The New South Caribou Pass Trail in the Monashees Looks Like Heaven
 | The crew at Sol Mountain has been working on this project for a few years now, so we're looking forward to riding their new South Caribou Pass trail. The chilled out grand opening video has us checking our calendars! |
Photos by Steve Shannon and Ryan Creary.
From Sol Mountain's Aaron Cooperman:
After 2 years of permit applications and planning, and 3 years of building, we are pleased to announce the new South Caribou Pass trail opened on July 29, 2017. The trail traverses through Monashee Provincial Park in the shadow of Mount Fosthall as it climbs to Caribou Pass. From Sol Mountain Lodge, it is a 20 kilometre round trip trip of surreal riding to the pass and back.
The multi-use trail features challenging climbs and rocking descents. The Monashee mountains' unique geology is perfect for mountain biking, and the new trail makes extensive use of the rock for bridge work and slab rock freeride zones. Combined with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, this is a must ride in the Revelstoke area.
Feeling small in the Monashee Mountains.
Looking down on Big Peters Lake from Caribou Pass.
The unique geology of the Monashees is perfect for biking.
We recommend riders pedal up the Sol Lake trail to the Caribou Pass junction, head out to the pass, then on the way back continue up to Sol Lake. The lake is stocked with cold Mt Begbie beer (by donation) and is a great place for a swim. The Ridge trail is another 15-20 minute pedal from the lake, and is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Gold Range. From ridge it's a rocking descent all the way to the lodge. Be sure to hit Crazy train and Bunny slope slab freeride zones on the way down, then continue the descent on to Beacon Check for some jumps and drops, all the way down to Sassy Toe, ending at the guest parking area.
Sylvie Allen getting some flow down from Caribou Pass. Sylvie is offering her Sweet Skills Women's Mountain Bike Camps August 26-30th at Sol.
Respect the Ride!
Our single track trails exist thanks to the hard work of our trail crew, and we do ask that people respect the ride! It's a privilege to ride in the alpine so please:
- Stay on trails, except for designated free ride zones outside of the park on Ridge, Crazy Train, and Bunny Slope slabs.
- Keep singletrack single! Don't shortcut and braid trails.
- Take it easy on delicate sections. Some of our trail bed surface has not setup due to the dry conditions this summer, so please walk instead of digging the surface away. During wet times, stay on trail and consider walking muddy sections instead of creating ruts. We are a small crew and try our best to maintain an all weather riding experience but some sections still require more work.
The SCP Trail crew: Seth van Varseveld, Corey Brunelle, Scott Horley, Gustav Vollmer, Seth Cooperman, Ryan Daburger, Konrad van Varseveld, Adrian Rostock, Missing - Scotty Aitken, Braden Aitken.
Logistics
Sol Mountain Lodge is located 100 kilometres southwest of Revelstoke, BC in the Monashee Mountains. Access is via highway 23 south and forest service roads, requiring a high clearance 4WD vehicle. Riding season is August 1st to September 20th. Wildflower season is early August, and September brings the fall colours as the landscape turns to golden hues. Day use is welcome and all trail donations include a free beer at Sol Lake. Day use parking is located 1.6 kilometres from the lodge and we ask that day users please ride into the lodge along the Park n' Ride trail. A volunteer program is open to experienced trail builders. Accommodation is provided in exchange for 4 hours work.
It's a privilege to ride in Monashee Provincial Park, so please respect it.
The Future
With the South Caribou Pass trail complete, our next project is the ridge ride to Merlot, east of Mission Ridge. The trail will climb north of Sol Lake, contouring through the Dead Zone and Lodge Notch to Merlot. Stay tuned for more rockslabs and alpine single track!
With the South Caribou Pass trail complete, our next project is the ridge ride to Merlot, east of Mission Ridge. The trail will climb north of Sol Lake, contouring through the Dead Zone and Lodge Notch to Merlot. Stay tuned for more rockslabs and alpine single track!
Sol Mountain Lodge
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@pinkbike: In case you're really determined to suck, why not just go ahead and do "You'll never believe what the bikers use this alpine lake for!" or "What this trail builder does on his BIG bike will shock you!".
It's always good to have a reminder that however insanely amazing the riding is out west....they still have a fairly short riding season in many areas.
*Rocking in the corner, repeating again and again*