Day 02: Boulton Campground to Elkford

Today we rode from Boulton Campground, Alberta, Canada to Elkford, British Columbia, Canada. Again sunny weather with little clouds. Fortunately not as warm as yesterday. Mostly gravel roads, but some challenging (including hike-a-bike) single/jeep tracks. Highlights of the day Elk Pass and meeting other persons on the Divide.

Riding statistics: on Tuesday August 2, 2022, the 2nd day on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route route, it took 08:02h (05:57h moving time), between 08:25 and 16:27, to cover 85 km (53 miles), including 981 m (3219 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 14 km/h (9 mph). During today's ride the average temperature was 26 °C (82 °F) with a minimum of 11 °C (52 °F) and a maximum of 45 °C (120 °F).

Totals: So far, it took 0 days, 13 hours, 22 minutes and 42 seconds of cycling time to cover 180 km (112 miles), including 2307 m (7569 ft) elevation gain, with an average speed of 13.5 km/h (8.4 mph).

Leaving Boulton Campground

At 08:30 we left the Boulton Campground. We immediately could warm-up our legs because we had to climb all the way up to Elk Pass. Immediately after turning onto unpaved road we had to get up a steep section which was impossible to bike (with a loaded bike, but even unloaded I am not sure I would get up). At that first steep uphill we met John and Jane, an elderly couple from the UK. The are also riding the Great Divide Mountain Bike Ride from North to South. Riding towards Elk Pass was nice but challenging. Sometimes you see track way in front of you, but what you not realize at that moment is that you first have to go back down to the valley to cross a river, and then get back up to the same level (and more) as you were before. On top of Elk Pass we met a family that were out for a hike. The have come up there in a 4×4 pickup via the road we were about the take to continue. Nice people, and they offered us a coffee in the lodge where they were staying. About an hour later we reached a primitive lodge at Tobermory Creek (in the middle of nowhere). You can use it for free, first-come-first-serve, and guest should clean up after use. They had some tents they used and used the lodge for one of the kids and to store their food. We had a break over there and when we were about to leave they just arrived after their hike. We continued because we already had our break.

The Afternoon

In the afternoon we again had a long gravelroad but this one was much more pleasant compared to the one from yesterday. Better condition (less loose gravel in which your front tire can dig in), less traffic, and a nice wind (sometimes a hard one), but changing direction regularly. During the whole day we sometimes rode with the UK couple and sometimes we were riding alone. During lunch break we also met other people. A couple from the US who were doing the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in sections (because of time). They were now doing their last section towards Jasper. We also met 2 guys riding a part of the route combined with some other sections in this area. At the end of the long gravel road we were almost in Elkford, our destination of today. We decided to follow the formal route, which means it ended with a single track of about 7km. That has taken a while. A few steeps sections that had to be hiked. Some technical parts, and a constant lookout for bears because the vegetation was dense. Eventually we made it and went to the local city campground

Elkford campground

After checking in we pitched our tents, took a shower, did some groceries and went to a local ‘restaurant’ with great burgers and fries. Went to bed early. Tomorrow we will be arriving in Sparwood where we have to decide to do the Flathead Alternate. Very remote, very technical, high bear population, but it sounds amazing. The question is whether it is a smart choice since we have heard that there are washouts meaning a lot of work to pass these with bike and gear on a section which is already difficult.

Gallery

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