Rossland Mountain Bike Trail Guide

ROSSLAND MOUNTAIN BIKE

TRAIL GUIDE

TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS RECOMMENDED RIDES GPX DATA DOWNLOADS

$5 OF EVERY GUIDE SOLD GOES TO THE KOOTENAY COLUMBIA TRAILS SOCIETY

Map Legend

ROSSLAND MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL GUIDE 2015 Edition

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Expert

Access Track

Other Track

Unsanctioned

Closed

Hiking Trail

Trail Exit

Info Kiosk

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Published by Kootenay Cartographics PO Box 2018 | Rossland, BC | V0G 1Y0 (250)231-6934 | www.kootenaymaps.ca

Gate / Barrier

Underpass Highway

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Biking Route

Gravel Road

Chairlift

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100m Contour

Stream

Stream (seasonal)

Lake / River

Cartography / Design / Words by Barry McLane

Wetland

Printed by Wayside in Vernon, BC

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Map Data: ŠOpenStreetMap Contributors

Viewpoint

Contains information licensed under the Open Government Act - Canada

Shelter

Photography by Vince Boothe - www.vinceboothe.com

Picnic Shelter

Restroom

Disclaimer

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This guide is intended to be used only as a visual aid. Every effort has

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been made to ensure that the guide is accurate, but it is not perfect and should not be your only navigation tool. The author, publisher, and contributors hold no responsibility for any harm that may be inflicted while using this guidebook. Mountain biking is dangerous. Be safe!

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WELCOME TO ROSSLAND Kootenay Columbia Trails Society The KCTS is a non-profit organization that manages, maintains, and advocates for the trail network across Rossland, Trail, and the Beavy Valley. The KCTS staffs a professional trail manager and maintenance crew to keep the trail network fresh and exciting.

Your purchase of this guidebook has helped ensure that the KCTS receives the funding needed to keep the shovels in the dirt and the dream alive. Visit them on the web at www.kcts.ca to find out how you can get involved!

Trail Etiquette The standard etiquette that you’ve grown accustomed to applies here.

Please be respectful of our woods-wandering comrades, no matter their mode of transport. Ride don’t slide. Ride hardpacked trails in the rain. Tell someone where you’re going; know what you’re getting into; and be prepared. Wildlife encounters are common here. Ride with a buddy and keep your chin up. Leave only tire tracks and take only time.

Interactive Web Map A ever-changing web version of the guide is available at the link below. You can locate yourself on a fully scaleable map here, but it’s on the interweb so you’ll need a data connection. www.kootenaymaps.ca/rossland-trails

GPS Data Downloads If you want GPS reference for the trails but you don’t have a mobile data connection, you can pre-load the GPX data into your go-to GPS device for very basic offline use. www.kootenaymaps.ca/data/rossland-trails.gpx

RIDE GUIDE - PEDALS The beauty of the Rossland trail network is that loops can be mixed and matched to create an endless amount of routes. Many trails roll well both ways, and there is a solid network of quiet doubletrack linking the various riding areas. This section highlights a few of the best pedal loops, but spend some time on the trails and you’ll soon find your own loops also. Check out trailforks.com/region/rossland/routes for an ever-evolving list of routes.

Larch Ridge / Monticola

8.0km 290m

290m

Possibly the best intermediate loop around. You have the option of climbing first or last, depending on where you park. The Larch Ridge trailhead is the preferred start point, but you could also start at the end of Monticola; climb up COG and Gibbard’s to access the FSR; then ride up the highway to the start of Larch Ridge.

North Star / Milky Way

9.1km 410m

410m

Milky way is a must and there are many ways to access it, but most routes require access via advanced trails or gravel roads. Start at the Centennial parking lot, pedal up KC to end of Techno Grind, and go straight to drop into the highspeed North Star.

Hang a left to drop into Milky Way, and then pedal back up Green Door / Roger’s / Cemetery / Happy Valley. Or continue down Green Door into Warfield for a pickup.

Seven Summits

Bluffs / Sunningdale

14.5km 520m

520m

Park at Gyro Park and pedal up to Miral Heights via the two highway underpasses.

This is the first great XC loop to open up in the spring. Plenty of foot traffic on these trails so gear down there, big rig.

Redtop / Redhead

16km 650m

650m

There’s a bunch of different ways to link these trails up, but the preferred route is up Larry’s / Miners / Upper Redtop. Take in the view at the top of Red and drop in the same way you climbed up, but veering off into Upper Redhead before the Redtop / Miner’s junction.

Monticola / Paydirt

19km 410m

825m

Shuttling a cross-country ride makes for a good start to a long day in the saddle.

Start at the Larch Ridge trailhead and ride either Monticola or BS; COG; down Gibbard’s to the Red Mountain area; and up Redtop to Paydirt.

Tamarack / Crown Point 25km 850m

850m

A good sized ride offering the best of both disciplines. People often prefer to skip the final climb back up to town and cruise into Warfield for a pickup. If you go this route there is still 600m of climbing.

Upper Redhead

RIDE GUIDE - SHUTTLES Almost every shuttle ride in Rossland requires at least some form of pedaling. The rides described below offer the best shuttle routes.

Railgrade

8.7km

325m

Shuttling the Railgrade offers a nice mellow cruise for little ones just starting out.

Louie Joe Trail

1.5km 5m

135m

Another beginner level shuttle that offers a little more challenge and diversity.

Green Door (to Warfield) 5.4km 50m

425m

Possibly the best intermediate level shuttle. Start on Happy Valley Road and end at the bottom of the Railgrade in Warfield. The section after Milky Way isn’t great, but the sections before and after are worth it for sure. Watch for riders coming up!

Whiskey

3.1km 70m

315m

Park near the top of Tamarack to get a bit more out of this ride. Drop in to the short section of Whiskey that branches south off of Tamarack, ride down the FSR, and then hang right onto Birch Main. Warm the legs up for an abrupt drop in to Whiskey.

Monticola

Crown Point

11km

210m

725m

If you’re on a DH rig or just can’t be bothered to climb the 100m back up to the truck after Crown Point, continue down Upper Switchback and Railgrade into Warfield.

BS / Monticola

3.1km 30m

270m

If you want to shuttle the trails in Neptune Creek, the Larch Ridge / BS / Monticola route offers the least climbing. Drop a vehicle between the end of Monticola and the start of COG, but park out of the way. Do one lap of Larch Ridge / BS / Monticola and then another of Larch Ridge / Monticola. Good way to roll.

The Flume

6km

160m

675m

The shuttle setup for The Flume is a bit more involved, but totally worth it if oldschool DH laps are your thing. Drive down to Paterson, drop a vehicle on King George Road, drive back to Rossland, and head up Malde Creek FSR to the top.

Some big moves on this trail, so look before you do the old leap-to-heap.

Spring Cleaning

2.9km 30m

405m

The go-to early/late season shuttle, and a great trail for DH hot-laps. Start on Happy Valley Road and follow the Railgrade down to Warfield from the end of Lower Spring Cleaning. Use caution when crossing the highway.

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ROSSLAND RANGE Home of the renowned Seven Summits trail, the Rossland Range offers some of the greatest singletrack experiences in the Kootenays. Cell service is unreliable up here. Ride with a buddy and know where you’re going.

If you’re really full of beans, you can go off on a tangent up to the Old Glory summit. There are several hike-a-bike sections and this is not officially recommended. It’s best to avoid the lower hiking trails also, but the Plewman Trail offers a good emergency exit from the Seven Summits if needed. Same goes for Granite Mountain Road. Nice to know it’s there if you need it.

1. Seven Summits

30km 1385m

1555m

The IMBA ‘Epic’ and Bike Mag’s 2007 ‘Trail of the Year’, the Seven Summits Trail put Rossland on the mountain bike map. It’s very technical for most of the trail, with rocky sections that have claimed more than their fair share of tires. Best to start early in the morning, and shuttle to the start with a pickup at the bottom of the Dewdney. If you’re a real go-getter you can loop it from town via the highway (65km / 2200m) or access the start via the highway and climb back up to town via Doukhobor Draw (68km / 2375m).

2. Dewdney Frontside

6.0km 30m

715m

The historic Dewdney Trail and glorious DH finish to the Seven Summits. It’s in rougher shape these days, and is need of a facelift. But it still feels good to descend for so long, especially when combined with the Record Ridge descent. Watch for motorized users and equestrians on this trail.

3. Sheep Creek

5.4km

675m

Also known as the Dewdney Backside, this is the portion of the Dewdney Trail that heads west towards Christina Lake. Usually just shuttled, in combination with a lap of the Frontside. Shuttle the backside first to save a lot of driving time.

Seven Summits

DOWNTOWN ROSSLAND 1. Centre Star Gulch

0.7km 50m

The best access to the Centennial Parking lot from downtown Rossland.

2. Upper Columbia

0.4km 15m

15m

Doubletrack trail good for accessing Upper Drake’s from Upper Rossland.

3. Trans Canada

0.5km 15m

Doubletrack trail connecting Dunn Crescent to the Lion’s Campground.

4. Davis Urban Trail

0.1km 20m

Steep doubletrack switchbacks that connect nicely to the highway underpass.

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0.2km 25m

The lower trail is primarily for hikers, and should be avoided. The other two are good for a more direct route to Columbia Avenue from Lower Rossland.

6. Black Bear

0.2km 5m

Short mellow singletrack connecting Pinewood and Happy Valley.

7. Charlston Connectors

0.2km

35m

Fun urban singletrack, great for starting or finishing a ride in the KC area.

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RED MOUNTAIN The recent addition of Paydirt and Upper Redhead make Red a great place for rowdier XC rides ranging from 1-2 hours. Keep an eye out for others on these multi-use trails. Redhead and Paydirt are much less used by hikers.

1. Centennial Trail

2.8km 100m

65m

More of a road than a trail, but a nice connector to Red Mountain from Rossland.

2. Drifter

0.5km 15m

15m

A great first singletrack experience for the youngsters, and also a good beginner loop when combined with Moe’s or Larry’s. Run-bikes start your engines!

3. Moe’s

1.0km 30m

25m

Multi-use, two-way singletrack alternative to Centennial. Great start and finish to the ride. Lots of hikers and dog-walkers, use caution in the fast sections.

4. Larry’s

1.3km 65m

60m

Most commonly used to access Miner’s and Redtop from Rossland. Also makes a good loop with Moe’s, usually ridden north to south (counter-clockwise). Either end serves as a good way to access Miners.

5. Miners

1.6km 150m

5m

Mixed single/doubletrack trail used to gain access to Redtop from Larry’s. Avoid descending unless you have to: this trail is primarily for climbing.

6. Redtop

4.0km 490m

25m

The flagship KCTS trail. Both a great climb and a fun descent. Check your speed as there are lots of blind corners and abrupt, exposed switchbacks. Very commonly used by hikers, so use caution when descending, and yield to foot traffic.

7. Redhead

1.7km 30m

215m

The steeper, gnarlier alternative to Redtop. The recent addition of Upper Redhead make for many ride options when combined with Redtop.

8. Caldera

0.3km

20m

Short, sweet, and fast connector trail between Red Mountain Road and Centennial Trail. Usually ridden downhill on the way back to town, after Redtop or Paydirt.

9. Paydirt Climb

2.6km 195m

20m

Trail used to access Paydirt from Redtop. A good diverse climb, with mellow single/ doubletrack to start, and tight challenging singletrack closer to the top.

10. Paydirt

1.7km 20m

230m

One of the most popular new trails in Rossland, with a great mix of flow and tech.

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11. Eureka

0.4km

55m

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Short and sweet jump line. All tabletops except for one small (2’) step-up gap.

12. Ole Blue Eyes

0.1km

15m

The freeride option on Lower Paydirt. Includes a drop, two jumps, and a wallride.

MONTE CHRISTO / KC Park at the Centennial trailhead for the best access to these trails. Some of the best XC riding Rossland has to offer can be found in this zone, with limitless loop possibilities and a great mix of climbing and descending.

1. Kootenay Columbia

1.6km 125m

35m

Multi-use connector trail used to access the majority of the trails in the Monte Christo / KC riding area. Usually ridden west - east. Use caution if descending.

2. Iron Colt

0.3km 60m

5m

A steep connector trail to access KC from the east. More commonly used as hiking access to the top of KC. For biking, pedalling from the Centennial trailhead is best.

3. Techno Grind

2.4km 80m

140m

An old-school classic with a bit of everything. Most often ridden in both directions to access Full Monte, or clockwise if riding the entire trail.

4. Techno Grind +

0.6km 40m

20m

Lots of steep rock. A pretty harsh grunt going south, but not as bad going north.

5. Snake

1.0km 20m

175m

A reminder of what mountain biking once was; winding singletrack, rocky steeps, and peppered with stunts. Time has taken its toll on this fall-line piece of history.

6. KC Ridge

1.0km 25m

130m

Rocky switchbacks that open up into straight, fast, and tight singletrack. A good technical challenge on an XC bike. A few nice little wooden booters in the fast sections, with a short climb in the last quarter. Watch for hikers!

7. Milky Way

2.2km 15m

250m

A local favourite, Milky Way is the trail that everyone can enjoy. A great variety, with twisting singletrack, technical climbs, and rock features. Not to be missed!

8. Full Monte

2.0km 80m

200m

Love it or hate it, Full Monte is true mountain biking. Great technical climbs, rowdy rock-strewn descents, and sections where you’re not quite sure if you’re descending or climbing, but you’re fighting for control either way. This trail is so enduro.

9. Coffee Run

1.3km 35m

70m

Similar to Full Monte. Great for linking into the KC area trails from Red or Neptune.

10. North Star

1.3km 125m

5m

Usually ridden uphill, but also a good alternate descent into Milky Way.

11. Green Door

3.6km 35m

335m

Despite the name, this trail is for intermediate level riders. The upper trail is ridden in both directions: as a climb back up from Milky Way, or as a decent into Warfield.

Makes for a decent morning commute to Trail as well.

12. Roger’s

0.9km 30m

45m

Lots of rocks to keep you alert on this trail. A technical XC trail with some unique singletrack sections. Usually ridden when climbing from Milky Way back up to town, but also offers a good linkage with Green Door / Roger’s / Cemetery.

13. Cemetery

1.5km 25m

175m

One of the older KCTS trails around, and still a classic. Lots of great switchbacks and some wide open sections. The kind of trail that gets less technical the less you’re on the ground.

14. Happy Valley

0.5km 40m

5m

A mix of singletrack and old road that connects the mid-point of Cemetery to Happy Valley Road. Most commonly used if climbing up from Milky Way back to town.

15. Spring Cleaning

1.6km 15m

340m

Usually the first trail to open in the spring, this is some of the finest fall-line shuttling around, if that’s your thing. Some great rock moves and singletrack sections.

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NEPTUNE CREEK Some of the best intermediate level riding around can be found in the Neptune Creek riding area. Can be shuttled or ridden as a loop from the Larch Ridge trailhead.

1. Gibbard’s

7.0km 300m

65m

Forestry road and ski trail that also makes a great access route to loop the Neptune Creek trails from town. Makes a nice long and mellow shuttle for the little ones too, starting from Neptune Creek FSR and ending at Black Jack.

2. Larch Ridge

2.1km 100m

80m

Used to access Monticola, this is one of the best climbing trails around; with downhill sections peppered throughout to keep the flow going.

3. Monticola

2.7km 30m

280m

Not to be missed! Some of the fastest, twisting singletrack in this corner of the world, peppered with technical sections to keep you on your game. Accessed via Larch Ridge, but the blazing fast and mellower lower section can be accessed from BS or Neptune Creek FSR. The lower section makes for some great hot-lap shuttles with the little ones. Keep right at the end.

4. C.O.G.

0.5km 40m

10m

Singletrack climb used to access Gibbard’s from the end of Monticola. Climb up C.O.G. (Cranky Old Guys) if you’re heading back up to the start of Larch Ridge, or if you’re heading down Gibbard’s back to Red Mountain. Rarely ridden downhill.

5. BS

1.3km 5m

170m

The steeper, slightly rougher alternative to Monticola, with more line choices and freeride features. Some very memorable choose-your-own-adventure sections.

Keep those elbows up and watch for cross traffic on the 270º berm!

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MALDE CREEK Some of the most iconic trails Rossland has to offer, the Malde Creek trails are not to be missed. Historically this was a shuttle zone, but the option to now climb up Tamarack makes it a great place for 2-3 hour BCXC. If you’re pedaling up, start at the Centennial trailhead and ride out to Upper Drakes via the Center Star Gulch and Upper Columbia urban trails.

1. Railgrade

9.0km 325m

Historic doubletrack trail climbing from Warfield to Rossland. A consistently gentle 4% makes this a great climb, but it also serves as the perfect shuttle for the little ones. This trail is multi-use, so watch for hikers, horses, and motorized vehicles.

2. Louie Joe Trail

1.5km 155m

15m

A meandering yet stiff climb from Redstone to Rossland. Usually ridden uphill, but the upper portion can be used for direct access to Rubberhead from town. Also makes a nice beginner-level shuttle.

3. Drake’s

3.3km 125m

145m

A stiff warm-up, but offers some great descending quickly. The preferred trail to access Doukhobor Draw / Tamarack.

4. Doukhobor Draw

4.3km 95m

260m

Historic trail usually ridden to connect Drake’s to Tamarack, but can also serve as a singletrack climb back to town after riding the Dewdney. Recent logging has cut this trail short.

5. Tamarack

2.2km 220m

60m

Singletrack climb used to gain pedalling access to the “shuttle” trails in this brave new world. Also occasionally used as a descent in it’s own right, so keep your head up. Steeper and more technical near the top, with a DH reward at the end.

6. Rubberhead

1.3km 40m

35m

Old trail with a raw feel to it; rides well both ways. Great for accessing the Malde trails from Cemetery, or vice-versa.

7. Upper Switchback

1.8km 94m

50m

Better to stick to the Railgrade (aka. Lower Switchback) if climbing, but this makes a good finish to Crown Point if heading down to Warfield for a shuttle pick-up.

8. Whiskey

2.1km 20m

275m

One of the Rossland classics, offering a great diversity of challenges. Lots of rock, pumpy trail, and freeride hits. A few pedally sections as well, to keep the blood flowing. The lower section was re-aligned in 2013, and is riding better than ever.

9. Whiskey on the Rocks

1.2km 60m

65m

A harsh, but short, climb takes you to the top. Some serious rock navigation required on the descent. Worth the effort if you want a true Whiskey experience.

10. Crown Royal

0.6km 5m

50m

A shorter DH trail used to access Crown Point, and to get you in the flow. Watch out for a sketchy and exposed right-hander in the clearcut about halfway through.

11. Crown Point

3.6km 10m

350m

A local favourite that serves up some great DH nostalgia. Fall-line sections, stunts, and ripping fast raw singletrack make for a great shuttle or a good-sized pedal.

Avoid in the wet weather.

12. The Flume

4.2km 160m

630m

The quintessential freeride classic, with big drops, jumps, loamy steeps, and some gnarly exposed sections that you’ll want to be creeping for. The alternate lines here are still pretty rowdy. Watch out for the large drop dubbed “Johnny Rocks”.

13. Cherry Poppins

2.0km 20m

330m

Freeride might be dying, but it ain’t dead yet. Cherry Poppins serves up a good dose of old-school hits, including highball ladder bridges and a cliff drop. Unlike most Rossland trails, there are very few ride-arounds here. Look before you leap!

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EVENTS Rossland is host to a number of great events, including several mountain bike races, group rides, and trail days.

Rubberhead Enduro Rossland has held Enduro racing events since 2009. Since 2014, both the BC Enduro Series and Kootenay Rockies Enduro Series make a stop in Rossland during the Rubberhead Bike Festival, at the start of August.

7 Summits Poker Ride The famous Poker Ride is a non-competitive event with 100 friends and lots of laughs. Riders receive a card at each of the 7 Summits, and the best 5-card hand wins at the end of the day. Pre-register at Revolution Cycles.

Huck’en Berries Bike Jam Sanctioned as a Bronze Event by the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour, the Hucken Berries is a dirt jump competition that attracts skilled freeriders from across the region. Part of the Rubberead Bike Festival, it usually runs on the last Saturday in August. Check www.rosslandrubberhead.com for upto-date info.

Kootenay Fat Bike Festival They may look silly, but they are getting rad while you’re not. Fatbiking is here to stay, and is a perfect fit in Rossland. The first annual Fatbike Festival was held in 2015, and was a huge success. Check

Church of Dirt Trail Days Since 2013, a hard-working group of dedicated volunteers have been building new trails in Rossland that everyone can enjoy. They meet at 5:30pm Monday nights during riding season. Check the KCTS website for up-to-date information on the when and where.

Annual KCTS Trail Day At the start of each June, the KCTS holds a volunteer Trail Day to help kick start maintenance for the year. Check out www.kcts.ca for current info.

Seven Summits

BIKE SKILLS PARKS 1 Centennial Dirt Jumps The venue for the Huck-en Berries Bike Jam: the dirt jump competition during the Rossland Rubberhead Bike Festival. These advanced dirt jumps will test the skills of even the most seasoned groms. Mostly gap jumps, with some step-ups, drops, and a whale tale. Big thanks to Powder Pig Excavating for the support over the years.

2 Rossglen Skills Park Recently revamped with new pumptracks and dirtjumps, Rossglen is the park that riders of all skill levels can enjoy. A tight pumptrack for the runbikes and BMXs, some small tabletops and ladder drops for the budding freeriders, and a pro-level pumptrack built for catching G’s. Big thanks to DIG Trail Design and DJM Contracting for the major facelift to this old park.

Photo: Nate Lott

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FAT BIKING It’s no secret that Rossland is under snow for much of the year, so the increasingly popular fat bikes are a natural fit here. In the winter, many of our trails are fat bike ready thanks to snowshoe traffic. In general, the trails around KC, Monte Christo, and Red Mountain are the best places to roll a fatty. Track is often set on Birch Main, and the local fat bike aficionados bootpack Whiskey to get it rideable. Below are the best rides for fat biking in Rossland.

Recommended Fat Bike Rides Elgood Out-n-Back

14.5 km

650m

650m

This is a great ride in the summer too. Snowshoe and nordic traffic keeps this area packed nicely for the fat bikes.

Techno Grind / KC

4.8 km

250m

250m

Also the first stage in the Fat Bike Enduro. Very well packed on the trails, and usually pretty good going up Monte Christo Road as well. Watch for snowshoers!

Whiskey

2.1 km

15m

280m

The fat bike shuttle. Track is usually set along Birch Main from sled traffic.

TRAIL The recent construction of the Sunningdale trail has sparked an increase of riders in this area, and for good reason. The Miral Heights / Bluffs / Sunningdale loop is the go-to early season fix, and it delivers on all fronts. It’s best to park at Gyro Park and ride the full loop.

1. Miral Heights

2.2km 100m

50m

Multi-use doubletrack path used to access the Bluffs Loop and Sunningdale. Also makes a great out-and-back beginner ride.

2. Bluffs Loop

2.8km 160m

160m

A great loop with just the right amount of tech. Best ridden counter-clockwise, but can be ridden both ways. Lap it as many times as you can for an early season reminder of how awesome mountain biking is. You can skip the south half if you’re heading from Miral Heights to Sunningdale, but it’s best to squeeze a full loop in first. Watch for a few high-consequence exposed sections on the south (downhill) side of the loop.

3. Sunningdale

2.7km 30m

290m

One of the more recent trails built by the KCTS, the Sunningdale trail is already a classic. The trail lends itself to some fast riding, but with decent exposure in some areas. Commonly used by hikers and dog walkers, so curb the temptation to go all out. Early season keeners can do an out and back ride on this trail, as it’s usually the first true mountain bike trail open in the area.

4. Raven’s Rock

1.0km

135m

An older, steeper trail that drops down to the Hospital from the Miral Heights trail.

Usually best to avoid, the ride is better from the start of the Miral Heights trail. If using it to access the Bluffs trail, be prepared to hike-a-bike in some spots.

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ROSSLAND

Canada’s Mountain Biking Capital!

Mountain Bike Shuttles to all the best trails in the area — daily to the 7 Summits Trail, weekly group rides, half-day and full-day shuttles. mountainshuttle.ca Mountain Bike Coaching, Tours, Guides, Accommodation and more! kootenaymountainbiking.com 250-231-4305 Bike Rentals, Full Service Shop, Shimano Service Center

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ROSSLAND British Columbia, Canada