The Martha Creek Trail Needs Your Help

May 13, 2015 at 12:00
by Matt Yaki  
The Martha Creek Makeover is a trail maintenance and fundraising project for the epic Martha Creek Trail in Revelstoke BC.

Martha Creek Trail images

Descending 5183 feet over 9km's from the summit of Sale Mountain to the shore of Lake Revelstoke, the Martha Creek Trail is a world class destination mountain bike ride! It is a unique trail, accessible via truck shuttle or 16km dirt road grind to the top! Established in August of 1991, this trail has been a classic Revelstoke ride for over 20 years!


Martha Creek Trail images

Recently, mountain biking in this area has seen significant growth and Revelstoke is a now considered a world class mountain bike destination! Our trails are becoming more and more popular and they are seeing more traffic than ever! Thankfully, the Revelstoke Cycling Association (RCA) does a great job of building and maintaining our main trail networks, however, the Martha Creek Trail is a provincial recreation trail which is beyond the scope of the RCA's partnership agreement with Rec. Sites and Trails BC. This puts limitations on the RCA's involvement in the management of work on this trail.

Robb Thompson Photo
Robb Thompson Photo

Due to the recent growth in Revelstoke's mountain biking scene combined with funding cuts and downsizing within the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the trail is seeing significant amounts of increased use and the province cannot keep up with the much needed trail maintenance.

There are currently several damaged, even dangerous bridge crossings, countless erosion problems and numerous drainage issues which need to be addressed in order to turn Martha Creek into a thriving and sustainable trail.

Martha Creek Trail images

Wandering Wheels is a Revelstoke based mountain bike guiding company which possesses a large commercial guiding tenure for many of the trails in the area. Owner, Matt Yaki, who also sits on the RCA's DH Commitee, is spearheading this project along with the Wandering Wheels team and several other passionate local mountain bikers.

RCA President Keith McNab says "We appreciate the initiative that they are taking to work directly with Rec. Sites and Trails BC to make the Martha Creek Makeover happen. The RCA is in full support of this project and looking forward to seeing it come to fruition!"

Martha Creek Trail images

Funds raised will go towards a professional trail crew who will perform the majority of the work on the trail. Organized volunteer efforts will also be in place so there will be plenty of opportunities for eager helpers to get their hands dirty. Your volunteer time will help to keep costs low!

We will be fixing all of the bridges and boardwalks, replacing many of them with stronger and more sustainable structures. We will be addressing all drainage and erosion issues and rerouting small portions of trail wherever necessary. The trail will maintain its original style and feel but there will inevitably be sections which are "buffed out." We aim to keep it steep, technical, rocky and rooty wherever possible; however, sections that are already fast and flowy will become even more fun with some good berms, buff trail and new small to medium sized jumps and drops built. Some, only some of the pedal bashing rocks through the top alpine section will be removed.

Rec. Sites and Trails BC will be providing all of the necessary lumber and materials for this project as well as group volunteer insurance and Glacier Helicopters has agreed to transport lumber and materials to the worksites for us!

Robb Thompson Photo
Robb Thompson Photo

Funding for this project is coming in from several different avenues such as:

A recently launched 30 day crowdfunding campaign on Fundrazr.com. You can find all the info and donate what you can to help our cause here.

A new and informative website at www.marthacreekmakeover.com which will be updated all summer long with news, events and work progress. Donations can also be made at this site throughout the season.

A strong corporate sponsorship drive is in place and several businesses are already in support of the project!

On trail signage, donation boxes and a plaque built into a new marquee bridge to thank all those involved.

Other fundraising events such as parties, auctions, group rides, poker rides and bottle drives throughout the season.

Last but certainly not least, Wandering Wheels and the Revelstoke Cycling Association will be hosting the Revelstoke Premier of Builder, A Scott Secco Film on Thursday June 11th at Revelstoke's Roxy Theatre.

Martha Creek Trail images

Here are a couple great videos showcasing the Martha Creek Trail:
Troy Brosnan
Jared Graves

Robb Thompson Photo
Robb Thompson Photo

Please consider helping our cause through personal donations or corporate sponsorship, by attending events and helping to spread the word!

Website: www.marthacreekmakeover.com
30 Day Crowdfunding Campaign
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/marthacreekmakeover

Read more in this report and audio interview from The Revelstoke Mountaineer.

If you would like to volunteer your time on the trail or if you would like more information about corporate sponsorship please email matt@wanderingwheels.ca.

Thanks to Steve Shannon and Robb Thompson for the photos! Thanks Ankhou Studio for the logo design!

Martha Creek Trail images


Author Info:
WanderingWheels avatar

Member since Mar 15, 2014
18 articles

8 Comments
  • 27 0
 Hey @SramMedia and @yeticycles , I hope you do the right thing and pony up some cash for this cause. The backdrops for your ads don't just build themselves!
  • 5 0
 Looks like Troy owes em at least one berm.
  • 4 0
 Hands down the best trail I have ever had the pleasure of putting tires on. I'll donate when I get home from work.
  • 1 0
 Thanks everyone. Local support through Corporate Sponsorship so far has been huge! Over $4000 in cash rasied as well as approx. $5000 worth of prizing! We're only at $900 so far with our crowdfunding campaign so if you've riden this trail or plan to ride it in the future, please consider donating what you can towards this worthy cause before June 10th at fundrazr.com/campaigns/byS6d/ab/44npff Thanks again!
  • 1 0
 I live about an hour from this trail I wanna help rebuild! totally getting on it!
  • 2 0
 Incredible trail. This is a very worthy cause. Donated.
  • 1 0
 Great seeing two Aussie lads in the promo videos!
  • 2 0
 Done and donated







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