The town of Merritt is 272km North East of Vancouver in the Nicola Valley. One of the first areas of BC that is clear of snow it making it a great place to camp and ride early in the season.
There are three distinct areas that you can ride. The mountain bike trails are maintained by a small group of dedicated people of the MerrittMountain Bike Association. The main trail areas are: Visitor Center, Midday Vally road trails and Lundbom Lake area.
This area also hosts many forest service campgrounds surrounding the many small lakes that are popular fishing areas. Venturing into this area is a treat for the city folk for a chance to see loons, fish, osprey and ornery locals giving you the evil eye for camping in their fishing hole.
One disadvantage of coming here on a long weekend to camp is that everyone seems to have this idea! The forest service campsites are quite full and you never know what kind of propanexploding, gun toting neighbours you may find yourself beside!
The only place we could find on this long weekend was a walk in site at Marquart Lake. Other Forest Service site info can be found at the Ministry or Tourism, Culture and the Arts website.
The first area we rode was up Midday Valley Road.
A good steady climb avoiding cow pies brings you to one of the more technical parts of this trail! Rock and Roll!
A taste of the North Shore.
Kinda out of the zone in this climate.
Then out in the open fields with views of the Coquihalla to be enjoyed for lunch!
Down Ziggy’s, so good you have to do it twice!
The next area we rode was right off the Visitors Center. Quite a popular place in the summer, you can also buy somosa’s, hot dogs and ice cream in the snack shop! There are 4 trails in this area, you generally climb up ‘ Too Much Info’ and down Ursa Major, Godey, or back down Too Much Info, a new trail has been built over the year as another DH descent. These trails also mark the end of the trails off Iron Mountain. Unfortunately whenever we ride in Merritt there is too much snow to hit these trails. They’re usually good to go in June.
The Big Easy on Too Much Info
Starting in June the trails off Iron Mountain become clear of snow. The easiest trail – 98 – will keep you on your toes! These trails are steep, rocky and gnarly! Then they become fast and buff and all end up on the Godey Creek trail.
Luke on 99
Carlos on 99
Nigel on 99
Tyler on 99
Luke on 99
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