In August was able to to get up to the Barry's Bay and Combermere area again. And that gave the oppurtunity to ride a different route. One I had thought of but kinda lost interest as the year before it was bug season when I tried another section of the Thomas P Murray Recreation Trails.
Thomas P Murray Recreation Trails
This time I would be looking to find McGillivary Peak Look Out
After parking at the trail head just off Chanonhouse Rd it was time to get to seek the route and the peak. And to make things more interesting let us add a wee bit of rain and drizzle.
Shortly after leaving the Dirtbag Ute and down the trail began the grunt climb of the day Up a unrideable steep hill filled with sand and gravel. As the Stamina Man once said...if you haven't pushed/carried your bike was it hard enough?
Once up that nasty hill the rest of it was double track with ups and downs as followed the route that was roughly outlined. Reality is when your not a local takes longer to go a shorter distance in backcountry trail systems. Because you do have to stop a bit more to double check trails versus your location because signs can change and trails may be re-routed.
About half way up it stopped drizzling and actually got a wee bit brighter. And finally topped out at the peak where the view point was. Nothing like the mountains anywhere in BC. But better then nothing.
Of course one cannot get to the top and not have a beverage at the top. Summit beer was required to go with the view.
Keeping aware of the time and it being after 5pm. And keeping in mind that it could potentially start to rain and get cold. It was time to begin heading back. On the way out to the main trail noted a bit of shelter that could be used if necessary.
Followed the double track that would take me to Rockingham Creek and then follow the creek. With more of the same double track the whole way with one more hill needed to be hike a biked. The rest was sand and rock filled but rideable. Turns out that left at the right time as it decided to rain. Not just drizzle but actual rain. So stopped and pulled out the packable rain jacket.
Another 25 minutes of riding in the rain got to the junction where the double track connected to Chanonhouse Rd. And followed it back to the Ute parked at the trailhead. And of course it was still raining.
Still raining which sucked as if it hadn't would have been less need to get rolling. However I readily admit that the Ute wasn't quite gear ready yet for relaxing in place . It is still a work in progress.
Info: These trails should be treated as backcountry mtb trails. Be prepared for all contingencies and have a plan. Cell service should not be relied on as your only option for if things happen. Know when to pull the plug and try the next day.
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