Aug 5/13 - Fines handed out for Highway driving

Morning, thought I would let you know also that on the BC side, some quadders were given $82 fines for driving on the highway between the Tin Shack/Leach/Pipeline access and Tent Moutain Pass/B road. As we understand it, if you take the ditch like we advise and then go up and around the river and back into the ditch then you likely won't get fined but if you take the highway the whole way then you are going to get a ticket. Things are clamping down out there since I heard about an extremely large group (not from our resort or with the Quad Squad) messing up a stream by Coal Leach Road. On a lighter note: Rhonda and Matt Downs and their family Tyler & friend Ola and Tristen and another friend Megan came riding with us on Saturday and then took our two kids out riding yesterday. It was a perfect opportunity for our 12yr old Sommer to get her first backcountry day trip in under her belt on her dirtbike. Who better to learn how to ride with than Rhonda and Matt from The Betties. She came back super pumped! We have fog this morning and cool temps. I haven't had any reports of too much dust as we have LOTS of water on the trails. Its supposed to rain here and then stable temps again. Pour over your quad maps before coming and be prepared to obey the closures. Not all backcountry users appreciate motorized riders and not all motorized riders are respectful of other motorized riders. Be respectful and you should have a good vacation...this year and years to come. Happy trails - V

Aug 4/13 - Fines handed out at Deadman's Pass

Howdy! We ran into some quadders and they were out over Deadman's and reported that they met up with some other riders that got fined and warnings because they were riding the route that is posted as Not a Legal route. The quadders we were speaking to said they took the correct route and had no issues so a warning to all that you must observe the posted signs there. They are trying to prevent erosion so please take the correct trail. It was a $230 or $280 fine per vehicle. We were down the Flathead and OH MY has it eroded! We were discussing the grooming plan for winter and it won't be far down the trail. Turning around at the point where it becomes impassable would be very difficult so that limits the distance also. The Corbin parking lot is now divided in half with Teck employees using part of it now so please cooperate and park on the correct side. The bridge that is about 2km past Rain Gauge down the Flathead is sketchy and that part of the trail is tremendously rocky. We made it to McClatchie turn off and the bridge is gone there. The bank is very high but there is a work around with steep bank climb up the other side. Dirtbikes will find the deep rushing water very challenging to cross. Its all new out there again. Bring a rope, slime for tires and and an air pump for sure! Cheers - V

July 29/13 - New Restricted area - Wheeler Creek

Hey Gang - just got an email from Corbin Country Club from Teck regarding a newly restricted area. The pipeline is open but adjacent to Coal Leach Road is a newly restricted area to protect Teck workers during their new mine exploration. Wheeler Creek winds in and out and back into this area and Wheeler Creek road is pretty well completely in the restricted area. There is an electronic map available at www.teck.com/coal and you can call 250-433-1614 for further info if you are planning to ride near there. Please respect this boundary. Teck supports ATVs and Snowmobiling and sponsors a lot of Avalanche awareness courses. Lets all work together! Cheers - V

July 29/13 - Neil and Al trek through on Horseback!

Well I got a very pleasant surprise this afternoon! Al and Neil had called us after speaking with Joe the BC Conservation Officer about their trip from around Longview to Rooseville. They would be passing through and hoped to get some trail info. We assumed by quad! They were delightful and left me feeling energized by their adventurous spirit. They are on our trail today hoping to make it to Corbin staging area. They are headed down the Flathead to McClatchie then Lodgepole and eventually to Rooseville - I assume they will pass by Silver Springs Lake at Elko. So please watch out for them and the horses and give them a wave. It is overcast today with a bit of spitting rain only on and off so travelling is good. If their wives see this then I just want you to know they are in good shape for food and oats. Wish them the best - proof that the West lives on! Cheers - V

July 23/13 - HOT HOT HOT

Man is it hot during the day here! Nights are cooling down which is great. Rod and Jay are helping Cooper and Curt put a light kit on his bike and they said Trail of 7 Bridges is soooo technical now after the point where you could get off and walk up to the caves. They loved it but said they had the shakes at some points. These are photos taken by Terry and George down at Corbin. The Flathead took a beating! The road to Corbin was actually washed out for a week before they got the mine buses going through. The bridge just installed in the fall to go to Barnes is now downstream. You are going to be having some new challenges when you go out. Don't be afraid to turn around if you get to a tough point and you have inexperienced riders with you. Pick and choose as you go now. B road is fine all the way to the Corbin highway but the B road cut off has a 5 foot drop in it at the culvert. I took the photo of Curt & Sommer at the Elko track on Friday. We had a blast but were worn out from heat by days end and Cooper had a pretty good wipe out - that didn't stop him though. We met up with Roe and Luc from Sask. Roe is associated with the Nipawin BRP dealership. They were great and Cooper rode with them all afternoon. Curt and Sommer rode to Silver Springs Lake to watch cliff diving and then went for a dip in the creek before riding the side by side back to our "camp". That would be a cool long but refreshing ride from our place. We'll have to scout it out more. Curt has done it once coming to our place from Cranbrook by quad with the crew out there. Anyway....just thought I would share some photos of the flood results. Hint....bring an air pump & slime cause tires are taking a beating! Cheers - V

July 20/13 - Availability

Hi Gang. We got a shower last night but its scorching hot again today - running in the mid twenties. Our groups are reporting that there are alot of changes to the trails that head up into different areas due to the flooding. Its a new adventure out there! We have had a cancellation for August 1-6th in the Flathead cabin and I know I had had lots of calls on it and if you hadn't booked somewhere else then jump on this availability! Highways have been quieter this summer than normal so weekend driving isn't as bad as you might have experienced it in previous years. Just something I have noticed. I am having groups book already for next year so if you already have your dates and were considering our area...its not too soon to book. Just please read the cancellation policy and the no pet policy. We off to the Elko track today and will post photos/video on the blog and facebook. Cheers - V

July 14/13 - Reports from Riders

Hi Gang - sorry its been so long but we have been busy off the property. Racehorse Pass is now passable. Snow has receded but the one slope is pretty sketchy going up or down. We have been told that the Trail of Seven Bridges is now a new ride. The water has carved out about 4-5 drop offs of a couple feet and the riders told us that they were holding the back of the quads and "lowering" them down in places. They only went up to the bottom of the trail where you hike up the cut line to the caves or go down to the left and continue on quad. The old trail is visible here and there. It is getting a bit dusty and a little night rain would be good. We have the Divide cabin open this coming weekend and almost all of next week. Weather has been hot during the days and cooler in the evening so sleeping is great! Happy Trails! V