Brandywine Falls. Train Wreck. Cheakamus Lake. Bring a camera
After doing a couple of “gravel” rides in the area over the last few weeks, it’s become clear that routes in Whistler should be measured in hours, not kilometres. On the trails around here you’re pretty much always in your granny gear, or have a fistful of brake lever. You’re gonna stop and take a lot of pictures, and possibly even a creek dip here and there. Maybe not the recipe for fast, high-mileage rides, but the trails here are technical, punchy and just plain fun.
In the summertime, you might know Whistler for its bike park, Crankworx, blah blah blah. I’m not really into mountain bikes, so it’s all noise to me. But I think Whistler JUST MIGHT be an underrated gravel zone.
Starting at Brandywine Falls, this route meanders along some of the best sections of the iconic Sea to Sky trail, before turning off onto Cheakamus Lake Road for a few miles of climbing. After sweating your way up the FSR, you’ll share a trail with hikers and campers, rolling through some gorgeous old-growth forest before it opens up at Cheakamus Lake. A pretty decent swimming hole, if you ask me.
On the way back you’ve got an opportunity to stop for coffee, a sausage roll or some axe-throwing in Function Junction, before hitting the touristy (but still cool) Whistler Train Wreck. Wind your way back to the Brandywine parking lot via the Sea to Sky Trail, and the Lava Lake Trail. EASY PEASY. A nice little half-day loop. Back to the city just in time to hit bridge traffic.
Happy Trails,
Love Machine
