Spray Lakes West High Rockies Gravel Loop, Advanced, 59km, 850m, Mike Wingham

Coordinator:  Mike Wingham
Type of Ride:  Advanced backcountry "gravel" ride on gravel roads, double and single track hiking trails, and easy to intermediate single track MTB trail.  See below for details.
Type of Bike:  Bike with at least 35mm wide treaded tires and low range climbing gears, e.g. gravel bike, mountain bike, or eBike versions thereof.
Required Gear:  Bear Spray (If you don't have any, contact me and I can lend you a canister).  Shoes with a treaded sole and either no pedal cleats or recessed pedal cleats (You may need to walk part of the route!)
Distance:  59km
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  900m
Anticipated Pace:  15-18km/hr, down to 4-6kph on steep sections of MTB trail
Duration:  6-7 hours total, 5 - 5½ hours riding

We will regroup periodically and at all trail intersections.  No one will be left behind.  

PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO START TIME TO GET YOU AND YOUR BIKE READY

We meet at the bottom of the pullout off the Smith Dorrien Road / Hwy 742, at the east side of 3 Sisters Dam: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NQpk4usKsp8s1ZDy5

From our starting point, we cross the 3 Sisters Dam and go south on the west side of the Spray Reservoir on a mainly flat gravel road closed to traffic.  It is not unusual to see bears on this section so we will travel it in a tight group.  Near the south end, the surface changes to a double-track and single track hiking trail that may have some downed trees that we have to carry the bikes over.  The route then climbs the hiking trail to Watridge Lake, followed by double-track to the Mount Shark XC ski area parking lot.  Then along the access road to the Smith Dorrien, and 3.5km north on the Smith Dorrien to the Buller Day Use Area.  From there we ride the High Rockies MTB Trail back to the 3 Sisters Dam. Most of the trail is rated "Easy / Green", with a short "More Difficult / Blue" section due to rubble along a rockslide area.  Note that this rating is for mountain bikes; it would be rated harder for gravel bikes.  After the ride the EVCC is treating us to ice cream in Canmore! 

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51578411