Crowsnest-Castle Cruise

• Private land: As you leave Hillcrest along Bear Valley Trail, there are short sections that cross private land (signed with a dissuasive mixture of “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” signs to ward off motorized use). However, non-motorized traffic is permitted by the landowners, so please remember to show respect and do not camp or wander off-route in this area. 
• As you head north of Castle Falls, Shell Canada has an active sour gas plant in the area. Thus, although hikers and cyclists are permitted to access the forest reserve, the road is often gated to block motorized traffic. It is extremely difficult to reach a Shell employee by phone or email to request ungated access so it is recommended that you travel with a companion to simplify passing bikes over the gate. Unlike the south gate, the north gate has a large gap in the fence to allow access for non-motorized traffic. 
• Dangers: This area is outside of cell service and it is bear country. Make noise! 

• Random backcountry camping is allowed in both Livingstone and Castle Wildland Provincial Parks. 
• If you want to use the campsites indicated on the route, it is recommended to reserve sites in advance (albertaparks.ca). They have basic amenities, including outhouses and non-potable water pumps.
• The Lynx Creek Day Use Area has picnic tables near the creek, making it a great lunch spot.
• Castle Mountain Ski Lodge and Hostel has both hotel and hostel-style rooms available. There are also links to private cabin rentals on the Castle Mountain Resort website.

• There are plenty of opportunities for filtering water at the campsites shown on the map, and there is potable water available at the establishments at Castle Mountain Resort. 
• Dehydrated meals are available for purchase at Spry in Blairmore.
• The T-Bar at Castle Mountain Resort is a wonderful place to end your first day of riding and is open from Friday to Sunday during the summer. But be sure to verify the hours on the resort’s website before departing, because if the T-Bar is closed, there are no opportunities for food along this route.
• We recommend Stone’s Throw Cafe in Blairmore for breakfast and your daily dose of caffeine on the first day (they serve locally roasted beans from Crowsnest Coffee Company). It’s also just down the road from Alpenland (bike shop) and Spry, if you need any last-minute supplies. 
• Upon your return to the Crowsnest Pass, be sure to stop in at the Pass Beer Co. for a cold one!

Descriptions of the alternative advanced segments, from south to north (i.e. in order of riding, if doing all three):

1. Towards the end of the first day, you can opt to take the Great Divide hiking trail that branches off O’Hagen Road, which has “The Great Trail” markers all the way south to the paved road that leads into Castle Mountain Resort. The first half of this segment is unmaintained, uninspiring double track through the forest. When you roll over the highest point and begin descending, however, you’ll find beautiful wildflowers and brief scenic views down the valley. At this point, the doubletrack disappears into a narrow, steeper, and sometimes overgrown hiking trail with sections of loose rock and loam. Expert riders may be capable of maneuvering around a tight set of switchbacks in the middle of the descent but most will find themselves walking a short section. 

2. On the second day, shortly after you begin heading north from Lynx Creek Campground, there is another section of Great Divide hiking trail to be tackled. This segment begins with a hike-a-bike (~200 metres of elevation gain) up a rocky, washed-out doubletrack trail. As you obtain the ridge, the trail becomes mostly rideable, with only short sections of loose rock that are easier to navigate on foot. The ridge itself is a gradual climb but rewards you with plenty of remote views. The descent begins with a wash of intimidatingly loose “baby head” rocks but eventually becomes fast and flowy, bringing you back to the main Sartoris Road, where you can opt to take the easier gravel route back to the start or soldier on to the next challenging alternative segment.

3. Almost immediately after returning to Sartoris Road from the second alternative segment, you cross the road and a small bridge and continue through the valley. Note that you may come across some ATV traffic in this area. Towards Willoughby Peak, the trail gets quite steep and will be mostly hike-a-bike. At the summit, you’ll find the best views of this entire route, including mountain ranges to the north and west, the Crowsnest Pass below, and the stunning Crowsnest Mountain. A fun singletrack trail, called “Rumhead” starts just below the fire lookout. A short connector then links the end of Rumhead to “York with a Fork,” which is eventually intersected by a cut block trail that returns riders to Pass Powderkeg Ski Area where there is one more fun, flowy descent on “Buck 50” back to the parking area.