more stats
1.1 miles
Distance
10 ft
Climb
-1,539 ft
Descent
00:44:03
Avg time
-1,529 ft
Altitude change
2,620 ft
Altitude min
4,149 ft
Altitude max
4,149 ft
Altitude start
2,620 ft
Altitude end
-27.542%
Grade
-60.339%
Grade max
10.331%
Grade min
196 ft
Distance climb
5,234 ft
Distance down
122 ft
Distance flat
00:44:03
Avg time

Upper Needle Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Thimble Mountain
    Grand Forks, British Columbia
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    5 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in E-Biking
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #131618 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #230733 in E-Biking
    • #376746 in Trail Running
    • #303169 in Hiking
  • Provincial Ranking
    #6,826 in Mountain Biking · British Columbia [+]
    • #8,566 in E-Biking
    • #14,126 in Trail Running
    • #12,538 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    DH, AM
  • Direction
    Both Directions[+]
    Popular Direction Shown
    • Both Directions for E-Biking
    • Both Directions for Trail Running
    • Both Directions for Hiking
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Face

Steep downhill along rock faces and sand/dirt.

Access Info

Trailhead coordinate: UTM 391356/ 5442938

Travel 16km up North Fork Rd. from Grand Forks, this is where the trail ends and there is parking by the junction. Continue up the west side of the valley and turn onto Brown Creek/Eholt road. Head up to the old rail grade and turn right onto Rathmullen FSR. Hang a hard left and go to the top of the mountain. Here you will intersect with the lookout loop on Thimble Mountain trail. Ride your bike to the lookout and as you look down into the valley you will see Needle shoot off to the left.

Tags
Rock slabsViews
Local Trail Association

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 0 rides
  •  
All
  • 4 rides
  • Last: Sep 28, 2025
update trails status or condition

Upper Needle Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 20, 2025 @ 9:23am
May 20, 2025
Some extreme runners cleared all the downed trees. Trail running decent. A couple spots you need to stop and look for the flagging tape but 100%...
Sep 25, 2022 @ 7:50pm
Sep 25, 2022
Upper need is all clear and mostly raked! A couple grassy parts but the trail is easy to fallow. SEND IT
May 24, 2020 @ 9:14pm
May 24, 2020
reporter
Cleared ALL downed trees, raked trail in and added some flagging tape markers! Go ride!
May 19, 2019 @ 8:47pm
May 19, 2019
Many trees blown down , trail not rideable at this date
May 19, 2019 @ 8:47pm
May 19, 2019
Trail not rideable due to many trees blown down
more »
Status:
on May 20, 2025
Ideal
Avg: 4.13 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (19)
close
      Directions to upper-needle trailhead (49.133600, -118.482900)

      Photos

      11 more »
      mtb
      220 |
      Aug 22, 2018 @ 9:07am
      Aug 22, 2018
      mtb
      194 |
      Aug 22, 2018 @ 9:07am
      Aug 22, 2018
      report
      mtb
      173 |
      Sep 27, 2022 @ 8:50pm
      Sep 27, 2022
      report
      mtb
      155 |
      Sep 27, 2022 @ 8:50pm
      Sep 27, 2022

      Videos

      no videos have been added for Upper Needle yet, add a video.

      Routes with this trail

      30 miles • 3,962 ft • 16 • Point to Point •
      Route linking up trails to the tops of three mountains around Grand Forks. Start at thimble, Saddle in the...
      5.0 ★★★★★
      1 Ratings
      5 ★ 100%
      4 ★
      3 ★
      2 ★
      1 ★

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Upper Needle located?
      Upper Needle is located in Thimble Mountain, Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Thimble Mountain trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 49.1336, -118.4829.
      ▼ How hard is Upper Needle?
      Upper Needle is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 27.542%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Upper Needle?
      Upper Needle has 10 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 1,539 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,620 ft to 4,149 ft.
      ▼ Is Upper Needle a point to point trail?
      Upper Needle is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Upper Needle?
      Upper Needle is 1.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Upper Needle?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Upper Needle. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ How do I access Upper Needle? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Upper Needle are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Upper Needle?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 26 minutes to ride Upper Needle. The trail is 1.1 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Upper Needle?
      Upper Needle is a less popular trail with lighter traffic. There have been 19 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 19 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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