The Bike Co. - Pemberton and Whistler Bicycle Rentals and Store

Synopsis: This steep logging road climbs the lower flanks of Whistler Mt. and traverses the east side of the Whistler valley from south to north, presenting the rider with fantastic views of Alta Lake and Rainbow Mt. Bear sightings are common, and strong riders have the option of linking this ride with the Northwest Passage to finish the ride in the Village itself.

Trailhead Access: From Whistler Village, ride south on Highway 99 for 7.5 km, past Whistler Creek, down to Function Junction, (marked with a large wooden sign). At this intersection, turn left off of the highway into the Whistler Interpretive Forest and immediately look on the left for the parking lot and info sign. The trailhead is the logging road that lies at the far end of the parking lot.

Note: The builders of the Interpretive Forest have marked this as the 'Highline Trail', but its still known locally as Bunbury's Microwave. Bunbury was one of the original surveyors of this side of Whistler Mountain.

The Ride: You may as well get your bike into granny gear while you are in the parking lot, because flat spots are few and far between on this ride, which follows the final 10 or so kilometers of the Cheakamus Challenge race course. As you grind up the hills towards the first of the two microwave relay stations on Whistler Mountain you will pass quite a few roads branching to both the right and left; just ignore these, and stay on the main road. Soon the first of the two relay stations will come into view. The main road will climb right up to the first tower, then begin a short, fast descent before making a left turn and beginning to climb again. There are some amazing views from this section of trail; stay on the left side of the road as you climb in order not to miss them.

As you approach the top of the clearcut you will see a new access road that was cut in the fall of 1995 to service the new ski runs dropping out of West Bowl. The road you have been climbing intersects this new road at a switchback; turn left and descend this access road towards the forest. Just after entering the forest, look on the left for an older road that drops away from the main road.

As this road twists and turns, its benign nature inspires high speed confidence, but be aware that a severely washed out section lurks up ahead, waiting to claim the unwary.

At the bottom of this rough section the descent intersects with the Bear Creek trail. Here you have the option of continuing to descent into the Bayshores subdivision, then returning to the Village, or turning right and beginning the climb up to Bear Creek If you elect to ride Bear Creek, several steep pitches will lead you across the Whistler access road once more, then through a moist, cool forest up to two bridges. The first bridge crosses Bear Creek, the second crosses Whistler Creek. Just after Whistler Creek the road comes out onto the ski runs of Whistler Mountain. Here the Bear Creek trail joins another Whistler service road. Turn left and start to descend the service road until you reach a point where the chairlift passes very low, directly above the road. Look to the right and you should see a single-track following an old roadbed into the woods (this road was being heavily used for heavy equipment during 1995 and is a little chewed up). This is the Northwest Passage, which leads around the mountain before finally descending into the Village. If you are tired, continue down the service road to the base area, otherwise, it is well worth the trip down the Passage. The steep descent is punctuated by large erosion control ditches, so watch yourself!

After a long, rough downhill, a sharp right turn at Millionaire's Corner leads to some short, steep uphills that will in turn lead to an intersection with yet another Whistler Mountain access road. Turn left and ride the final downhill pitches into the Village. There is a gate about halfway down that is usually closed - be careful!. In the Village treat yourself to a cold one. You've earned it!

Riding Time: 1&1/2 to 2&1/2 hours.

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