2.7 miles
Distance
108 ft
Climb
-1,571 ft
Descent
00:34:23
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Lord of the Squirrels Trail
  • National Trails Coalition
    Sponsor
  • Resort Municipality of Whistler
    Sponsor
  • American Friends of Whistler
    Sponsor

Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Westside - Sproatt
    Whistler, British Columbia
  • AKA
    LOTS, Sproatt Descent
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (10 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Season
    Summer
  • Alpine Trail
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Bridge, Ladder Bridge, Rock Face, Rock Garden, Skinny
  • Global Ranking
    #228 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #3192 in Trail Running
    • #17756 in Hiking
  • Year Opened
    2014

There have been sightings of a grizzly bear, specifically around the cabin and 3-way junction of Into the Mystic, With a Twist, and On the Rocks. Trail users are reminded to be aware, be prepared, and there are no dogs allowed on the trail network. Be bear aware by never hiking or biking alone; respecting any trail closures; being alert to bear signs (scat, prints, tree markings); and carrying bear spray (and knowing how to use it in the event of an encounter).

Trail Rating – Blue
Exertion Rating – Black
Exposure Rating – Black
Time - 3-8+hrs return from valley

DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED on the Mount Sproatt and Rainbow Mountain Alpine Trail Network to minimize potential conflict with wildlife.

E BIKES ARE NOT PERMITTED on these trails (i.e. anything above Flank: Lord of the Squirrels, Into the Mystic, With a Twist, On the Rocks, Happy Hour, Pot of Gold, LESS & Don't Look Back). The reason for this is to support environmental considerations, user safety and grizzly bear management in the alpine.

WARNING - While the Sproatt alpine network is comprised of blue rated trails, the effort and exertion required to successfully and safely complete the loop rides definitely lands on the more difficult side of the spectrum. Sproatt may seem close to civilization, but this ride is a true backcountry experience and needs to be treated with the respect it deserves. Riders should treat this endeavour as any other remote ride and come well prepared for any and all eventualities. In addition to the effort required to get to the start of Into the Mystic, the shortest return loop on Into the Mystic, On The Rocks, Lord of the Squirrels specifically is ~20km of distance plus ~1400m of climbing in a high alpine, exposed environment. PLEASE TAKE TIME FOR SERIOUS CONSIDERATION OF YOUR FITNESS AND SKILL TO COMPLETE THIS RIDE.

Riders and groups should be prepared with sufficient water, food, spare parts for repairs and a well stocked first aid kit including a head lamp. A spare jersey and/or gloves and jacket should also be a part of your kit for fast changing alpine weather which can find you locked into fog and rain very quickly.

Riders must ride accordingly and well within their limits as this is a remote area with limited access for rescue. Ride with a trusted group, take your time not chances, this will ensure you make it back to the bottom in one piece.

Lord of the Squirrels is WORCA's showpiece trail constructed over 3 years from 2014-2016. This trail features great viewpoints of the Whistler Valley and beyond as it winds it's way down through the alpine and into the Westside's mossy old growth forest above the Flank trail. This trail features open sections in the alpine, some rock slab features, and the occasional ladder bridge.

It's critical that users respect this unique alpine environment while using this trail and always remain on trail. Freeriding off-trail in the alpine is not acceptable. This alpine trail network is non-motorized and was built for users reaching the top under their own power, motorized use or helicopter access is not appropriate. Please avoid use of the alpine areas in periods of extended rain or early/late season when the trail may not have time to dry out. Help us preserve this incredible new asset by respecting the trail, closures, other users, and the amazing alpine environment.

Timid riders be warned: WET conditions ramp up the technical difficulty of this trail more so than lower elevation trails.
Similar technical intermediate "test rides" in the valley are:
Full Zappa route in lost lake (specifically descending Pinocchio's furniture, Toads of the Short Forest and The Grand Wazoo)
Whipped Cream > Green Jello > A Cut Above on the west side
Funshine Rolly Drops > Blueseum > Devils Club in the Whistler bike park

Access Info

LOTS begins high in the alpine at the end of On the Rocks, and takes approximately 2-3 hours to reach from the start of Into the Mystic for an average rider. Access to Into the Mystic is recommended by one of the following 3 routes;
Function Junction - https://www.trailforks.com/route/into-the-mystic-function-access/
Creekside - https://www.trailforks.com/route/into-the-mystic-creekside-access/
Rainbow Park - https://www.trailforks.com/route/into-the-mystic-rainbow-park-access/

Disclaimer

This is a Backcountry trail, please be prepared for changing weather, conditions and mechanical failures. NO E-BIKES, NO DOGS IN THE ALPINE.

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Lord of the Squirrels mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,463 ft
  • Altitude min
    4,086 ft
  • Altitude max
    5,567 ft
  • Altitude start
    5,548 ft
  • Altitude end
    4,085 ft
  • Grade
    -10.3%
  • Grade max
    -57.7%
  • Grade min
    20.6%
  • Distance climb
    1,959 ft
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    938 ft
  • Avg time
    00:34:23
  • Avg reverse time
    03:02:07
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Oct 23, 2022
Dry
Avg: 4.7 (104 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (1,062)
close
3D
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
Trail Last Ridden
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
  • < 2 days
  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
  • most popular
  • popular
  • less popular
  • not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches

Radar Time
x Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public ridelogs from the past 6 months.
  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
  • Snowmobile
Winter Trails
Warning A routing network for winter maps does not exist. Selecting trails using the winter trails layer has been disabled.
x Missing Trails
Most Popular
Least Popular
Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where riders jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
Trails Deemphasized
Trails are shown in grey.
disable
Only show trails with NO bikes.
enable

Save the current map location and zoom level as your default home location whenever this page is loaded.

Save
      Directions to lord-of-the-squirrels trailhead (50.121320, -123.045910)
      update trails status or condition

      Lord of the... Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Oct 23, 2022 @ 7:15pm
      Oct 23, 2022
      Lord of the Squirrels is closed for the season! Happy alpine biking next year
      Oct 12, 2022 @ 8:19am
      Oct 12, 2022
      reporter Worca trail crew is building bridges at 1600m this week
      Oct 5, 2022 @ 3:58am
      Oct 5, 2022
      Oct 3, 2022 @ 9:45am
      Oct 3, 2022
      Perfect weather, trails in good condition. No signs of bears on the upper trails. Usual bugs up top but awesome day, very few people out...
      Sep 26, 2022 @ 12:51pm
      Sep 26, 2022
      reporter There have been sightings of a grizzly bear, specifically around the cabin and 3-way junction of Into the Mystic, With a Twist, and On the Rocks....
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 0 rides
      •  
      All
      • 5,737 rides
      • Last: Aug 28, 2022

      Photos

      more »
      3,723 |
      Feb 15, 2019 @ 5:25pm
      Feb 15, 2019
      3,184 |
      Jan 20, 2018 @ 9:05pm
      Jan 20, 2018
      1,579 |
      Dec 23, 2017 @ 12:41am
      Dec 23, 2017
      1,308 |
      Oct 25, 2017 @ 10:26am
      Oct 25, 2017

      Trail Lists

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Lord of the Squirrels Loop (Function)17 miles
      Mystic Squirrels (Sproatt Alpine)15 miles
      Lord of the Squirrels (Easier Route)14 miles
      Lord's Loop12 miles

      Trail Products

      54 Reviews & Comments


      We hope you've been enjoying Trailforks!

      Create a FREE account to view trail comments and much more.

      Videos

      more »
      youtuber DO NOT DO THIS RIDE... (Whistler Triple Crown)
      17:11 | 1708 | Aug 14, 2019 , Whistler
      youtuber Lord of the Squirrels (2020) | Mount Sproatt,...
      23:32 | 1723 | Aug 9, 2020 , Whistler
      youtuber You've gotta ride this... Mountain Biking in...
      11:49 | 945 | Sep 8, 2019 , Whistler
      youtuber Can I Hang with a Hungover EWS Pro on Lord of...
      8:00 | 1484 | Oct 12, 2018 , Whistler
      • subscribe
      • flag
      • login to download gpx or kml files.