Trails

Black Tusk and Jane Lakes

Difficulty Level: Physically very difficult/ Technically moderate.

Self Sufficiency: Moderate. - Season: Mid-June through September.

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Synopsis: This out and back ride begins with a long (about 16 km), steep climb up a rough gravel road takes the rider from the less than attractive environs of the town dump through stands of virgin timber and into the alpine areas surrounding the Black Tusk. The Tusk is a spectacular volcanic plug that juts from the snowfields of Garibaldi Park. If you love to climb, this is your ride!

Trailhead Access: Ride or drive 7.5 km south from the Village, past Whistler Creek to the Whistler Industrial Park (more commonly known as Function Junction), which is marked with a large wooden sign. Turn left off of the highway, into the Whistler Interpretive Forest, and you will immediately see a large information sign and a small parking lot. If you drove, park here and begin the ride; if you rode, check out the maps on the info sign and then begin the ride.

The Ride: From the parking lot, continue to ride up the paved road, past the gravel road on the left marked, 'Eastside Main' and cross the bridge over the Cheakamus River. Just past the river the road turns to the right, into the dump, while a gravel road marked 'Westside Main' continues straight ahead. Ride up the Westside Main, and eventually the road will take a sharp right and begin the long climb towards the Tusk. Just past the Helm Cr. trail you should come across a small B.C. Telephone sign declaring this to be a private road. From this point simply keep on climbing, and, after much grinding, the old growth trees will begin to thin as you approach the treeline and the massive black spur that is the Tusk will loom above you.

A new trail has been cut off of the road, at the top of the first series of switchbacks, where the road runs parallel to a creek. Part of the Whistler Interpretive Forest, the new Jane Lakes Trail currently runs as far as East Jane, with plans to complete a loop to West Jane later this year.

Also note that the Parks people have installed a gate about 3 km from the top of the road. The gate is to prevent motorised access only, mountain bikes can continue past this point.

Once in the alpine, be sure to stick to the road and avoid riding off into the meadows, as they are easily damaged. Also, when descending, expect to encounter 4x4 traffic, as this road is well known.