Big Bear and Sooper Trooper route

This route accesses some of the gnarliest trails in the York Creek trail network, including the traverse of Saddle Mountain via the Big Bear trails which climb, traverse and descend the rocky ridges on Saddle Mountain, 500 vertical metres above the Crowsnest valley.

Starting at the trailhead on the east side of the Green Mountain campground property in Coleman, it climbs a mixture of old mine roads, dirt road, singletrack, and double-track, through a cut block below the cliffs on the east side of Saddle Mountain which you will soon be on top of. The singletrack 150m past the cattleguard on York Creek Road is easy to miss.

The middle section of the Big Bear climb is the most difficult, with a narrow bench-cut trail on a steep side-slope and four tight switchbacks until it gains the southwest ridge. The rest of the ride to the top is easier going with many bare rock sections and spectacular mountain views.

Starting above treeline, the descending trail meanders through volcanic rock and slabs with small drops and steep, loose rock faces to ride down. At tree line it continues to be a steep, technical trail alternating from loam to rock. Next is a gully full of step-ups, hip-jumps, and berms, leading to Sooper Trooper, a flowy trail through loamy old forest with a few optional TTFs including gaps, jumps, and bridges.

The route returns to the starting point via the Community Trail beside the Crowsnest River.

This route is Unsanctioned, Ride at your own Risk!