2018 BC Epic: Cranbrook, Grey Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Trail, Castlegar.

Between Fernie and Cranbrook and beyond, I passed some of the BC Epic 1000 riders going the other way. More often than not one of us was going downhill fast and not keen about stopping the loaded rig so no chit chat. I did however have a nice conversation with an eastbound rider from Castlegar while finishing a milkshake and cheeseburgers at the Koocanusa Campsite & Marina.

Eastbound BC Epic 1000 Riders on Day 5.

St. Mary's River crossing on approach to Grey Creek Road.

Grey Creek Pass was the toughest climb on the tour. There is about 80k of no services before the pass and about 25k of gradual climbing on logging road before the climb proper which is about 12k. The locals claim the springs along the road are crystal clear, ice cold and potable. I concur. Once over the summit it's a wicked 15k switchback descent with 15% grades down to Grey Creek and the general store for snacks. After that I rolled down to the free Kootenay Lake Ferry to Balfour and paved road to Nelson.

Snowbowl at summit of Grey Creek Pass ~6800ft.

Columbia River MTB trail

The Brilliant Suspension Bridge, Castlegar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brilliant_Suspension_Bridge

The next day, July 6th, I rode through brown bear habitat between Nelson and Salmo, then had a nice lunch at a cafe in Salmo. It was easy riding to Trail but as I was getting close to Castlegar on the Columbia river MTB trail I was starting to suffer from the 37 degree heat so made a short day of it taking a motel after about 135k.