BC Trail - Hike & Bike etc.
06-07-21, 07:51 AM
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BC Trail - Hike & Bike etc.
Trying to adapt to our evolving travel restricted environment, we are now considering riding the BC trail, west to east, up to Kelowna.
Anyone familiar with the trail? I am a bit concerned wrt camping. (1) can we count on (in)formal hike and bike sites or do we have to book? (2) for this segment, my wife and 10 y-o daughter should accompany me. My daughter is used to sitting on a bike for extended periods of time (on a trailer), but this would be here first serious "autonomous" ride. Any opinion wrt to the level of difficulty (segments of +- 60kms/daY)
Thanks
Anyone familiar with the trail? I am a bit concerned wrt camping. (1) can we count on (in)formal hike and bike sites or do we have to book? (2) for this segment, my wife and 10 y-o daughter should accompany me. My daughter is used to sitting on a bike for extended periods of time (on a trailer), but this would be here first serious "autonomous" ride. Any opinion wrt to the level of difficulty (segments of +- 60kms/daY)
Thanks
Last edited by gauvins; 06-07-21 at 09:37 AM.
06-07-21, 08:47 AM
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First the bad part:
The first part of the trail is in my backyard and not for family travel. We did the section from Cultus to Chilliwack Lake and were bushwacking a fair chunk of it. Trail in name only. The section from Chilliwack Lake to Hwy 1 is very remote and again, not suited to family bicycle travel. Definately not 5/10 as far as bikepacking goes and I wonder if the author did this or just imagined the route from maps. With gear for an extended trip it's a serious hike a bike effort.
The section up the first part of the Coquihalla (behind Needle Creek) is doable when the snow melts but again very remote, all uphill and with no bailout. You can look that part up on Trailforks. Parts of the side roads linked up the Coquihalla are also closed due to construction of a pipeline so expect to ride the Hwy for stretches (not so good for a small child with 120kmh and narrow shoulders in spots).
Now the good news:
At Kingsvale on the Coquihalla you ride to connect to the beginning of the KVR at Brookmere. From that point east the riding is suitable for a family (rail trail). In the Summer it gets very hot so plan your water but there is lots written about this. The KVR around Naramata, Kelowna and down to Midway is well documented. The only question is shuttle service back to the start due to Covid so check that out.
Parts of the Chilliwack Valley section:
The first part of the trail is in my backyard and not for family travel. We did the section from Cultus to Chilliwack Lake and were bushwacking a fair chunk of it. Trail in name only. The section from Chilliwack Lake to Hwy 1 is very remote and again, not suited to family bicycle travel. Definately not 5/10 as far as bikepacking goes and I wonder if the author did this or just imagined the route from maps. With gear for an extended trip it's a serious hike a bike effort.
The section up the first part of the Coquihalla (behind Needle Creek) is doable when the snow melts but again very remote, all uphill and with no bailout. You can look that part up on Trailforks. Parts of the side roads linked up the Coquihalla are also closed due to construction of a pipeline so expect to ride the Hwy for stretches (not so good for a small child with 120kmh and narrow shoulders in spots).
Now the good news:
At Kingsvale on the Coquihalla you ride to connect to the beginning of the KVR at Brookmere. From that point east the riding is suitable for a family (rail trail). In the Summer it gets very hot so plan your water but there is lots written about this. The KVR around Naramata, Kelowna and down to Midway is well documented. The only question is shuttle service back to the start due to Covid so check that out.
Parts of the Chilliwack Valley section:
Last edited by Happy Feet; 06-07-21 at 08:52 AM.
06-07-21, 09:52 AM
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happyfeet Thanks for the pictures. This TransCanada trails is turning out to be a major disappointment...
So I guess that we'll either forget about the whole thing of figure out a reasonable route from YVR to Kelowna (our "plan" is for my wife and daughter to fly back from Kelowna. No need for a shuttle).
AFAIK, BC is currently closed to non residents. BC parks writes that camping reservations for non residents will open July 8th... what's you forecast wrt to finding a place to pitch a tent, and have access to a sanitary block, etc. ?
So I guess that we'll either forget about the whole thing of figure out a reasonable route from YVR to Kelowna (our "plan" is for my wife and daughter to fly back from Kelowna. No need for a shuttle).
AFAIK, BC is currently closed to non residents. BC parks writes that camping reservations for non residents will open July 8th... what's you forecast wrt to finding a place to pitch a tent, and have access to a sanitary block, etc. ?
06-07-21, 12:10 PM
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happyfeet Thanks for the pictures. This TransCanada trails is turning out to be a major disappointment...
So I guess that we'll either forget about the whole thing of figure out a reasonable route from YVR to Kelowna (our "plan" is for my wife and daughter to fly back from Kelowna. No need for a shuttle).
AFAIK, BC is currently closed to non residents. BC parks writes that camping reservations for non residents will open July 8th... what's you forecast wrt to finding a place to pitch a tent, and have access to a sanitary block, etc. ?
So I guess that we'll either forget about the whole thing of figure out a reasonable route from YVR to Kelowna (our "plan" is for my wife and daughter to fly back from Kelowna. No need for a shuttle).
AFAIK, BC is currently closed to non residents. BC parks writes that camping reservations for non residents will open July 8th... what's you forecast wrt to finding a place to pitch a tent, and have access to a sanitary block, etc. ?
Off the bat, do you want rail trail only or can you do roads? If rail trail look at getting a connector to Kelowna and doing an out and back along the KVR from Myra. That would work well and be scenic.
Getting a camp spot is a total crap shoot. I can't help at all. Everybody wants to camp this year and many are even wild camping. It really is the wild west out there!
I have a week off at the end of June and can't even plan anything. Fortunately I have a mini van and will stealth camp and/or go to recreational areas to mtb. I'm not booking anything. Last year I learned each of the NPs have free overflow camping (no services) and I plan to just use that if I get out there for hub and spoke stuff.
