Video: Jesse Melamed Breaks Down Squamish's Steepest Trail

Nov 5, 2020 at 11:04
by Jesse Melamed  

Some of you may want to contest my claim that 19th Hole is the steepest trail in Squamish, but hear me out. I am not talking about rock slabs or one-off moves. 19th Hole is relentless in its pursuit of delivering steep, holed out sections of trail. It is very easy to pick up speed and very hard to scrub it off, and for me, that is a dangerous combination. I like to go fast, get myself into trouble and try to hold on. It has not worked out well for me in the past on this trail so I finally decided to do something about it.

This breakdown goes over how I look at a section to find the safest, most fun route down. There are always pockets of traction to find and bank off of, corners to be opened up, and holes to be avoided. Once you have it all dialled it makes a trail that much more enjoyable! Check out the full run below.







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Member since Dec 5, 2007
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56 Comments
  • 20 0
 @JesseMelamed once again showing me that I am not nearly as talented of a rider as I think I am! always a pleasure watching your clips!
  • 37 0
 I'm sorry to bring that realization upon you..
  • 20 0
 Watch Friday Fails tomorrow...you'll feel better about your own riding.
  • 3 2
 Ride as much as he does. You'll get him.
  • 1 0
 @JesseMelamed: Canadian apologizing. That's new.
  • 10 0
 @JesseMelamed love it! Definitely need to walk that one to figure it out. Rob Cocquyt (gravity logic) and friends built that trail 20 odd years ago. He told me they kept finding golf balls while they built it hence the name. Presumably ppl practicing their drive from the heli pad / parking lot above!
  • 8 0
 That's cool to hear! I thought it was maybe because of the golf ball sized rocks that keep coming out of the bed rock. It's not nice under the dirt up there.
  • 3 0
 @JesseMelamed: I thought it was because of all the holes!
  • 9 0
 Good on whoever built that trail. That thing is gnarly. And taking it at that speed while just chatting is insane
  • 9 0
 I can't imagine how good it was when it was freshly built, it's seen a lot of years since then!
  • 5 0
 It’s just up the street from my house it’s good to know that such an amazing rider still gets freaked out like me on that trail. And the break down was super helpful in a Squamish classic. Well done loved it.
  • 5 2
 So this really hits home for me, I really feel a lot of "Fast Guys" are just kinda falling down the trail, not really in control but surviving . I really think being in control and actually riding the line that you "Want to Ride" is way sweeter.
  • 3 0
 I was about to contest it's steepness, but then you convinced me! Keep the vids coming, Jesse!! Also, how's the Slayer vs the Altitude for regular fun Squamish riding?
  • 1 0
 haha I'm glad to hear. I prefer the Altitude as it fits in on more of the trails. I normally pedal and do like some of the more xc trails so the Altitude is more suited for that.
  • 1 0
 Some are arguing whether it’s the steepest or not @JesseMelamed but it looked plenty steep enough for me...
Great vid and how you manage to keep talking all the way down is beyond me, I’m usually concentrating so hard on getting down stuff, I forget about describing what I’m riding.
  • 2 0
 like the description said, it is relentless. I visited squamish and we lapped this to access the stuff lower down and it is mentally fatiguing if you don't ride that kind of stuff often. IMBA does not approve of this trail
  • 2 0
 It took a little extra focus to keep the talking going, but having all the lines in my head helped with that.
  • 4 0
 I'm moving to Squamish! Best trails and close to the WBP.
  • 9 0
 That's why I'm here!
  • 2 0
 @jaydawg69 better bring millions of dollars
  • 2 0
 @pdxkid: cheaper than San Fran
  • 3 0
 @pdxkid: but its a million Canadian dollars, so its practically free.

jk...I got married up in Canada and my wife always said that when mentioning how much anything cost so I always feel compelled to jokingly say it. I can assure you, even with the exchange rate, its not free.
  • 5 1
 And remember kids: Don't. Smoke. Crack.
  • 28 1
 pro tip #420
  • 3 0
 “Inside line like Sam Hill” that’ll be my go-to mantra from now on! Sweet trail breakdown as always @JesseMelamed !
  • 1 0
 I often try to be like him but it doesn't always work out..
  • 2 0
 Jesse Is so good he always answer to every comment and he ride the best imho.
  • 1 0
 Only the good ones! Thanks!
  • 1 0
 Yep rode that trail in the late 90's a few times. Doesn't look familiar at all. Thanks for the tour.
  • 1 0
 I have ridden that trail a few times shuttling....on a DH bike. Damn @JesseMelamed , well done sir! Shred on! \m/
  • 2 2
 Oh man... Remember when BP took his novice-level girlfriend down it? I guess she technically got P-Nut's for a warm up, but that doesn't really cut out much.
  • 1 0
 @mtbikemccoy: hahah Yes!! I am sure he was a happy camper that day. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 watch the video of henry fitzgerald on it. ROWDY
  • 1 0
 Thank you! You as well!
  • 2 0
 This is what ADHD feels like lol
  • 1 0
 Line choice is key. It'd be cool to see some line VS line videos with other well rounded riders!
  • 1 0
 I've always thought 19th hole would be a great track for a DH race. Just relentless and gnarly out till the end!
  • 1 0
 Just needs a bit of clean up!
  • 1 0
 Steezie, you rock. What about the stump-jump at 6:20?
  • 1 0
 That trail looks SUPER SICK!!!
  • 2 0
 It's rad once you get to know it!
  • 1 0
 A Squamish trail I have yet to enjoy. Looks relentless!
  • 2 0
 Nice! Take it easy your first time!
  • 1 0
 @JesseMelamed: Will do. Cheers!
  • 5 6
 Great riding.....but definitely NOT CLOSE to Squamish's steepest trail. That would be Larvicide, and probably a few others before 19th.
  • 6 4
 try half nelsoM, not on the map..
  • 4 1
 Funny that you are getting 'neg repped' for that comment. If I could get my sorry ass down 19th back in 2008 (last time I rode it IIRC) without any dramas then it's not the steepest. Most shit kicked maybe? That or Entrails? I'm not even sure it's in the top 20 steepest trails around here? It's just the erosion that Jesse points out (who probably didn't have input into the headline) that creates the challenge. .
  • 1 0
 @wallheater: Only people neg-repping me are those that haven't actually ridden the trails in question. I totally agree with you on most sh8t-kicked..19th gets the full on DH traffic and pays the price.... It's just a bit silly to claim so big about the trail, instead of just focusing on the rider.
  • 1 0
 We're talking relentless here. Larvicide is about a -27% gradient and 19th is -33%. I'm sure there are others, but 19th feels like you're falling down the mountain for a while.
  • 1 0
 @JesseMelamed: Relentless for sure. But when it comes to sheer steepness, Larvicide takes it. Take out the flat lead-ups, and the actual downhill parts of the trail are near vertical in places. I can ride 19th..not hyper speed like in the video, but can ride it. Larvicide...not even close. I almost broke my leg last time I hiked it. Like I said at the start...focus should be on the rider, no need for the hyperbole on the trail claim when it is so clearly arguable.
  • 1 0
 i could definitely better brake down this trail then jesse...
  • 1 0
 This is great content!! I want to go riding now.
  • 1 0
 The "fun line" still looks relatively terrifying. Good times....
  • 1 1
 Would be nice to get comfortable riding steep trails, for sure?
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