Three valley gap to Mabel Lake

[tractor]

It looks to me like a person can get from just west of Three Valley Gap to the Mabel Lake Road that runs down the east side of Mabel Lake. Is that possible? Is any of it single track?

I was going to go from Revelstoke to Grand Forks on backroads etc during the first week of June, are there any elevations high enough to encounter snow at that time?

 

[Revelstoker]

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The Mabel Lake Road is very straightforward. It will be open June 1st for sure - most likely you'd be able to make it down right now with the lack of snow at low elevations this year. The shot below is from May Long Weekend two years ago - huge run-off on the Mabel Lake Road.

There is no single track to be had as this is a fairly well traveled road. Watch out for fast moving pick-ups towards the South end as there are some Provincial campsites in this area that seem to attract the party crowd.
As for getting down to Grand Forks; either the Kettle Valley FSR or cruising over to Edgewood and heading South are recommended.

Edgewood is nice as you can get some gas and a good burger there. We hit snow on the way South from there last May 15th, but once again I'd bet that it's going to be fine by mid April this year.

 

[tractor]

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So did you take loggingroads from Thre valley gap to Mabel Lake road or where did you leave hiway one to go south to Mabel Lake.

 

[Revelstoker]

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Very easy to find - coming from the East, 2km's past the Three Valley Gap Hotel, turn left (South) onto Mable Lake/3 Valley Gap FSR - can't miss it. Keep heading South on the main road and 95km's later you'll hit Hwy. 6. The last 25km's down to Hwy. 6 are on slab.
Since your handle is tractor - you may like this shot. It's a John Deere that you will see if you head down the Kettle Valley FSR - has been sitting there for a few years now.

 

[tractor]

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Oh yeah, looks like a mid 60's 3020 with synchro shift, 12 volt starter , and the tires look fairly current so they must still use it. I will keep an eye out for that. Thanks.

 

[thumpdumper]

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still a bit of snow on mabel fsr right now (well, last week). once it clears up, you have to watch for AB brain-donors with their RVs, but aside from the occasional puddle, the road is do-able on a ducati.


*** the turn-off onto mabel lake fsr is at the top of the westbound passing-lane/hill that is 2km west of the big hotel. Right at the top, turn south as soon as the barrier stops. Just stay on the main through the first couple kms of gravel pits.

After a couple dozen kms, on the powerlineright-of-way, kingfisher will head off to the west, stay east on mabel (just saying, because kingfisher often looks like a more established road).

At the bottom of the hill where Cobble FSR heads off there is a sandbar and swimming hole.

If you have the time and want something more challenging, instead of going hwy 6 to the kettle FSR, you can go into lumby, then east and south on creighton valley road for a few kms, up Harris Creek FSR and Home FSR, and that will spit you out onto Kettle River FSR (skip about 50kms of slab and get 60+ of dirt, still logging road, though)

Off to the backroad mapbooks with you (or PM me and i can send you a GPS file)

You are getting into the OK Valley region (west of Arrow) so those boys may have more up to date info

 

[tractor]

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Thanks much, I am still figuring out this Garmin 76csx brainbuster, thanks for the info!

 

[DualSport855]

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I did this ride last September, Revelstoke - Three Valley Gap - Mabel Lake - Lumby - Monashee Pass - Kettle Valley FSR south to Rock Creek. What a great ride.

It was so much fun I needed a new rear shock when I was done! :hb:

I had done some of it as a kid on a 10 speed bike, Castlegar to Castlegar via Nakusp Kettle Valley FSR - Rock Creek.
It sure was easier on the KLR 30 years later!

 

[mch]

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Looking at going to Mabel Lake campgroud camping May long and driving from calgary.

Anyone know if its possible to drive this road from 3 valley to the campground in a car?? without totaling it

or should i take the long way around to enderby and lumby??



thanks

 

[Revelstoker]

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I'd imagine that it would be okay in a car, but I really wouldn't want to do it. There is the odd pothole and rough section, but 50km's or so of that to get to the campground may seem like a lot longer. The picture above with all the water was from May Long Weekend two years ago - definitely wouldn't drive a car through that!
As a head's up; that campground on Mable Lake is a total party zone on the MLW - take lots of beer and watch out for deer on the way down South.

 

[250ccforme]

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Drove through in a pickup in the mid/late 70's.

Made it. Just. I was starting to think I was going to run out "road" when a Cat's markings gave me hope that I wouldn't have to backtrack to Three Valey Gap and be even later. I was supposed to have stayed on Hwy 1 on my way westbound to KamLoops. GF was NOT impressed (riding shotgun); luckily she didn't have one.

 

[cactusreid]

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. GF was NOT impressed (riding shotgun); luckily she didn't have one.]

did you trade that one in?

 

[250ccforme]

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Yes, didn't get much though. :hb:

 

[Revelstoker]

If you have the time and want something more challenging, instead of going hwy 6 to the kettle FSR, you can go into lumby, then east and south on creighton valley road for a few kms, up Harris Creek FSR and Home FSR, and that will spit you out onto Kettle River FSR (skip about 50kms of slab and get 60+ of dirt, still logging road, though)

Off to the backroad mapbooks with you (or PM me and i can send you a GPS file)

You are getting into the OK Valley region (west of Arrow) so those boys may have more up to date info

Still snow as of June 7th on the Harris/Home FSR - looks like it will be a few weeks until it's clear sailing. We made it to just under 6000' ASL before finally giving up and heading back down to the highway to get over to the Kettle FSR.