Williams Lake
June 6-9th 2013
Williams Lake, in the Cariboo Region of BC, is a mere 6 hour drive from Vancouver whether you go via the Trans Canada or through Whistler. The route through Whistler is much more scenic and relaxing. The scene in Williams lake has been developing for 25 years since Mark Sevard started Red Shreds Bike Shop. Since then a strong mountain bike community has developed to create and maintain a diverse network of trails in Williams Lake as well as other areas of the Cariboo including – Quesnell, 100 mile house and Wells. The creation of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium is driving the initiative to make this area a Mountain Bike Destination. They do this by supporting new trails, creating maps and signage and holding events. All these facilitate riding in this area and making your experience as full as possible.
Williams Lake has 4 riding areas which can be pedalled or shuttled.
Fox Mountain – 28 Trails in 45km. One of which – Jimmy’s Fox – was built by the same person who built Leppard trail on Mt. Fromme in the North Shore!
Westsyde – 40 Trails in 97km. This area includes Box Trail an epic XC Ride as well as many Freeride trails including Snakes and Ladders. Snakes and Ladders was rebuilt in 2012 by First Journey Trails, Thomas Schoen with funding from the Province of BC, the Consortium and Northern Development. Read the Pinkbike story here on the history of this trail.
DeSous – 6 main trails with ~1000m of descending on the back side. This area is best shuttled, the trails are in pretty good shape due to lack of use.
South Lakeside – 26 Trails, mostly on Native or Private land. Negotiations are ongoing to secure the trails in this area. We didn’t get a chance to ride here.
We were going to eat at Vidas at 108 mile house on the way, but it was reserved for an event. We had a filling dinner at Firehouse Diner in 100 Mile House, Lenora recommened El Caballo, a restaurant run by a Mexican and German! Hmmm, we’ll check that out next time.
We start off our Leisurely drive through the Duffey Lake area. We are here a lot in the winter skiing so its nice to drive through in the summer.
We pull into Lenora’s B&B by the evening for relaxing accommodations by the lake. Lenora offers some rooms so give her a call to see if she has space during your visit.
The next day we meet at Red Shreds for some info, buy new brake pads and one of their cool Jerseys!
There we meet Jim Leppard who moved to Williams Lake 20 years ago. He built Leppard trail on Fromme.
Then we went for a ride on Fox Mountain. Summit loves the buffness.
Cool sign for Hillbilly Deluxe!
Some old structures at the top of Hillbilly Deluxe. We rode down Shuttle Bunny, a fast flowy, non stunty trail.
Day 2 we met up with Thomas Shoen, Chris and Justin to ride the new signature trail – Snakes and Ladders.
An up and over to pass a cattle fence.
View point at the towers on Westsyde
Nigel rode my Pivot Firebird on Snakes and Ladders. He seems to like it!
Day 3 we shuttle Desous. The skies were threatening so we took our first run down Soooo Long. Interestingly, we rode this trail 12 years ago on our hardtails. At that time there was a fire lookout here, no map and two trail head signs. – DH To Fraser and H. We figured H was the hiking trail so we should take the DH To Fraser. We ended up on the other side of Desous and had to ride 30km back. So this time we drove…
Our second run was Prime and Endless. A trail built for bigger bikes and yes, a big bike is good on the STEEP loose sections with tight switchbacks. We didn’t ride God Speed since Shreddie advised against riding it during this rainy patch of weather. Next time. Our last two runs were on the front side – Sous DH and the steeper OOSous. Both are short, fast and end in an XC section to exit on the road.
Having some refreshements on the front side of Desous.
In the city of Williams lake itself they do have the big Boitanio Bike Park. It has 6 major jump lines a pump track and skills area. Check it out when you’re in town, its behind the Save on Foods.
Info Center on the way into town. Very helpful.
Drive back through Lillooet, Guarenteed Rugged!
Fox Mountain Trails
Fox Loop – 450m Climbing, 12km
Shuttle Bunny -Approx 300m Descending, 2.7k
Westsyde Loop
700m Climbing, 23.5km
De Sous Shuttle
Sooo Long
Prime and Endless