Challenge in Wells. • Hiking and walking tours on the Bella Coola trail network are a great way to exercise while enjoying the magnificent beauty of the coastal rainforest.
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