Welcome
Aboard.
Welcome to the Lost Elephant.
The genesis of the Kootenay Gravel Grinder was to create an opportunity for friends to go on a big backcountry adventure ride in memory of a fallen comrade. Since 2015 the start list has grown and some accomplished riders have tested their legs on it, but the vibe remains that of a friendly escapade. After a couple of editions, the name was changed because “gravel” didn’t do justice to the rock covered and rutted double track trails that crested ridge tops and descended creek beds. The legend of Cranbrook Ed and the silliness of searching for an escaped circus elephant in the local backcountry seemed like an appropriate rebranding.
Over the years we have tried to maintain the spirit of adventure riding that informed the first edition by bringing forward new routes. The ability to use different roads, visit remote valleys and cross a seemingly endless number of steep and rugged mountain passes speaks to the sheer volume of backcountry cycling opportunities available in the East Kootenay. Suffering through those sections where the road steepens and disappears under the rocks and the alder always generates memorable moments in a ride, and they have become one of the endearing traits of the Lost Elephant. These locations also seem like the best place for a chance encounter with Ed.
What’s in store for 2025?
Jumbo: Will the 2025 route be tougher than the 2024 route? Yes. Will the 2025 route be tamer than the 2024 route? Yes. Toughness and tameness are in the eye of brake lever holder. The route is starting off with a cruise down Chief Isadore before entering a 20 km long 1,400m climb that takes you to Cranbrook's premier downhill trail, make sure your tires are ready for it. If you've done the 2024 edition, you will recognize some of the beauty that lays in the next sections. If you called it quits in Moyie last year then fear not, you will get to see the parts of the route you missed. We will be returning to the crowd favourite Connell Ridge and Gilnockie Valley. After crossing the mighty Kootenay we will make our way to the main resupply option in Jaffray (330 km). Make sure you don't buy any smelly treats because the next section gets deep and remote and your closest neighbours will be all the friendly grizzlies and your soaking wet feet. Creek crossings, grinding climbs, remote fishing holes, long lost tracks and brake burning descents here we come. Then the sweet hum of tarmac and smooth gravel will take you back to your fresh supply of diaper ointment and icy drinks awaiting you at the finish line.
Dumbo: Pack your snacks because there ain't no tuck shops on this route. All of the riders from both routes will start of together on the Chief Isadore trail but the Dum-dums will get to avoid summitting Mt Baker, they will take the low road and rejoin the Jumbo route to be a part of the big crowd that will circumnavigate Cranbrook Mountain. We heard all of your complaints from last year that the Jumboists got all the fun. So we have thrown the entirety of the 2024 Jumbo's southern loop at you, you'll get to go as close to the US border as possible without getting shot and then climb up and over the pass above Cherry Lake. A new and sneaky route over to Wardner awaits you before the cruisy finish on the full Chief Isadore Trail.
The genesis of the Kootenay Gravel Grinder was to create an opportunity for friends to go on a big backcountry adventure ride in memory of a fallen comrade. Since 2015 the start list has grown and some accomplished riders have tested their legs on it, but the vibe remains that of a friendly escapade. After a couple of editions, the name was changed because “gravel” didn’t do justice to the rock covered and rutted double track trails that crested ridge tops and descended creek beds. The legend of Cranbrook Ed and the silliness of searching for an escaped circus elephant in the local backcountry seemed like an appropriate rebranding.
Over the years we have tried to maintain the spirit of adventure riding that informed the first edition by bringing forward new routes. The ability to use different roads, visit remote valleys and cross a seemingly endless number of steep and rugged mountain passes speaks to the sheer volume of backcountry cycling opportunities available in the East Kootenay. Suffering through those sections where the road steepens and disappears under the rocks and the alder always generates memorable moments in a ride, and they have become one of the endearing traits of the Lost Elephant. These locations also seem like the best place for a chance encounter with Ed.
What’s in store for 2025?
Jumbo: Will the 2025 route be tougher than the 2024 route? Yes. Will the 2025 route be tamer than the 2024 route? Yes. Toughness and tameness are in the eye of brake lever holder. The route is starting off with a cruise down Chief Isadore before entering a 20 km long 1,400m climb that takes you to Cranbrook's premier downhill trail, make sure your tires are ready for it. If you've done the 2024 edition, you will recognize some of the beauty that lays in the next sections. If you called it quits in Moyie last year then fear not, you will get to see the parts of the route you missed. We will be returning to the crowd favourite Connell Ridge and Gilnockie Valley. After crossing the mighty Kootenay we will make our way to the main resupply option in Jaffray (330 km). Make sure you don't buy any smelly treats because the next section gets deep and remote and your closest neighbours will be all the friendly grizzlies and your soaking wet feet. Creek crossings, grinding climbs, remote fishing holes, long lost tracks and brake burning descents here we come. Then the sweet hum of tarmac and smooth gravel will take you back to your fresh supply of diaper ointment and icy drinks awaiting you at the finish line.
Dumbo: Pack your snacks because there ain't no tuck shops on this route. All of the riders from both routes will start of together on the Chief Isadore trail but the Dum-dums will get to avoid summitting Mt Baker, they will take the low road and rejoin the Jumbo route to be a part of the big crowd that will circumnavigate Cranbrook Mountain. We heard all of your complaints from last year that the Jumboists got all the fun. So we have thrown the entirety of the 2024 Jumbo's southern loop at you, you'll get to go as close to the US border as possible without getting shot and then climb up and over the pass above Cherry Lake. A new and sneaky route over to Wardner awaits you before the cruisy finish on the full Chief Isadore Trail.
JUMBO.
Length 515 km
Total ascent 10,748 m High point 2,203 m % singletrack 10% % paved trail/road 7% % gravel roads/doubletrack 83% Days 2-5 Difficulty (1-10) 8 |
Dumbo.
Length 299 km
Total ascent 5,675 m High point 1,878 m % singletrack 12% % paved trail/road 1% % gravel roads/doubletrack 87% Days 1-3 Difficulty (1-10) 5 |
Routes of yesteryear.
Please note that these routes may be out of date, so make sure you double check that they don't go anywhere that you are currently not allowed to ride your bike. Don't be a jerk, ride only where you are allowed.
2024 2023 2021/2022 2020 2019 2018 2017
2024 2023 2021/2022 2020 2019 2018 2017
- Jumbo You are not allowed to ride a bike over Brewer Pass, so don't ride this.
- No Dumbos back in the olden days
- Jumbo
- No Dumbos back in the olden days
These fine organizations believe in us:
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