After yesterday’s rainy ride, today was looking a lot more dry and I had a new personal challenge in mind. I had noticed on Strava’s global heatmap, when turned to ‘All Sports’, had an image of a small shelter that was constructed on the north side of Burnaby Mountain in a rather random area. There was zero heatmap activity for bikes, and very little for hiking/running as well. I was very intrigued. I knew the area well enough to know these trails would barely exist, if at all, but it also wasn’t too far off-trail to go – maybe a few hundred metres?
How bad could it be?
Well I know better than to ask that question, but I did it anyway. The ride out to this area is nice as well – a series of easy trails which become quite lumpy once I reach Burnaby Mountain. The area I’m headed to is on the far side, just before Port Moody’s neighbourhood developments.
I also decided to take the optional side trail, which is lower traffic and a little more technical, but the Evasion was great in here. It’s a bit much on the Bombadil. These spots look fine, but some of it is pretty rooty and rocky.
Then I reached where I was headed – a staircase up from the main road with a familiar trail, but I was cutting across a clearing by the trail and heading into an area of the woods I’d never considered exploring previously. On the far side of the clearing I saw a small trail head up what looked like an old logging skidder road perhaps, so I followed it.
What started as an already small trail quickly dissipated into nearly nothing. Soon after crossing a creek and scrambling up a steep embankment, I was basically just bushwhacking with no clear path.
I pushed on for a bit, but it became clear that a) I was not going in the direction I meant to be and b) to get to where I needed to go, every step was going to be hard fought. I turned around and headed back… well, I tried to. I ended up somewhere different, a testament to how utterly lacking any sort of trail was.
So that was a complete failure, but I also was pretty off-track from what I expected, so I looked around down lower for a trail in. It was easy to miss but I found a path on the other side of the creek so attempt number two began.
The first bit was steep and slick, but then I was on a plateau with a trail that was easier to see and also somewhat rideable. Things were looking up! Just as I was getting excited at my progress though I came across a very janky pile of logs in the vague form of a bridge. It doesn’t look so steep and deep in photos, but there wasn’t really a viable way across without taking this bridge, so I carefully shuffled across with my bike.
The trail became a little more technical but still easily walked. I hoped to see the shelter around every corner at this point. However, instead I reached a steep and long descent into a ravine. Sigh.
I slipped and slid my way down (not really exaggerating) the muddy trail down to a small creek crossing. The trail then followed the creek at the bottom of this ravine and a few minutes later, success! There it was!
I was impressed by the quality of construction as much as I was impressed by how completely random this location is. Truly a hidden gem.
Along the trail were various trinkets as well. This is, or was, someone’s pride and joy trail for sure. I would love to know if they still use the trail.
I made my way back out and continued around the mountain, now sticking to established trails that I knew and trusted. Green and blue MTB trails are a lot of fun on the Evasion – with the saddle dropped it tracks over roots and rocks with ease. I do have to be mindful that it’s still gravel bike geometry, as I nearly went over the bars on a slightly steeper rooty section.
Around the other side of the mountain is Dageraad Brewing, it just so happens. I was able to refuel with a burger and beer… okay two beers.
Looking now at Strava heatmaps, here is the global map (blue) and now with my ride (red).. needless to say probably the first and logically the last bike to go this route! I do not recommend bringing a bike, but I do recommend checking it out!
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