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Aug 7th to 13th - Gumby Wanders the Kootenays

A nine day motorcycle trip exploring the back roads of BC's Kootenay Region.
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Having taken Gumby North-West into the Cariboo country for the past two years, we decided to switch it up and head South-East into BC's Kootenay Country this year. We had nine fantastic days exploring the back-roads of the Kootenay Mountains. The first two days were with the Valley BMW Riders at the annual Kaslo Camp 'n' Ride. Sunday morning John, Doug and I headed out looking for a bit more adventure. As usual we would try our best to avoid paved roads and highways but it was a bit more difficult to do so in this part of the country. We did manage string together a good number of nice passes and gravel roads to explore.
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Having taken Gumby North-West into the Cariboo country for the past two years, we decided to switch it up and head South-East into BC's Kootenay Country this year. We had nine fantastic days exploring the back-roads of the Kootenay Mountains. The first two days were with the Valley BMW Riders at the annual Kaslo Camp 'n' Ride. Sunday morning John, Doug and I headed out looking for a bit more adventure. As usual we would try our best to avoid paved roads and highways but it was a bit more difficult to do so in this part of the country. We did manage string together a good number of nice passes and gravel roads to explore.

  • Having taken Gumby North-West into the Cariboo country for the past two years, we decided to switch it up and head South-East into BC's Kootenay Country this year. We had nine fantastic days exploring the back-roads of the Kootenay Mountains. The first two days were with the Valley BMW Riders at the annual Kaslo Camp 'n' Ride. Sunday morning John, Doug and I headed out looking for a bit more adventure. As usual we would try our best to avoid paved roads and highways but it was a bit more difficult to do so in this part of the country. We did manage string together a good number of nice passes and gravel roads to explore.
  • Sunday morning and Diane and Shirley headed home. Doug, John and I (and Gumby) were headed off on our adventure into the Kootenays. The weather to the East looked promising as we boarded the Ferry at Balfour.
  • Looking behind us to the West however, the sky looked pretty ominous. The predicted thunderstorm was creeping up behind us. Our hope was to stay ahead of it as long as possible.
  • Aboard the Balfour-Kootenay Bay Ferry crossing Kootenay Lake. The storm is still following us.
  • Doug and Wayne enjoying the sun on the Ferry (Photo by John G.) ( I really need to get him to correct the date on his camera. )
  • I had purloined a number of GPS tracks from an ADVRider inmate from Calgary who goes by the name of Lycan1. I hoped to string a number of the tracks together into a good loop through the area. The first track we were after was Gray Creek Pass, the highest road pass in BC. We started with an obligatory stop at the Gray Creek Store at the West end on Kootenay Lake.
  • The ride up from the West was a continuous climb from the lake at 540 M (1770 ft) to the summit at 2012 M (6600 ft). That's a climb of about 1460 M (4800 ft) in around 18 km (11 mi). While steep, the road was in good condition and the riding was easy.
  • From the summit looking West the way we came. Our luck is holding on the weather front and we were staying ahead of the storm cell.
  • It appears the slope down the eastern side is going to be pretty steep as well.
  • Doug and John heading down the eastern slope of Gray Creek Pass.
  • It was a very pleasant ride down the hill. Easy riding with great scenery. It might have been a bit different had the storm caught up to us as there were a few sections that could have gotten pretty muddy.
  • Gray Creek Pass Road follows Baker Creek Down the Eastern side.
  • I waited above a switchback as John and Doug rode down to a crossing of Baker Creek.
  • Doug and Wayne at the Bridge over Baker Creek. (Photo by J.G.)
  • Gumby takes a moment to appreciate our surroundings. This road doesn't usually open until July 1st due to heavy snow accumulation. I suspect the slope behind is subject to some good snow slides.
  • The road joins Redding Creek FSR and crosses Redding Creek several times as we continue in an Easterly direction towards Kimberley.
  • We eventually crossed the St Mary's River and joined St Mary's FSR.
  • We passed through the town of Kimberley and made our way to Hahas Lake Recreation Site . It looked to be full up, but as were riding back through the camp a group flagged us down and told us they would be leaving shortly so we could have their site. We thanked them profusely and hurried to get set up before the following storm caught up with us.
  • No sooner did we get the tents and tarp up and the skies opened up. Torrential rain, thunder and lightning all around us for about two hours. I have no photos as my camera was in the tent and I was under the tarp. It would stay that way until the rain quit. Fortunately our tents were on good drainage and everything inside stayed good and dry.
  • The calm after the storm. Hahas Lake is a very small lake with a nice rec site with about 14 units that are mainly used by locals going fishing.
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