Kelowna high rim trail

Anyone ride it? I'll be camping with the family at Ellison and looking for at least one big day ride (+5 hour range) any other suggestions?

There's actually some good trails at Ellison. Also Kal Park has some great loops (climb up to Big Ed) if you want a 5 hr ride. A lot closer than West Kelowna.

Do you mean McDougall Rim trail?

If so, I rode it once with Smoke [HTML_REMOVED] Barb one fall many years ago.

http://bushpilotbiking.com/more-xc-epics/1250/

There are more ride reports on this trail on his site.

Anyone ride it? I'll be camping with the family at Ellison and looking for at least one big day ride (+5 hour range) any other suggestions?

I just did this same trip with the family a couple weeks ago. The riding at Kal Lake is a lot more interesting then what could be found at Ellision. The beware of "Rattlesnakes" in the area is an amusing difference compared to the usual "Cougars" and "Bears" in area signs.

I did 2 rides at Kal Lake. The first ride I hit most of the lower trails and had no problem finding trails that well exceeded my capabilities. (Fraidy Cat, 36DD). The second day, I ventured way up high rim trail trying to seek out the entrance to Big Ed. I ended up way back in the sticks on a bunch of logging roads, and in the end gave up. Looking on google maps, it looks possible to do if you make the right turns. There are no signs after you leave the park, and finding High Rim Trail after it crosses a couple logging road can be a challenge.

All that being said, 5 hours at Kal lake, and you will have time to hit almost all the trails, and some tired legs. :)

(For the haters - Strava link for my adventure up High Rim Trail http://www.strava.com/activities/70331282)

I've ridden portions but never the entire thing in one shot, but I wanna! Inquire with Johnny Smoke at bushpilot and you can find map info here.
Post some pics when you complete!!!

(For the haters - Strava link for my adventure up High Rim Trail http://www.strava.com/activities/70331282)

Great information, thanks!

I think you could have pushed yourself a little harder… 92 beats per minute? :nono:

High Rim Trail is not going to get you to Big Ed (that I know of). There is a gravel road (9km to trail) outside of Coldstream on highway 6 (towards Lumby) that will get you to Big Ed. I would hit up a local big shop as it's not the easiest to find.

Thanks for all the replies! Lots to think about… high rim doable in one day with out killing you?(I'm on holidays after all:)) 100 plus kms seems like a lot. Also can you actually ride all of it? Looks like big portions of it are hiking only. I may go back in september for a bikepacking trip maybe it would be better. Never really looked around Kelowna seems like a lot of options.

It says High Rim Trail is 55km….easy day for ya! Prob need a wife pick-up in Mission Creek.
"Looks like big portions of it are hiking only"…..don't you know already that hiking trails are the best riding trails?