After a delicious dinner with the family, I found myself sound asleep with earplugs firmly inserted to ensure the Canadians having a wonderful camping experience beside us became nice and quiet. I was promptly up and on the trail by 6 am after some sound sleep, which was needed since today was going to be a long ride with a nice climb right out of the chute.

The first hour of today’s ride was negotiating Elk Pass, the first Continental Divide crossing on the route. The climbing with some hike-a-bike in a couple short 20% grade areas really got my heart beating as I worked my way up the Hydroline Trail.

Once I started the nice descent from the pass, I would find myself on the Elk River Road and Elk Valley Trail for a large portion of the day. This trail offered some magnificent views, a cute little cabin for those in need of shelter and my first grizzly bear sighting. The grizzly bear was a beautiful light brown, almost blonde, and it was in a rush to cross the gravel road. It was about 200 meters in front of me when it made the rapid road crossing, which makes it a perfect crossing for the both of us.

The day was just not challenging enough apparently and I was properly introduced to the Koko Claims area to ensure I had a solid effort today. Koko Claims starts off with a hike-a-bike up and up followed by a single track known as Mountain Walk Trail that should just about certify me as a mountain biker.

I eventually made it to Elkford and had my first supermarket visit of the trip where I was only in the mood for two Gatorades as the Nutella and peanut butter tortillas Erin prepared for me again today were working their magic. Adventure Cycling Association updated the maps a couple months ago leaving Elkford due to poor trail conditions, which put me on a road climbing up to a lookout site for a couple miles and then into some more single track magic. I had a chance to verify that Sulfur Springs is properly named as it smelt just glorious, like a bed of roses.

I did eventually make it to Sparwood and let War Dog post up beside the Terex 33-19 “Titan” where he looked like a gnat landing on a tire. This was the only one of this model made and it was the world’s largest, highest capacity haul truck for 25 years. Welcome to Sparwood!