I’ve written up previous experiences of this loop, but this day I rode a bike that I’ve only had a month that is extremely well suited to the terrain: the Susie Longbolts / Wolbis Slugstone, a “hillibike” by Rivendell. The name ‘hillibike’ is to signify its suitability for trail riding while distancing itself from today’s interpretation of a ‘mountain bike’ since it shares little in common with the modern concept.
The ride out was cool, damp but with little precipitation. Back in town it was a partly cloudy day without any rain in the forecast – but up this valley, the city forecast doesn’t really apply.
I took my time more than usual since I was alone, stopping to check out anything that caught my attention. I rode the full length of Fishermans trail along the Seymour river, which has had several washouts over the past couple years but is running very nice right now. While I didn’t stop for photos, there was a section that had clearly overrun with water during a recent storm event but remained rideable.
This marsh at mid valley, adjacent to the start of Spur 4, is a really special spot to spend time. I don’t know of any similar marsh in the region, and the views are obviously quite stunning.
Spur 4 is a gravel FSR that is not accessible by motorized vehicle, which is unusual around here and makes it quite special to ride. While a relatively popular gravel route among local cyclists, it is still very low traffic and you can go quite a while without seeing another human – if you see one at all.
I took the short detour up to Lost Lake, located partway along Spur 4, but the water level was so high I could barely get a glimpse of the lake. The logs piled up by the access are usually in marsh and can be traversed, but today they were floating and had separated.
Spur 4 ends with a loose gravel single track connector down over the Seymour river near the dam, which was roaring today, and then begins the Hatchery trail, the highlight of this valley for me.
Hatchery trail is an extremely well-maintained gravel path that winds through the most exotic rainforest of the valley, covered in otherworldly moss and lichen, with large trees and a creek that hosts fish spawning. As the name implies, the hatchery is what provides the impetus to put so much effort into a trail that is so far away from the nearest car access – about 12km!
There are many bridges along this relatively short trail, and each one is as new and robust as the one above, with an engraved placard noting the creek over which it passes. I am still blown away by the effort that goes into such a low traffic, out-of-the-way trail but I am very grateful.
Speaking of these bridges, I came across one that is new since I was last on this trail a few months ago, connecting to a smaller side trail over Rainbow creek. Though I saw no signage suggesting it’s no-bikes, the trail itself is so low-intervention on the land that I treaded very carefully. Featured along this side-quest was a 500 year old Sitka spruce.
I hadn’t seen anyone else in quite some time now, and spent plenty of time just in awe of the beauty and texture of the forest – even though I’ve been coming here regularly for years, I never get used to it. A light drizzle was only making the experience better; this forest feels most alive with rain and cool air.
Noting that I was a couple hours from home, the increasing precipitation was indication I should start making my way back as it was only about 4C. I had my trusty buckskin gloves on as well as some wool layers, but I wasn’t really prepared to get soaked.
Unfortunately, what happened immediately next was I got soaked! The rain turned to hail as it ramped up in intensity, and I began to regret my decision to wear lightweight pants with no long underwear as the thin fabric wrapped itself, soaking wet, against my increasing cold legs.
I took the Hydraulic creek connector down to the mid valley lookout, which features a covered gazebo I was very much looking forward to. Two fellas were sitting under it listening to music and drinking hot chocolate, having arrived before the storm and now were enjoying themselves waiting it out. I showed up haplessly soaked, though I was amused by the weather more than anything.
If I managed to get to cover before I was thoroughly soaked I’d have stayed there for a while, but instead I was concerned that lack of movement at this point would cause me to take on a chill I wouldn’t be able to shake so I pressed on after a few minutes of chatting. One of the guys was really impressed by the Susie; he rode an older mountain bike with a heavy duty pannier rack but took keen interest in every detail of the unusual rig I was aboard.
Not many photos were taken over the next hour because my hands were cold as a result of my gloves becoming saturated, and taking off my gloves was not appealing. As anticipated, the weather eased as I reached the mouth of the valley and by the time I was in my neighbourhood, it was downright pleasant out. I stopped a couple km from home and enjoyed the beer I had carried with me the whole trip – I was saving it for the gazebo, thinking I’d be relatively dry at that time. Turns out I should have drank it along the Hatchery trail, perhaps on that small dock on the small forest pond featured above.
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