Bikepacking adventures often conjure images of smooth, flowing trails and breathtaking vistas reached effortlessly on two wheels. However, the reality, and often the most rewarding part, lies in the unexpected challenges, particularly those sections where pedaling gives way to pushing – the hike-a-bike. In the South Chilcotin Mountains of British Columbia, amidst stunning landscapes and demanding terrain, the act of pushing your bike becomes not just a necessity, but a unique and memorable element of the journey. My recent trip with RJ Sauer in this region brought this truth into sharp focus, revealing a spectrum of “Push Bike” experiences that deserve their own classification.
When the South Chilcotin Mountains are mentioned in bikepacking circles, the name Skyler Des Roches naturally arises. A prominent figure in western Canadian bikepacking, Skyler has crafted incredible routes and contributed significantly to innovative bikepacking gear. While I initially hoped to explore the Chilcotins with Skyler, the spontaneous invitation from RJ Sauer for a last-minute trip was too enticing to pass up. We quickly aligned on our goals: maximize time on exhilarating singletrack, capture the beauty through photography, and embrace whatever challenges the trail threw our way, even if it meant plenty of bike pushing.
South Chilcotin Mountains Bikepacking Adventure
With dehydrated meals packed and anticipation high, RJ and I set off from Tyax Lodge onto Tyaughton Lake Road, eager to immerse ourselves in the sub-alpine ridges, glacier-fed lakes, and, yes, the inevitable bike pushing that awaited.
The Best of the South Chilcotin Mountains route, a 121-kilometer loop within the South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park, is renowned for its diverse character. Rolling meadows give way to exposed alpine singletrack, punctuated by thrilling descents. However, the route also incorporates rough, remote trails and significant hike-a-bike sections, contributing to over 9,000 feet of elevation gain. For both RJ and me, this was our first bikepacking experience in the Chilcotins, and we were prepared for a challenge. Little did we know just how much we would be whooping and hollering – perhaps as much to ward off bears as to express our enjoyment.
Bikepacking in South Chilcotin Mountains with Push Bike Sections
South Chilcotin Mountains Hike-a-Bike View
South Chilcotin Mountains Technical Trail
South Chilcotin Mountains Alpine Scenery
I’ve come to appreciate bike pushing as an integral part of bikepacking. Often, these “push bike” sections lead to the most rewarding vistas and trails, offering a unique sense of accomplishment. In the Chilcotins, the beauty is that nearly every hike-a-bike segment is nestled between stretches of incredible singletrack. While the ascents could be demanding, the reward of the subsequent ride down made the effort quickly fade into a fond memory.
Class 1 Hike-a-Bike: The Power Walk
Many of the hike-a-bike sections we encountered fell into what I’ve termed “Class 1.” Imagine a gentle walking path or a lazy river float – these are trails that would be easily rideable on an unloaded mountain bike. However, after days of hauling loaded bikes over steep mountain passes, they become “push bike” zones. Class 1 hike-a-bikes are less physically taxing and more of a mental hurdle. In the Chilcotins, these manifested as short creek crossings, rutted trails, and muddy bogs – sections where dismounting was simply the most efficient or only option, even if our egos protested slightly.
Class 1 hike-a-bikes are ubiquitous. They are present in local trail networks and backroads, appearing unexpectedly. They are like that friend who is both unpredictable and dependable, sometimes annoying but ultimately good to have around. Perhaps it’s a descent too risky to ride fully loaded, or a sandy patch eroded by traffic. In a way, these Class 1 sections provide a welcome change of pace.
Class 1 Hike-a-Bike Creek Crossing
RJ and I would continue our conversations, remarking on the prime grizzly bear habitat in the valleys we traversed, and half-heartedly attempt to remount our bikes when the terrain leveled out momentarily. We slowed our pace, refilled water bottles from pristine streams adorned with wildflowers, snacked frequently, and steadily progressed.
Class 1 hike-a-bikes are perfect natural pauses, ideal for capturing photos or catching your breath before tackling what lies ahead. For us, this meant anticipating larger passes, more singletrack adventures, and lakeside campsites inviting our company. We happily obliged, one foot in front of the other.
Left foot, right foot. Oh! Look, a wildflower!
Class 1 Hike-a-Bike Wildflower Break
Class 2 Hike-a-Bike: The Sweet Spot of Challenge
As we ventured deeper into the Chilcotin Mountains, around Lorna Lake, the landscape dramatically shifted. The transitions from valley floors to steep, rocky trails became more abrupt. The sheer scale of the surrounding mountains began to sink in. The Lorna Pass Trail, ascending approximately 1,000 feet in just two kilometers, sees considerable traffic from hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. While rideable in short bursts, most of the ascent demands pushing, yet it is undeniably beautiful. The trail winds up a steep valley, eventually tracing a scree slope compacted by those traversing between Big Creek Park and South Chilcotin Mountains Park to the east.
RJ, ahead of me, was photographing the scenery when we both heard the distinctive drone of a Tyax Lodge float plane. We caught a fleeting glimpse, and just as we thought it was gone, the plane reappeared from behind the slope for a swift flyby – likely returning to the lodge from Lorna Lake.
“Hell yeah!” I exclaimed, as RJ managed to capture shots of the plane overhead with me positioned on the scree slope below. Perfect timing indeed.
Hands firmly on grips. Drive-side pedal forward. Stay close to the bike. Push deliberately.
Class 2 Hike-a-Bike Scree Slope
Class 2 hike-a-bikes necessitate increased focus and careful foot placement. Steep scree slopes can be exposed and intimidating, the trail sometimes faint and narrow. Attempting to balance a loaded bike against your hip while simultaneously searching for a float plane in your camera viewfinder, all while teetering on a loose, narrow path, is perhaps not recommended. Though steep in sections, Class 2 “push bike” terrain doesn’t yet require advanced footwork or braking techniques… yet.
Class 3 Hike-a-Bike: The Point of No Return (Almost)
Occasionally, you encounter an elevation profile or a seemingly vertical trail that clearly marks the gateway to something extraordinary, albeit challenging. That familiar mix of apprehension and bittersweet anticipation is well-known to seasoned bikepackers like RJ and myself. These trails might be better suited for ropes and climbing gear, but we persevere with our bikes. Hydraulic brakes become essential, fighting the bike’s urge to roll backward. Precise foot placement is crucial to avoid slipping on roots and uneven ground, utilizing every available natural handhold and foothold. These are grades so steep you might briefly contemplate selling your bike and taking up downhill skiing for the rest of the season.
Push, brake, pull, repeat. The mantra of Class 3.
Class 3 Hike-a-Bike Steep Ascent
While the South Chilcotin Mountains aren’t riddled with Class 3 hike-a-bikes, we did encounter a few exposed, off-camber sections that were too steep to ride comfortably, yet still navigable. With ample time, we opted to deviate from the standard route to conquer two additional passes along the High Trail. This detour rewarded us with some of the most iconic views and incredibly long singletrack descents, more than justifying the extra “push bike” effort.
At one point, RJ asked, “Do you have a preferred side of the bike to push from?”
“Yeah, the right side. But I try to alternate as much as possible.”
“Same here.”
Class 3 Hike-a-Bike Alternating Sides
I find a peculiar joy in finding myself in places where my pre-bikepacking self would have questioned how anyone could reach such locations, and where they could possibly be heading. A sticker from my friend Joe Cruz, affixed to my top tube, serves as a constant reminder: the fun starts when you stop having fun – a sentiment that rings profoundly true in these moments.
A pedal strike to the shin. Sunglasses fogging. No summit in sight. At least it’s not raining.
Class 3 Hike-a-Bike Rewarding View
The “push bike” sections in the South Chilcotin Mountains, categorized into these three classes, are not obstacles to be avoided, but rather integral components of a richer, more rewarding bikepacking experience. They test your resilience, lead you to hidden gems, and ultimately enhance the satisfaction of the ride. Embrace the push, for it is often in these moments that the true inspiration of bikepacking is found.
Interested in exploring this route? We’ve recently updated the Best of the South Chilcotin Mountains bikepacking route, adding more essential details, points of interest, and an alternative High Trail option for even more incredible descents… and, of course, hike-a-bikes.
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