Welcome
Aboard.
Welcome to the Lost Elephant - the 10th Anniversary Edition!
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. Over the past 9 editions of the event 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 new 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 2024?
Except for Gray Creek pass, the southern Purcell Mountains generally don’t get the attention or have the same reputation as the Rockies. They are a little smaller and a little less dramatic perhaps. However, every time we have gone searching for elephants west of the Kootenay River we have encountered some steep and challenging hunting grounds. As a result, we have loaded the 10th anniversary edition with many potential "memorable moments.” So get ready for a mountainous adventure as we do a thorough sweep of the remote and lonely ridge tops of the southern Purcell Mountains in our interminable search for the elusive pachyderm.
The 2024 Jumbo will be the shortest but also the hilliest edition yet. Same for the Dumbo as it follows the Jumbo route for 248km before taking a shortcut over to the Chief Isadore Trail and back to Cranbrook. There will be singletrack, there will be alder and there will be rock gardens too. Enjoy!
P.S. Bring lots of food because there really are no resupply options on either route.
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. Over the past 9 editions of the event 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 new 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 2024?
Except for Gray Creek pass, the southern Purcell Mountains generally don’t get the attention or have the same reputation as the Rockies. They are a little smaller and a little less dramatic perhaps. However, every time we have gone searching for elephants west of the Kootenay River we have encountered some steep and challenging hunting grounds. As a result, we have loaded the 10th anniversary edition with many potential "memorable moments.” So get ready for a mountainous adventure as we do a thorough sweep of the remote and lonely ridge tops of the southern Purcell Mountains in our interminable search for the elusive pachyderm.
The 2024 Jumbo will be the shortest but also the hilliest edition yet. Same for the Dumbo as it follows the Jumbo route for 248km before taking a shortcut over to the Chief Isadore Trail and back to Cranbrook. There will be singletrack, there will be alder and there will be rock gardens too. Enjoy!
P.S. Bring lots of food because there really are no resupply options on either route.
JUMBO.
Length 480 km
Total ascent 10,485 m High point 2,202 m % singletrack 4% % paved trail/road 8% % gravel roads/doubletrack 88% Days 2-5 Difficulty (1-10) 8 |
Dumbo.
Length 310 km
Total ascent 7,115 m High point 2,202 m % singletrack 6% % paved trail/road 12% % gravel roads/doubletrack 82% Days 1-3 Difficulty (1-10) 6 |
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.
2023 2021/2022 2020 2019 2018 2017
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|