Mountain Biking in the Chilcotin Mountains

Day 1: Ranch to Spruce Lake

Today your mountain bike adventure begins. We’ll depart from the ranch by shuttle to the trailhead of Tyaughton Creek Trail. Once there, take a deep breath of fresh, crisp air and pedal along breathtaking mountain slopes. We’ll ride through emerald forests with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife like bighorn sheep, mountain goat, fox, wolverines, falcons, and eagles.

Later, we stop for lunch in an alpine meadow. A perfect opportunity to enjoy the subtle color palette of the wildflowers and take some pictures for your travel album.

Next, we cross the Tyaughton Creek Trail and arrive at our Spruce Lake base camp. We’ll have a cozy dinner at the camp reliving the experiences of the day. You’ll also have a chance to enjoy fishing at Spruce Lake or just unwind under the starry skies. We’ll spend the night at camp.

Day 2: Spruce Lake

After breakfast, we pack up and continue with our biking adventure. Today we embark on a scenic ride around Spruce Lake, following the Open Heart and Cowboy Camp trails. Be enchanted by lush landscapes and meadows filled with colorful blossoms.

After lunch, we arrive at Spruce Lake camp and congratulate ourselves on finishing the 10-km (6-mi) loop. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the camp. Later, go for a replenishing dip in the lake or take a hot shower.

Day 3: Spruce Lake to Ranch

After breakfast, we gear up and begin our ride back to the ranch. We’ll pedal along the Gun Creek Trail, which is best described as “gravy, with a few lumps.” Along the way, be immersed in larger than life landscapes. We’ll pass wide valleys, lush forests, and winding rivers.

In the afternoon, arrive at the ranch, freshen up, and gobble up some lunch to restore your energy. Later, pack up for your journey home.

Depart for Vancouver or Surrey, arriving in the evening.

Day 1: Ranch to Eldorado

Embark on a scenic 10-km (8-mi) route that starts at the ranch and ends at Eldorado Basin camp. Estimated duration of the ride is 5 hours.First, you depart the ranch by shuttle to the trailhead of the Taylor Creek Trail. Follow a historic mining road, climbing up to Taylor Basin. En route, discover an old mining cabin and explore the remnants of the past mining activity.

In the afternoon, have lunch at the rural Taylor Cabin and relish in the beauty of nature. The stunning landscapes of the South Chilcotin Mountains and moments of serenity await.

Later, arrive at Eldorado Basin camp where your guide will prepare a delectable dinner. It’s time to relax and feast your eyes on starry skies. We spend the night at the camp.

Day 2: Eldorado to Spruce Lake

Today prepare for an 8-km (6-mi) spectacular biking route. The estimated duration of the ride is 5-7 hours.

After breakfast, we pack up and hit the road towards Spruce Lake. Traverse breathtaking mountain passes and let the fresh forest air fill your lungs. Along the way, admire delicate wildflower meadows.

Later, we stop for lunch either on a picturesque mountain pass or in a glorious alpine meadow. Next, arrive at Spruce Lake camp. Go canoeing on the pristine Spruce Lake if you feel like it.

In the evening, enjoy a lovely dinner. The night is spent at the camp.

Day 3: Spruce Lake

Enjoy breakfast in the tranquil surroundings of the camp and prepare for a day full of beauty and adventure. Today we’ll be riding around the spectacular Spruce Lake, following the Open Heart and Cowboy Camp trails. It’s a 10-km (8-mi) long route. The estimated duration of the ride is 4-5 hours.

Pass rolling mountains and lush, flower-filled meadows as we pedal around the glistening lake. Along the way, discover thick forests and soak up all their therapeutic value of cool, leafy shades.

Stop enroute for lunch and to catch a breath. Take some time to snap some pictures or just enjoy the tranquility of nature before we continue with our ride.

Arrive at Spruce Lake camp. Enjoy your dinner and the velvety embrace of starry darkness that you can only find in the remote wilderness.

Day 4: Spruce Lake to Ranch

Today is the last day of our biking adventure. Prepare for a 25-km (16-mi) route back to the ranch. The estimated duration of the ride is 3-5 hours.

After breakfast, gear up and enjoy the smooth ride through the rolling Gun Creek Trail. Along the way, take in sweeping views of open valleys, punctuated by gushing rivers. Wildlife lovers are bound to be captivated by bird symphonies under the shade of trees in ancient woods.

Arrive at the ranch. It’s time to have some lunch to restore your strength. Later, pack for your journey home.

Depart for Vancouver or Surrey, arriving in the evening.

Day 1: Arrival & Pre-trip briefing

Arrive at the ranch, located in the middle of the Canadian wilderness. Once there, take a breath of crisp mountain air and enjoy the anticipation of the upcoming adventure.

Your guide will provide you with an introduction and pre-trip briefing. Later, ride the local trail and get to know the surrounding area. In the evening, you’ll have some time to pack for tomorrow’s backcountry trip.

The night is spent at the ranch.

Day 2: Ranch to Tyax

Today we start our mountain bike expedition. Depart from the ranch by shuttle to the trailhead of the Tyaughton Creek trail. Once there, hop on your bike and ride to our Tyax base camp.

Traverse mid-elevation grasslands and discover endless verdant forests. Gaze at imposing peaks, rising high above the surrounding area. The sweeping views of the South Chilcotin Mountains will leave you breathless.

We stop for lunch in an alpine meadow bursting with alpine blooms. As we continue with our expedition, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like a mountain goat, mule deer, bighorn sheep, fox, porcupine, beaver, and a variety of birds.

Cross Tyaughton Creek before arriving at our Tyax base camp. There a delicious dinner awaits. Then it’s time to kick back and stargaze under clear night skies in this wild paradise. The night is spent at our Tyax camp.

Day 3: Tyax to Big Creek

After breakfast, we hop on our bikes and head north towards Big Creek Valley. Ride through ancient Native trading routes. For hundreds of years, this area served as the main trading route and bore the imprints of horse hooves. Today these trails are marked with lines from mountain bike tires.

As we ascend the ancient trails, discover a plethora of stunning valleys including Paradise Valley, Graveyard Valley, Big Creek Valley, Grant and Tosh Valley. Then, be immersed in the tranquil beauty of Lorna Lake.

Come back to our Tyax base camp for dinner. The night is spent at the camp.

Day 4: Tyax to Spruce Lake

Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air before we hop on our bikes. Today we’ll be riding to the top of Deer Pass. Along the way, witness the majestic beauty of the true wilderness. Each meter of the journey will be accompanied by imposing peaks and wide valleys.

Stop for lunch in the crisp mountain air. As we continue with our expedition, discover a stunning trio of lakes including the Warner, Trigger, and Hummingbird lakes.

Pass Cowboy Camp before arriving at our Spruce Lake camp. Choose to go canoeing on the magnificent lake or take some personal time in this wild paradise. Later, an appetizing dinner awaits. The night is spent the camp.

Day 5: Spruce to Eldorado

After breakfast, pack up and prepare for a change of scenery. Today we embark on a journey of exploration in Eldorado Mountain.

In the afternoon, we come back to our Spruce Lake camp. Enjoy fishing on the glistening lake where rainbow trouts shimmer underwater.

In the evening, your guide will prepare substantial and healthy meals for dinner. Enjoy your food in the beautiful surroundings of nature. The night is spent at the camp.

Day 6: Spruce Lake

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get ready for today’s fascinating ride. Today we’ll be pedaling around Spruce Lake, following the Open Heart and Cowboy Camp trails. Discover wild landscapes filled with mountain views, emerald forests and flowering alpine meadows.

In the afternoon, stop for lunch and catch your breath. Take some time to snap pictures for your travel album.

Then, head back to our Spruce Lake camp. After an adventure-filled day, enjoy a warm meal under open skies. The night is spent at camp.

Day 7: Spruce Lake to Ranch

After breakfast, we gear up and start our ride back to the ranch. Ride along Gun Creek Trail and admire views of wide valleys, crisscrossed by glacier-fed rivers. Discover lush indigenous forests and reconnect with nature.

Arrive at the ranch for a hot meal. After lunch, pack for your journey home. We thank you for joining this tour and hope you have had the time of your life!

Depart for Vancouver or Surrey, arriving in the evening.

Practical Information

• This tour is available for both beginners and advanced riders but do make sure you’re reasonably physically fit.
• At this time of year, expect pleasant sunny weather but don’t forget to bring warm outdoor clothing for chilly mornings or rainy days. A recommended packing list will be provided upon booking.
• Transfer from Vancouver to the Guest Ranch can be added at an additional cost ($500 CAD per person).
• If you decide to travel to the Chilcotin Holiday Guest Ranch by yourself, full directions on how to reach the ranch will be provided upon booking.
• This is a family-friendly tour. However, if you go alone, the minimum age is 19 years old.

Please Note

• Our day-by-day itinerary might vary depending on the unpredictable weather conditions that come with the mountainous environment. However, we’re well-equipped to adapt to the changed conditions in the case of weather change.
• A 5 % Wilderness Stewardship Contribution Surcharge applies to all tours.