FATMAP by Strava

7th Secret -> Leppard -> Crinkum Crankum -> Kirkford

A logical trail combination on the north side of Mount Fromme that's not nearly as steep as some of the other lines on the mountain.

Mountain Biking Severe

Distance
10 km
Ascent
464 m
Descent
464 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
335 m
High Point
772 m
Gradient
11˚
7th Secret -> Leppard -> Crinkum Crankum -> Kirkford Map

This loop is a logical combination of trails on the northern side of the Mount Fromme trail network. After pedaling up the access road, you'll begin by dropping in on 7th Secret and connecting to Leppard, Crinkum Crankum, and finally Kirkford, before returning to the parking area via Roadside Attraction. For a shorter loop option, you can drop straight into Leppard near the junction with Expresso, thereby skipping 7th Secret.

Description

If you go all the way up to 7th Secret, you'll be rewarded with one of the best trails on the North Shore! The first move is the most difficult on the trail, but it acts as a squirrel catcher to keep riders off who aren't up to the challenge. But after the first filter feature, 7th Secret is "a fast roller coaster down a well-armored trail, with all sorts of features coming at you—wooden ladders, rock drops, and log rolls," according to Nick Wareing. "It’s fast, with bermed corners and a bunch of mostly optional technical features," he continues.

Leppard begins as an intermediate trail with some up-and-down pedaling to get across the mountain. You'll soon reach some rocks and fun wood features on Leppard, but Crinkum Crankem is where the descent really picks up again! This black diamond downhill sports a fantastic series of wood rollers, chunky rock bits, some rock-armored turns, and a few steep, rock-armored chutes. You'll notice that there's one major line split in this trail, with an easier option and a more advanced option. If you have the gumption to take the advanced line, the features are truly spectacular without being overly death-defying.

It's obvious that the final section on Kirkford was once a super trenched-out, eroded trail that has since been rebuilt so that it doesn't continue eroding into the mountainside. For the revamp, the trail builders basically blocked the chute with a bunch of debris, but instead of decommissioning the trail, they built a series of super tight, steep, stacked switchbacks that crisscross the old wash. It's a very unusual trail adaptation, which some riders find quite enjoyable. Others might label the slow switchbacks as annoying and laborious. Either way, this is the natural finish to the route. After Kirkford, you'll pop out on Roadside Attraction for a fast coast back to the trailhead.

Overall, the steepness of the trail segments on this route is less than you'll find on most black diamond trails on the North Shore. This lower grade, combined with ample ride-around options, help make this route a bit more approachable for riders looking to hone their skills and move up to the truly challenging black and double black runs.

Difficulty

Severe

Widely variable, narrow trail tread with steeper grades and unavoidable obstacles of 15in/38cm tall or less. Obstacles may include unavoidable bridges 24in/61cm wide or less, large rocks, gravel, difficult root sections, and more. Ideal for advanced-level riders.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between April and November

Features

  • Technical
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Drops
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area