The Whipsaw Trail

The Whipsaw is one of BC's most iconic off road trails, and for good reason. With its alpine views, crystal clear lakes, and numerous trail obstacles, the Whipsaw is an off roader's paradise.

Photo by @cruiseroftheland

Route Overview

Trip Length & Season

Adventure Rating:  Epic Trip Length:  63 miles, 2-3 days Season:   June - Early October, but always check on trail conditions near the start or end of the season (snow). To avoid mosquitoes, August and September are the best months. Locals have been known to take on the trail during the winter months, but only experienced winter overlanders should attempt this (expect a lot of snow).

Digital Maps & GPX Files

Download Digital Mapping Files

• Whipsaw Trail w/ POIs (subscribers)

• Whipsaw Trail track only (free)

If you need help working with digital mapping and GPX files, please check out our FAQ section.

Technical Ratings & Terrain

Avg Technical Rating: 3

Peak Technical Rating: 5

Typical Terrain: The Whipsaw is perhaps BC's most famous Jeep trail. And while it may not be as technical as northern California's Rubicon trail, there are plenty of rock gardens, slabs, mud pits, creek crossings and other obstacles to keep you busy along the way. The hardest obstacles typically have go arounds.

Recommended Vehicle / Moto / Adventure Vans

Recommended Vehicle: High clearance 4x4

Recommended Moto: Given that this track is filled with quite a bit of rocks/boulders, we recommend a dual sport bike.

Adventure Vans: Sprinter 4x4s are not recommended on this track.

Fuel, Provisions, and Recommended Gear

Fuel: Given the short length of this track, you shouldn't need to refuel. Provisions: n/a Gear: Bring appropriate recovery gear (winch, shovel, traction boards, etc)

Alternative Routes

n/a

Camping Recommendations

Some of our favorite places to camp along the Whipsaw (and there are many!), include KVR Camp, Wells Lake, Iron Mountain and Skaist Mountain. Dispersed camping is also permitted along the trail.

Discovery Points

• DP1 - Kettle Valley Rail Trail

• DP2 - Tulameen River Bridge

• DP3 - Coalmont

• DP4 - Granite Creek Ghost town

• DP5 - Blakeburn

• DP6 - Lodestone Lake

• DP7 - Lodestone Mountain

• DP8 - HBC Heritage Trail

• DP9 - Falcon Hill (Obstacle)

• DP10 - Wells Lake

• DP11 - Wells Lake Shelter

• DP12 - Memorial Rock (optional obstacle)

• DP13 - Granite Mountain

• DP14 - Dick Holdings Cabin

• DP15 - Skaist Mountain

• DP16 - Corral Creek Barn & Cabins

Land Managers & Other Resources

• BC Recreation Sites & Trails

Permits & Papers

n/a

Adventure Badge OTG has partnered with All Roads Taken to offer an adventure badge for this route. >> Buy your adventure badge today!

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Route Details

The iconic Whipsaw Trail has a bit of everything, making it a favorite among off-road enthusiasts, hard-core wheelers, and overlanders alike. Located in southern British Columbia, the Whipsaw is roughly a 4-5 hour drive from both Vancouver and Seattle. In 2007, it became the first Canadian trail listed on BF Goodrich's Outstanding Trails program, and for good reason. Set in the lush Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, the track offers a perfect combination of alpine views, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and water crossings. Combined with the numerous trail obstacles along the route, visitors are guaranteed a memorable experience.

The route can be done in either direction, but locals suggest traveling clockwise from the south to Coalmont for a more challenging experience. Most obstacles have bypasses, often with multiple options ranging from easy to extreme. Due to the numerous trail braids and options, it can be difficult to follow the "main route," so using a GPS app or hardware is recommended. In winter, small groups of hard-core locals tackle the trail in deep snow, but only experienced winter off-roaders should attempt this. Most people take on the Whipsaw during the warmer summer months once the snow has receded. The later summer months are recommended, as mosquitoes can be suffocating in early summer. Additionally, early summer tends to have more mud bogs and pits due to increased snowmelt and runoff.

The Hudson Bay Company was the first European-based industrial entity to establish trails in the region. The Whipsaw incorporates some of these trails and intersects with the HBC Heritage Trail (DP8) about midway through. While the Hudson Bay Company originally forged trails for the fur trade, precious minerals and metals were later discovered, leading to numerous mining operations. The Whipsaw features a number of old homesteads, mining operations, and ghost towns along the route. Although most of these mining operations ceased decades ago, some large industrial mines continue to operate, including the massive Copper Mountain strip mine on the east side of Highway 3.

Most travelers complete the Whipsaw in 2-3 days. You might wonder why it takes 3 days to travel just over 60 miles. Even without the dozens of obstacles along the route, the alpine vistas alone can slow the pace of travel. Once you leave the graded forest service roads at the beginning of the track, the trail is seldom level, with your tires constantly undulating over the evolving terrain. Many obstacles challenge drivers to push their skills and their vehicles' limits. The Whipsaw is an off-roader's playground, and some obstacles may require multiple attempts. Notable obstacles include Memorial Rock (DP12), Falcon Hill (DP9), and various water crossings and mud pits. While the Whipsaw can be hard on vehicles, those who take it slow and choose the easy bypasses shouldn't have much to worry about. But if you want to push your limits, the Whipsaw has you covered! Just remember to tread lightly and stay on developed roads and trails.

One could easily spend more than 3 days on the Whipsaw, especially if you spend hours tackling its various obstacles, but most complete the trail in 2 days. Regardless of the direction traveled, Wells Lake (DP10) is the unofficial halfway marker and a popular camping spot due to its picturesque alpine setting. Those who wish to complement their off-road travels with hiking will be pleased to find numerous trails, like the HBC Heritage Trail, easily accessible from the Whipsaw. Most hiking trails are on the western side of the route and head west toward the Tulameen River. The best views along the route can be found at higher elevation sections, especially at locations like Skaist Mountain (DP15), Granite Mountain (DP13), and Lodestone Mountain (DP7).

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