Trails

McKenzie Basin Loop

(McKenzie Cruise, Overnight Sensation, Indy 500, Blood Sweat &Fear)

Difficulty Level: Physically difficult/ Technically difficult.

Self Sufficiency: Moderate. - Season: April through Mid-November.

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Synopsis: A long climb of about 2000 vertical feet leads to a small plateau high above the Pemberton Meadows, from which a steep, rough double-track road descends past incredible views of the valley below. Eventually the trail reaches the valley floor, then follows the Lillooet River back to close the loop. From mid-May through June this ride comes alive with thousands of wildflowers, particularly wild roses, and in fall, sightings of deer (and hunters) are common.

In the past several years an entire network of singletrack has developed around the climb to McKenzie Basin, to the point where the original loop is rarely ridden anymore. The descents that drop from the road to the Pemberton Valley are steep and scary!

Note: If you use a shuttle, yer a weenie.

Trailhead Access: From Pemberton, ride east along Highway 99 for about 2 km towards the village of Mt. Currie . Soon after crossing the first bridge, on a sharp right corner in the main highway, look for a road that branches to the left - you can't miss the huge log home on the corner. Ride down this road, through the gravel pit, and cross the railway tracks. Once past the tracks, the road forks, with the left fork, the Ivey Lake Rd., beginning the climb.

The Ride: After crossing the railway lines, take the left fork in the road and start to climb. This area is currently being logged by a local timber company and there are several branches off the main road to the cut blocks; ignore them and continue to climb up the switchbacks on the main road until you approach the power lines and see a branch on the left. Head left, cross under the power lines, and keep on grinding upwards as the road leads into the forest. This main part of the climb is well shaded, a welcome relief on a hot summers' day.

The first descent, Blood Sweat & Fear, begins just past the power lines. Look on the left and follow the narrow trail back to the valley floor, or continue up the main road and look for The Indy 500, which drops off to your left.

Keep on climbing, and at the top of a loose, rocky section your next descent option branches off on the right. Overnight Sensation begins on an old road bed, then follows a series of granite outcrops right back down to the power lines. This is a good one to link up with the Mosquito Lake trails!

The long, tough climb eventually levels out, and soon after that you will arrive at an open meadow. At the very top look on the left for the longest trail in the area, the McKenzie Cruise. This trail begins in rolling terrain, but don't be fooled, it's the gnarliest of them all.

If you're planning on riding the original Loop road, follow the main road from the top as it bears left and starts to descend. Almost immediately after beginning the descent, the road forks yet again, into two identical looking double-track roads. Be sure to take the right branch, and continue your descent to the valley floor, now some 2000 feet below you. This part of the trail presents many fantastic views of the Pemberton valley and its surrounding ice-capped peaks, but don't get too distracted, as the descent is a rough and rocky one, with several washed out sections. (Note: this section has fallen into disuse over the last couple of years, I'm not sure if it is still passable).

As you approach the valley floor, the trail flattens out somewhat, and you will pass another road that heads off to the right; just stay on the main road as it bears left. Soon you will come to a spot where the road is severely washed out, and here a single-track branches into the forest on the left. This bit of single-track bypasses the worst of the washout, then quickly returns you to the road. The road is still in rough shape for another hundred meters or so, and then continues parallel to the Lillooet River for about 8 km. This section of trail can be a little overgrown at times, and there are a couple of spots where the river has eroded the road away completely, necessitating short detours through the long grass, but on the whole the trail is easy to follow. As you progress the trail becomes more obvious, eventually becoming a dirt road that will return you to Highway 99. Turn right on the highway and ride the 2 km back to Pemberton.