SUMMARY

The Kootenay-Miller Pass is an 80km overnighter that takes you into the heart of the East Kootenays & requires serious determination to complete the loop. It starts & finishes at Nipika Mountain Resort.

The route ‘as described’ is accurate with one exception. The turnoff at 18km to the Cross R FSR ends up with a stream crossing at 22km. Instead, continue towards the Baymag mine, cross the bridge & take the next right.

The road to Millar Pass is a bit of a grind but the views are outstanding. Once at the ‘summit’ of Millar Pass, look for a scruffy quad track (31km) to the right, this is the start of the descent to the Albert R FSR. The next 6 km will test your navigation skills & your ability to ‘bike & hike’ through numerous challenges.

Sections of the trail are flagged, sections of the trail resemble a game trail (at best), the stream/washout crossings will have you wondering ‘WTF’ & the downed trees will have you vexed to the max. But if walking under a canopy of Alders & following a trail seldom visited piques your interest, then giver. The ‘Ride with GPS’ route will deliver you to civilization. Seriously, you need a level head & a good navigation skill set to get through this section. The trail is overgrown AF.

Once on the Albert R FSR (I did get off my bike & kiss the road… the bushwack was over) it’s about 12km to the Palliser Albert Jct Rec Site & one of the prettiest campsites around.

Day 2 is pretty mellow by comparison. A quick climb from the campground to the Kootenay R FSR has you on a steady descent to the Kootenay Palliser FSR which drops you off at Nipika Resort after 28kms of pleasurable gravel roads.