SOMBRIO Stage 4: Crowsnest Pass, AB - York Creek

Dates:  July 16, 2023

The Location:

Crowsnest Pass, located in southwestern Alberta, is a beautiful area steeped in history and known for its stunning mountain scenery. The region has long been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of recreational activities including hiking, fishing, skiing, and mountain biking.

Mountain biking also has a long history in Crowsnest Pass, with the first trails appearing in the 1980s. Over the years, the local community has worked hard to create a network of trails that caters to riders of all levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. Today, the area is home to some of the best mountain biking in western Canada, with a wide variety of terrain, stunning views, and challenging technical sections.

The original TransRockies Challenge made stops in Crowsnest Pass from 2002-2004, as well as in 2013. In 2019 the TransRockies Classic returned to the area, but 2023 will be the first time that Singletrack 6 is hosted there. Despite its rugged reputation, Crowsnest Pass is also a welcoming and friendly community that takes pride in its natural beauty and outdoor heritage. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time rider, there's something for everyone in this stunning part of western Canada.

The Stage:

Welcome to Stage 4 of the 2023 Singletrack 6 mountain bike race! This stage takes place in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, and it promises to be an exciting day of racing. The stage starts and finishes at the Pass Powderkeg Ski Area, with a controlled pace descent into town before heading over to the Crowsnest Community Trail Bike Path, which will take riders over to Coleman to start the day. 

The first major climb of the day starts on a gravel road connecting to singletrack with the Sweet Duanage and Front Door trails, followed by a descent on the Back Door trail back to York Creek Road. From here, the major climb of the day begins, with 600m of climbing to the Ironstone lookout. This climb winds through beautiful scenery, with forests and meadows, and a series of switchbacks that will challenge riders. 

After reaching the Ironstone lookout, it’s time for a long section of singletrack descending first on the Rumhead trail, which offers a fun and moderate difficulty descent, before being interrupted by a short road climb which brings riders to the York with a Fork descent. Both of these trails offer greatviews and exciting riding experiences that are sure to thrill riders. 

From here, it’s back on the connector to Pass Powderkeg, with a final climb up Buck 50, and then a final descent on Electric Monkey, a flowy machine-built descent that offers riders a chance to let loose and enjoy some fast-paced fun. 

This stage covers a total of 35.5km, but with 7km of flat riding on a paved surface, it will go fairly quickly, aside from that one monster climb up to the lookout! Riders should be prepared for a challenging and rewarding day of racing, with plenty of technical terrain to test their skills and endurance. 

Overall, Stage 4 promises to be an exciting day of racing in the beautiful surroundings of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. As riders cross the finish line at Pass Powderkeg, they can look back on two amazing days of racing, filled with unforgettable experiences and challenging trails that will stay with them for years to come. 

Distance: 36.3 km

Elevation Gain: 1,200 m

Timed Descent: 158m descent over 1.9 km - Electric Monkey

Aid/CP: 13.9 km, 27.6 km

Map:

View on Ride with GPS.

All Routes Subject to Change.

*Elevation data may be highly variable by device or mapping platform, as different software may use various data sources and calculation methods. Our total elevation gain for the stage is a middle estimate based on readings from multiple devices.