Rocky Mountain high
This five-day, 450-kilometre ATV ride was a prelude to the 2009 jamboree.
Couldn’t get much higher: The riders head to Cross River. — Photo by Ed Jaatteenmaki
Gordon Vogell of Cranbrook organized and guided the ride through the Rockies as a prelude to the ATV/BC Jamboree in Elkford. The following seven riders took part: Gordon Vogell and David Hoover of Cranbrook, Ed Jaatteenmaki of Revelstoke, Lisa and Steve Bowell of Nanaimo (and their yellow Lab Shelby), Dale Steedman of Edgewater and Brent Wilson of Invermere. The ride started on August 15th at the south end of the Bull River forest service road (FSR) riding north to Cross River and then south to Fort Steele. h3. Day One: 126 kilometres We all gathered at the start of the trail, leaving our quads, and then drove our vehicles to Gordon’s friend’s place at Fort Steele. Then Gordon’s wife drove us back to our quads. We started up the Bull River FSR in a rain shower, stopping for a photo-op at Bull River Falls. Lunch was at Quinn Creek rec site and then up the Quinn Creek FSR, down the Blackfoot Creek FSR to the North White River FSR, then east on this road to camp No. 1 at the junction of the North and East White Rivers. Our mascot, Shelby the yellow Lab, was everyone’s friend and we all enjoyed having her on the ride. The rain started again and I had a miserable night with a leaky air mattress and water seeping in under my tent. h3. Day Two: 84 kilometres We rode north to the end of North White River FSR and then over Palliser Pass on a one-kilometre, challenging ATV trail to the Palliser River FSR. Lunch was at the Gorge where the Palliser River water falls into a 10- to 12- foot wide by 100-foot deep gorge. A must-see sight! After lunch we headed down the Palliser then up the Albert River FSR to the start of another ATV trail to Miller Pass. This trail had a difficult spot at a slip-out where we had to winch some of the quads through. Further up the trail I almost put the RZR on its side in a deep off-camber ditch—it was a little scary for a few seconds! Camp No. 2 was set up on a wide part of the trail in Miller Pass, with an elevation of 5,200 feet. Our tents were all in a row and it looked like a Chinese railway camp. That night I set up a tarp to sleep under instead of the tent. My camp was the first one in the line and I kept my loaded rifle beside me because we were in grizzly country. h3. Day Three: 83 kilometres We rode north on the ATV trail and an FSR to Cross River FSR. There is a gypsum mine just off the Cross River FSR and there are many big trucks hauling the gypsum on this road to Settlers Road and then to somewhere via Highway 93. We had lunch at a natural bridge over Cross River. The river at this location also flows through a very narrow and deep gorge—another must-see sight. After lunch we continued down the Cross to the Kootenay River FSR and on to camp No. 3 overlooking the Kootenay River and mountains beyond. A beautiful campsite at 3,100 feet elevation. Six brave riders went for a swim in the cool Kootenay River! After the swim we had a lovely community dinner—because at this site we had a table to sit at! A nice sunny day with some dust on the Cross River haul road. h3. Day Four: 88 kilometres Under sunny skies we headed south on the White River FSR to Whiteswan FSR then west to our lunch stop at the west end of Whiteswan Lake. Our lunch was cut short when an efficient parks lady told us to leave—no stopping in the park with ATVs. Seven drivers headed west on Whiteswan, then south on old FSRs along Lussier River to Ram Creek hot pool. The camp spot for the pool was taken so we had to double back to another spot. After setting up camp we all rushed up to the hot pool to soak off four days of road dust! h3. Day Five: 67 kilometres Today we woke up to another sunny day. Gordon, Steve and Lisa went for a morning dip in the hot pool. After breaking camp we drove east along Roam Creek where we encountered some water on the road caused by a beaver dam. Past the dam we drove up the Lussier River FSR then up the Nicol Creek old road and up to Wild Horse Pass, the highest point of the ride at 6,345 feet. We enjoyed lunch in the pass, which was a very scenic spot. The ride down from the pass was on more of an ATV trail—until we arrived at the top end of Wild Horse River FSR. At East Wild Horse River we crossed over to an old road on the east side of Wild Horse Road. This road took us on the east side of Lone Peak with the ride officially ending where the FSR joined onto the paved Wardner-Fort Steele Road. Gordy did a great job of guiding us on a great ride. We all enjoyed the trip and want to do another one with Gordy. Some of the highlights were: the evening campfires, the gorges on the Palliser and Cross Rivers, the never-ending scenery, the mountain passes and the Ram Creek hot pool. The group was a great bunch to ride with. We had lots of laughs and were constantly joking around. Dale summed it all up at the last campfire when he said, “I never had so much fun sitting around a campfire in the bush.”
British Columbia key contacts
Cranbrook, BCFinding the right ride for you
All Seasons Motor Sports Ltd. is located in Cranbrook, B.C. We base our success on our commitment to customer service, personal attention and in our opinion, the best product lineups in the business! We carry Arctic Cat, Kawasaki and Suzuki, so whether you are looking for a snowmobile, ATV, a side-by-side or motorcycle, let our experienced staff assist you in finding the right ride for you. We offer a great selection of parts, accessories and clothing. Here you will also receive quality service for all makes and models of small engines; even generators, weed whackers, lawnmowers and snowblowers. Having a team that's passionate about motor sports makes coming into All Seasons Motor Sports all the more welcoming, we look forward to meeting you.
All Season's Motor Sports Ltd.www.allseasonsmotorsports.ca-
Aldergrove, BCQuality products from Can-Am, Ski-Doo and Sea-Doo
At Ski and Trail Powersports Ltd., we specialize in sales, parts and service of all BRP recreational products. Whether you are looking for Ski-Doo, SeaDoo, Can-Am ATVs or the Commander side-by-side, we have it! We stock a huge selection of accessories, parts, helmets and riding gear for all ages. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find what you need. Visit our website to see sales promotions, used inventory, unit specs or compare units, online shopping and much more.
Ski & Trail Powersportswww.skiandtrail.com 
Northern BCYour home away from home
When you plan your outdoor recreation adventure, let the Pomeroy Inn & Suites be your home away from home. Our hotels are designed with your comfort in mind. We offer oversized suites with full kitchens, family bunk bed rooms and executive king rooms. Did we also mention that all of our hotels are 100% pet friendly? Every room features Hypnos sleep system beds, free high speed internet, mini fridge, microwave and more. Our continental breakfast features guest favorites such as make-your-own Belgian waffles complete with a topping station, fruit, yogurt, bagels, pastries, juice, coffee and more. When you return from the trails you can indulge in our pool, waterslide and hot tub.
Rural Discovery Destination Marketing Fundwww.pomeroyinnandsuites.com
Sicamous, BCA friendly atmosphere awaits
Nestled between the Eagle River and the TransCanada Highway, in Sicamous, British Columbia, a friendly atmosphere awaits you. You can enjoy a meal off the menu at our cozy fully licensed restaurant or choose one of the three daily specials that we provide. If you arrive by motorcycle you can park in our corral and clean the windshield at the complimentary bug wash station. If you want to stay with us we can offer rides varying from two hours to two days with many motorcycle-friendly stops along the way. We like to think all roads lead to Joe's, where you can sit on the deck at the end of a ride and enjoy a pint of Mt. Begbie’s famous cream ale.
Joe Schmuck's Roadhousewww.joeschmucks.ca
Calgary, ABImproving your safety with Smart-Antenna technology
At Ortovox we consider safety our number one priority. We are known globally for high-quality mountain sports products for summer and winter, which meet the highest standards of quality, functionality and design and allow a safe mountain adventure. We offer top-of-the-line products, such as the new S1+ avalanche transceiver, which combines two unique transceiver innovations, and the 3+ transceiver, a three-antenna device with a special extra function to first enhance your own safety. The intelligent position recognition system analyzes the position of the antennas and automatically switches to the optimal transmitting antenna. There is no longer any such thing as the 'worst position.'
Ortovox Canada Ltd.www.ortovox.com
Cranbrook, BCYour four-season headquarters to enjoy all outdoor activities
Voted by Trip Advisor as "Top 10 in the country for best value" for three years running, this new lodge is located at the west entrance to Cranbrook, overlooking the 250-acre Elizabeth Lake Lodge Bird Sanctuary. Every unit has a full kitchen with a real hardwood floor entrance. The rooms feature Windsor beds, flat-screen TVs and heated Italian tile in every bathroom. There is high-speed wireless and plug-in Internet, and lots of secure parking for longer units. An RV park and History of the Kootenays mini-golf course are also located on the premises.
Elizabeth Lake Lodgewww.elizabethlakelodge.com
A global company with a proven track record
Camoplast Solideal is a world leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of off-road tires, rubber tracks, undercarriage systems, wheels, body dressing parts, under-the-hood plastic components and assemblies, molded skis, engine covers, thermal and air induction systems. As a strategic supplier to leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), we deliver our products directly to their assembly lines. We use the full power of our experience, engineering expertise, innovation skills, support and best-in-class manufacturing capabilities to deliver high-performance products of unrivalled quality and value. On the strength of a global team of close to 8,000 dedicated experts, we operate advanced research and development centres, manufacturing plants in Canada, the USA, Europe and Asia, and distribution facilities on all continents.
Camoplastwww.camoplastsolideal.com
Revelstoke, BCInvest in Revelstoke: Now in development, opening winter 2011/2012
Mountain Springs Lodges and Resort sits at the base of Boulder Mountain, with convenient access to the mountain's western trail access. Just six minutes from downtown Revelstoke overlooking Revelstoke Mountain Resort and the majestic Selkirk and Monashee Mountains, comfortable cabin lodging is a meeting place for snowmobilers in the winter months and sightseers and hikers in the summer months. The resort will include hot pools, snowmobile maintenance areas, walking and biking trails and central reservations. Invest in Mountain Springs and enjoy affordable ownership and rental pool revenues. Investment opportunities exist in development, management or purchase ownership. Call for information or make your winter 2011/12 bookings at 250-837-4420.
Canada West RV Park - Black Tie Propertieswww.canadawestrevelstoke.com-
Calgary, AB
Go over the top!
What better way to spend those bleak winter days than by riding in the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies? Over the Top Rentals offers new 2012 Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo and Polaris mountain sleds. Thrill-seekers will enjoy our Yamaha Nytro Turbo. Over the Top Rentals is in a great location in south Calgary, just five minutes off Deer Foot Trail. We offer to shuttle sleds to the Crowsnest Pass and B.C. for weekend rentals, and we also rent avalanche beacons. For more information on our company, including the tour options available, visit our website www.overthetoprentals.com.
Over The Top Rentals 
100 Mile HouseThe latest and best in powersports products
At Performance All Terrain & Ren. Ltd., our mission is to offer you the latest in parts and products, at the best prices, and with unparalleled service. Offering a great selection of high quality construction equipment and recreational unit rentals is just part of the package. We also sell parts and accessories, and service all the lines we carry, such as Can-am, Ski-Doo, Honda, and KTM - and even the ones we don't. We pledge our best efforts to make your experience both beneficial and enjoyable. Once you give us a try, we’re sure you'll be back for more!
Performance All Terrainwww.performanceallterrain.com-
Surrey and Chilliwack, BCA top choice for powersports machines, service and gear
Greater Vancouver Powersports (GVP), the largest Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) dealer in the lower mainland with locations in Surrey (Port Kells) and Chilliwack, B.C., is committed to providing best in class sales and service to customers. Our growth is fueled by the continuous innovation delivered in BRP products we carry, including Can-Am ATVs, Ski-Doo snowmobiles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Sea-Doo sport boats, and the Spyder Roadsters (exclusive to Greater Vancouver Powersports). We offer the widest selection of units, parts, accessories and technical riding gear. Most of all, our knowledgeable staff will help you customize your ride to suit your needs.
Greater Vancouver Powersportswww.gvps.ca -
Broadway Williams Lake
Getting you out there on a Polaris!
We know that you have high expectations, and as a dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those expectations - every time.
Spectra Powersports Ltd.www.spectrapowersports.com -
British Columbia
We're here to help you get where you need to go.
At B & F Sales & Service Ltd., we stand behind the products we sell and the service provided by our factory-trained technicians.
B & F Sales & Service Ltd.www.bandfsales.com -
British Columbia
Offering a great selection of new and pre-owned snowmobiles and ATVs.
At Ghostrider Motorsports, we sell the best models of all your favourite recreational machines - including Arctic Cat and Yamaha snowmobiles, Arctic Cat ATVs, and Honda and Yamaha motorcycles to name a few.
Ghostrider Motorsportswww.ghostridermotorsports.ca -
British Columbia
Our expertise will meet all your motorsports needs
In addition to our vast lineup of new and pre-owned machines, we also have the experience and expertise you need for motorsports repairs and service.
BP Motorsportswww.bpmotorsports.ca -
British Columbia
Your recreation specialists
Browse our site to view our custom-built machines, check out our hot sellers in the winter and summer lineups, or schedule your next service visit.
Neid Enterprises Ltd.www.neidenterprises.com -
Alberta
Proudly serving the Westlock area with top Arctic Cat models
See our latest Arctic Cat machines, and enjoy our top-notch customer service.
CC Cyclecccycle@cccycle.ca -
British Columbia
We provide recreational vehicles for all types of riders
Whether you are looking for an ATV, snowmobile, side by side, dirt bike, or motorcycle, we have options for you! Check out our latest models from Yamaha, and be amazed at the selection and service we offer.
Mountain Motorsportswww.mountainmotorsports.ca -
British Columbia
Service is our specialty
At Northern Services Yamaha, we carry all different types of snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles, side-by-sides and other recreational machines to suit your needs.
Northern Services Yamahawww.norser.ca -
British Columbia
Making tracks in the powersports industry
Main Jet's team has a long history in the power sports and equipment industries. We have been involved in everything from the motorcycle racing circuit, to snowmobiling the backcountry of the Kootenays, to building leading edge mod sleds. We also take family outings on ATVs and side-by-sides and have a solid understanding of the needs of land owners and forestry workers. All of this gives us an expertise in serving you better. The oldest dealership in the area, Main Jet is proud to carry the very best in Arctic Cat, Honda, Polaris and KTM machines.
Main Jet Motorsports Inc.www.manjet.ca -
British Columbia
The foremost supplier of sport machines in Kamloops
Choose from a wide selection of Kawasaki Street and motocross bikes, ATVs, two-seater side-by-side ATVs, jetskis for water fun, Arctic Cat snowmobiles and Triton trailers so you can transport all these great toys to wherever you go.
Leading Edge Motorsportswww.leadingedgeonline.ca