Lower Howler

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

A recent addition to the Whistler Trail network and an instant "classic," if that expression has not been overused. The trail is long, tech and flows beautifully. It is challenging without being too challenging. It keeps one smiling and laughing from sheer joy rather than unbridled terror. The actual danger of a serious injury is relatively low however there are lots of sharp rocks so be prepared to reign back the speeds where appropriate.

The access is long, steep but relatively easy as it is a forest fire trail (ATV sized), it is accessed from the top of Alpine Way (no parking please respect the local homeowners), pedal up Rick's Roost (not a trail, just the name of the fire trail) for about an hour. I am sure that there are many that can go faster but this is probably the average for a group that is out to enjoy themselves rather than race each other. One passes Cat Scratch Fever (on the left), Green Monster (again on the left and worthy of another lap to ride this fantastic trail), and the Flank Trail turn off to the south (again on one's left). Keep going, the trail flattens out until just after the new stream bridge and then gets seriously steep once past the ATV/ motor vehicle gate. Treat this as a 'no-dab' challenge! After quite a long climb, the trail starts to level out again and the trail entrance is on top of a bare slab of rock on the right (south).

The trail drops 500 metres over 1.8 kilometres so it is steep and there are several corners that combine steep and tight. The trail is generally well maintained thanks to Zander Strathearn and WORCA. The combination of soil and rock drains well and this is a go-to trail after it has rained as it rides slightly better when damp or tacky and it is one of the those trails that does not get damaged if ridden wet. My spies tell me that there is work being done already this season including some re-routing around a particularly sketchy rock chute dominated by a tree stump and some filling in of the deep (impossible to ride through without burying a pedal) sandy corner ruts that were developing at the end of the last biking season.

This is one of my favourites as it is a great workout on the climb, challenging enough to get the brain working and the adrenaline flowing but accessible to a wide range of skills from intermediate upwards.