Douglas Lake to Pennask to 97C

GivenToRide

GivenToRide

New member
Hey,

I was wondering if anybody can confirm whether there is an open route from Douglas Lake via Pennask Lake through to the 97c (Sunset Main?). I am trying to plan a Mid-September trip and would love to be able to make this link in the chain work. Our bikes are Versys so the route would have to be decent FSR level of roads (nothing very hairy)

Thanks
 
DeathDuck69

DeathDuck69

New member
I’ve been up there 3x this year. Pennask FSR off of Hwy 5A at Quilchena goes all the way thru past the pvt pennask lodge turnoff. Gets u on to Bear Creek Main FSR at about 16km marker. Then u can go south to where it crosses under 97C and turns in to Sunset main, back on to the hwy. Super easy on a fully loaded mx.
Your other option if you want to avoid the pvt pennask lodge area, is to keep going east on Mellin FSR to the turn off to the old Jackson Lake Forestry site. The turn off is three very large rocks piled on each other by some guy having way too much fun with a large piece of machinery. You go by the site and continue up the hill, turn left at a dip and go over the short ascent to a spur road that hooks up to Hatheume FSR and drive right by the road to pvt cabins at Hatheume and then the Forestry camp site, which is a great spot to camp. You then keep going and hook up Bear Creek Main FSR, hang a right until it goes under 97C and turns in to Sunset main FSR. I took my unloaded Africa Twin thru there twice this year, no issues. Its a little rougher past Jackson Lake, but very doable.
I have no clue on the route from Douglas Lake south. I haven’t been on there this year……
 
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Rustic

Rustic

DSBC President / BCORMA Director
Staff member
at Sunset you can also go towards Heafwaters and Opsrey or even more fun up McDonald/Brenda Creek to the Brenda Mines road and the load of double track there we are keeping clear around Wilson Lakes and Peachland Creek
 
DeathDuck69

DeathDuck69

New member
As Rustic said, the riding up Headwaters and Brenda Lake is amazing. Road was closed at Sunset though the past two months due to big fire they had in the Brenda Lake area…..Haven’t been up there since first week of July to see if the road has been re opened.
 
Rustic

Rustic

DSBC President / BCORMA Director
Staff member
Brenda Lakes gst from Sunset to Brenda Main is no open, watch for patrols. The road was graded for all the fire traffic so less fun now but a good link to avoid 97c and hit some good double and single track. Check Trail forks for the double track loop we keep open up there
 
GivenToRide

GivenToRide

New member
Hey Everyone,

I was slow to see these responses. Thanks so much. Love all the awesome ideas and assistance this forum provides
 
O

offworlder

Moderator
This looks to be the missing link for our Adventure Bike Gathering pilgrimage (previously took Douglas Lake Rd, which is closed due to fire) - anyone care to share a track? Thanks!
 
O

offworlder

Moderator
Would appreciate thoughts on the following with consideration towards both fun trails and time (looking to arrive in Vernon by din-dins or so):
- from Merritt, Douglas Lake Rd, right/South at Quilchena to Pennask Lake road.
- then either Pennask to or Pattinson Lake rd and down to 97C (to cross to Kelowna, then up to Vernon).
- or continue East on Pennask past Pennask Lake, and then to Bear Lake Main, staying on Bear Lake Main until Westside rd and then cross over?

Thanks.
 
Rustic

Rustic

DSBC President / BCORMA Director
Staff member
Here at the junction 50.03225, -120.37978 you may see increased or changed signage because DLR won the last round of "Who owns the lake" but there is nobody to stop you and gates are normally opened (but also easy to open if closed, please close them again because of range control).

Also here 50.01772, -120.21894 and along the road to Penask you may see Penask Lake Road private but again these guys dont care if you are respectful

Have fun!
 
GivenToRide

GivenToRide

New member
Got back from the trip yesterday.

Was able to take our pair of Versys 300x bikes from Jellicoe up Headwaters/Trout Creek to Sunset then under the 97c to Bear Creek (Hydro Line) to Pennask through to Douglas Lake. Roads were generally great. There was some rain on Friday night that created a few sloppy/muddy sections on the Bear Creek (Hydro Line) portion which added a bit the 'adventure' part of the ride. Saw a few black bears which was nice.

Thanks again for all the assistance.
 
04klr

04klr

Well-known member
glad your trip went well, i was thru there on sunday and monday and had a great ride. I was on the 990 (the one with the well travelled panniers) on the ferry from nanaimo to the mainland.
 
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