Trails

Runaway Train

Difficulty Level: Physically moderate/ Technically moderate. - Season: May through October.

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Synopsis: This singletrack runs south from Function Junction, paralleling the railway line, until it reaches a stand of giant cedars. This stand was also the site of a train wreck in the early 1950's, and the crushed, rusting boxcars are still scattered amongst the trees. From the wreck site the trail follows a logging road back to Highway 99. A new extension runs south to join the Brandywine Falls trail.

Trailhead Access: Follow Highway 99 south from the Village for about 8 km, just past Function Junction to the BC Rail crossing. Head south on the railway tracks for about twenty feet and a singletrack will be visible dropping off to the right.

The Ride: After dropping into the forest, the singletrack winds through the forest beside the highway for a short distance, at one point coming right up to the road's shoulder before heading back into the woods. From here it twists and turns, snaking its way through the forest before popping out onto the railway beside a creek. Cross the creek on the railway bridge and then follow the trail back into the woods on the right.

After some more rockin' and rollin' through the forest, the trail comes back to the tracks once again. This time, cross the tracks; the trail begins again on the left side of the line. Once again, follow the trail through the woods until it arrives back at the rail line. This time, rather than just crossing the tracks, you must follow them south for a hundred meters or so before dropping back into the woods on the left.

Finally, the reward: a spectacular stand of old growth, coveted by both logging interests and environmentalists. And adding a surreal air are the huge boxcars, now forty years old, scattered about the forest like some giant child's playthings. The trail winds around these cars, presenting some excellent photo opportunities before coming back to the tracks one final time.

Here you have the choice of backtracking to Function Junction, or continuing on to Highway 99. If you choose to continue, turn left on to the tracks and ride into the cut block. After a couple of hundred meters a logging road climbs up a short hill on the right. Follow this road and it will lead you back to the highway at Hydro Hill. From this point one can turn right and ride the highway back to Whistler, or turn left and ride south to the Callaghan Lake or Brandywine Falls trails.

A new singletrack now runs south from the logging road, just at the gate before the highway. Still very fresh, this trail is quite technical, with one cliff band that must be hiked. It joins the Brandywine Falls trail, making a good four hour ride.