Revelstoke's Martha Creek and MacPherson Trails Networks - Part 2

Martha Creek

Martha Creek aka Sale Mountain is another classic Revelstoke alpine descent that we keep coming back to ride. We previously rode the trail in 2007, 2008 and 2011. The trail ends at Martha Creek Provincial Campground, 17km’s north of Revelstoke on Hwy 23. You access it from Sale Mt. FSR which accesses a snowmobiling area in the winter. At the top of this 16km road is a Microwave station, so the road is relatively well maintained. This drops you into an 8.5km, 1600m descent. Unfortunately the popularity of this trail is beginning to show and some sections are getting quite worn. It's best ridden on a bike with at least a good front tire, as there are quite a few loose, chundery sections. Martha/Sale is still a good ride in Revy that you can do in 2 hours, less then three for the return shuttle. It also ends at a lake which is good fortune for those hot, hot days.

Since we were there for Bikefest Revelstoke, Matt Yaki from Wandering Wheels was offering complimentary shuttles on Martha. Thanks Matt! If you're in Revy and are looking for a shuttle, guide or instruction check out Wandering Wheels!

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Matt packing the bikes on his very skookum rack, two other people joined us.


Classic Martha alpine shots.

The bridges get pretty beat during the snow melt and when the creeks run high in the spring. This was recently fixed.

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MacPherson trails

We became enamoured by the Mt MacPherson area in 2007 when it was ridden by a fraction of the people who now ride and consequently it was more duffy and raw. Since then it has become busier, more maintained and like most places that become popular had to be reworked to deal with increased traffic. It's still a fun place to ride, but the more popular trails are above Highway 23 are more maintained and consequently tend to have more of a generic sustainable feel, although you can still find tech xc gems (Root Canal, the remnants of Super Happy Fun left behind after the clearcut and parts of Tantrum in particular).

The trails below Highway 23 are less ridden and tend to retain their original rooty, rocky character and will probably be in a handful in the wet. In the dry conditions that we rode those trails (particularly Foreplay and Sex on the Beach) it was a blast.

You can buy an Iphone App of the area, or download a .jpg map HERE.

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The Revelstoke Cycling Association (RCA) does a tremendous job as the area is mapped and well signed.

With clearcutting comes views of Mt MacKenzie and Cartier across the Columbia.

This trailhead to Super Happy Fun used to be in the trees. (Left picture from 2007, Right from 2013)

Cool Helicopter rotor contraption at the top of Flowdown, their machine built IMBA style trail that would be great for beginner riders.

This trail merged with Sex on the Beach which is by the lake.

Trails below the highway still have some techy sections!



Much more information is here Mt. Macpherson on Trailforks.com

Where to eat - River City Pub and Restaurant

We had dinner at the River City Pub in the Regent Hotel. Good Nachos and food! Nice and cool inside if you wanted to escape heat but a beautiful patio outside if you desire.


Thanks for enjoying Revelstoke with us, now it's your turn to book a holiday and enjoy all these great trails too.

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