Beyond Lorna Lake: A Backcountry Ride

Price: $1,705 (bike start) or $2,105 (flight start) per person
Ride Type: Cross-country/All Mountain single-track + some hike-a-bike
Daily Distance: ~25kms
Daily Ride Time: 5 - 8 hours
Mtb Skill Rating: Intermediate
Fitness Rating: Level 3
Accommodation: Backcountry Cabin & Camp included
Dates: You can choose your own dates

The tour have two start options: by bike from the Base, or by floatplane to a remote and stunning alpine lake. It’s a great idea to spend a night or two in the area before/after joining us for a trip. For more information please contact us.

It is recommended that all guests have a good knowledge of backcountry procedures – including but not limited to: Safety in the backcountry, Wilderness First Aid, Avalanche Safety Knowledge, etc. Prices do not include GST.

Each guest will be required to sign a Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims, Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement upon arrival for your trip, on-site. In no event will a guest be permitted to participate in a planned activity/trip without having signed a Waiver.

• Bike pump
• Multi-tool
• Leatherman (pliers/knife)
• Spare tube
• Tire plugs
• Shock pump

While guides are prepared for common trail-side repairs, we recommend that each rider also carry their own spare tube, derailleur hanger, and any bike-specific parts they may need.

We are located on the border between the Chilcotin Mountains and the Coast Mountains. The temperature is substantially cooler in the early morning and evening, so make sure you bring warm layers for when the sun goes down. In the higher alpine areas, please be prepared for snow in the summer. The middle of the day is a great time to swim in Tyaughton Lake (our base location) or Spruce Lake.

Average temperatures are:

JUN: 77F / 25C high, 41F / 5C low
JUL: 82F / 28C high, 46F / 8C low
AUG: 86F / 30C high, 50F / 10C low

The terrain of the South Chilcotin Mountains varies from dense treed bush-land, open grasslands to steep rocky mountain passes. Most of the 200+ kilometers of trails were originally created by horses and/or First Nations travelling on foot for the purpose of trading or hunting.

The trails are considered backcountry and remote in nature. You can expect to see the usual hazards (rocks and rocks), along with some perhaps less encountered – such as holes from marmots and creek crossings.

Depending on weather and usage, some sections of the trails may be muddy. But passable.

This will largely depend on your planned trip, and the routes you and/or your guide(s) chose. There typically are multiple route options available to be considered. Factors such as rider expectations and experience, fitness and skill level, weather and wildlife will be taken into consideration.

Generally, however you can expect to travel on average from 12-20 miles / 20-30 km per day. Be prepared to be on the trails for anywhere between 4 to 7 hours – but this is not all time spent riding. There is plenty of stop-start, and opportunities to snack and break to enjoy the surroundings.

Understand that to get into the alpine there typically will be some hike a bike required. A good base level of fitness (Level 2 to 3) is required, along with a readiness to commit to the adventure.

You’ll experience some hike-a-bike particularly if you travel the trails/routes below.

• Lorna Pass: 45 minutes to 1 hour of hike a bike (option on our 4- or 3-day tours)
• Elbow Pass: 45 minutes to 1 hours of hike a bike (option on our 4- or 3-day tours)
• Little Graveyard Pass: 30 to 45 minutes of hike a bike (option on our 4 + days tour)
• Manson Creek Col: 1 hour to 90 minutes of hike a bike (option on our 4 + days tour)
• Deer Pass: 90 minutes to 2 hours of hike a bike (option on our 4- or 3-day tours)
• Windy Pass: 1 hour to 90 minutes of hike a bike (option on our 4, 3, 2 or 1-day tours)
• Camels Pass: 30 to 45 minutes of hike a bike (option on our 4, 3, 2 or 1-day tours, or our single day non flight start tour)
• Eldorado Pass: 30 minutes to 1 hour of hike a bike (option on our 4, 3, 2 or 1-day tours)
• Cabin Pass: 30 to 45 minutes of hike a bike (option on our 4, 3, 2 or 1-day tours)

But do not be intimidated by these numbers. A good level of fitness and attitude will help you reach the passes, and the rewards (views, the descent etc.) are ultimately worth it. 1 foot in front of the other, onwards and upwards.

Given the potential for sections of hike a bike, low cut, lightweight cross country style mountain bike shoes may not be the best footwear option.

We recommended bringing shoes that provide a good amount of ankle support, and that have a solid sole, for any sections of hike a bike. Check the condition of shoes before you arrive.

The plane can carry up to 5 riders with bikes and small backpacks, up to a weight limit of 1,100 lbs depending on the location you are flying into the mountains from.

• If there are more than 5 riders in your group that is absolutely fine, additional flight/s would just need to be scheduled.
• Groups of 4 or less (guide included) will need to remove the front wheel from the bikes, so please come with the knowledge and tools to do so.
• Groups of 5 (guide included) will need to remove both the front wheel and back wheel from the bikes, so please come with the knowledge and tools to do so.
• If you are unable to remove your wheels, you may not be able to board the flight with your bike.

As per current BC Parks mandate, electric bikes are not permitted within either the South Chilcotin or Big Creek Provincial Parks. Please refer to the BC Parks website for further details.

Electric bikes can be ridden outside the park boundaries, on trails around our base of operations and in sections of the surrounding valley for example. Where motorized use is permitted. Thank you

A difficult question to answer as all of us have different hydration requirements. Most days there will be ample opportunities to stop and refill water bottles and/or hydration bladders from streams and creeks in the area.

It is recommended that you come prepared with a suitable water filtration system if you feel that you need one. Your guide/s will not be carrying one for guests to use.

If you are staying in our backcountry camps there is also the opportunity to fill bottles and/or bladders with filtered water provided.

You will need only the usual biking essentials that you typically wear. But please note some recommendations below regarding your helmet, bike shorts, biking shoes and body armor so that you come best prepared:

• Full faced helmet is not recommended
• Durable and comfortable mountain bike shorts. Lycra shorts are not practical for a wilderness experience. Our guides wear the Glidepath short from 7Mesh.
• Mountain bike specific shoes. Low cut, cross country style mountain bike shoes are not recommended. Bring shoes that provide a good amount of ankle support, and that have a solid sole, for any sections of hike a bike. Check the condition of any shoes before you arrive-is the sole securely attached for example.
• Body armor is not recommended. However, if you feel more confident wearing it you are welcome to pack it. You will be responsible for carrying it at all times.

Yes. You must have a good amount of experience mountain biking and be a strong intermediate rider at minimum (see our self rating scale here).

Riders must be comfortable with changing gears, braking, mounting and dismounting their bike in uneven terrain.

Riders should have the ability to pedal and/or walk with their bike uphill for short to long periods of time, depending on routes travelled, and they must be comfortable descending moderate to technical downhill sections.

If you unsure whether you have the experience, skills and/or fitness required please contact us direct to discuss prior to booking an adventure. We are experts at pairing people up with the appropriate trip, so that you have fun and remain safe.

We strongly recommend you bring a dual-suspension (fork at the front and shock in the rear) mountain bike designed for cross-country/all mountain trails that has hydraulic disk breaks, not V-Brakes. Downhill style bikes and fat bikes are not recommended.

Your bike should be well maintained and ideally recently serviced. The working condition of the brakes (including the amount of brake pads remaining), the shifting of gears, state of the tires, bolt tightness, cable housings, and derailleur alignment should all be good.

If your bike is considered inappropriate (or unsafe) for your tour and the riding in the region, please be aware that you will not be able to participate on the tour.

If a rental bike is required, the closest places to rent mountain bikes are in Whistler, BC.

All of our mountain bike tours are backcountry cross-country/all mountain style.

There is a real mixture of the following:

• Rolling terrain made up of some ups and downs, combined with some flatter sections of trail
• Intermittent short technical up hills that require a good base level of fitness (Level 2 to 3), and a burst of effort to ride
• short to long (30+minute) technical descents that require strong intermediate to advanced biking handling skills and good concentration.
• short (30 to 45 minutes) to long (2 hours plus) up hills to access the alpine, which can involve some continuous sections of hike a bike. See tab titled “Will I be expected to hike a bike” for a breakdown of trails you will need to walk your bike, and the associated typical time commitments.
• Some short sections of trail that can be a little off camber and/or slightly exposed. Such as the Gun Creek trail on a few occasions when travelling between Trigger Lake and Old Cowboy Camp, and again on the lower sections of Gun Creek Trail when it runs parallel to the creek itself at times.

Ultimately what you will experience and encounter will depend on your trip and the routes you and/or your guide(s) choose. There are generally multiple route options available to be considered. Reflective of factors such as rider expectations and experience, fitness and skill level, weather and wildlife.

Yes, so come prepared to do so with a suitably sized backpack – reflective of the length of your trip and gear requirements.