FATMAP by Strava

Dear Santa

A Smith Creek classic which has some great northshore features.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
13 km
Ascent
521 m
Descent
521 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
659 m
High Point
1.1 km
Gradient
10˚
Dear Santa Map

Like most of the trails in Smith Creek, Dear Santa is fun, well maintained and continuously interesting without ever being "hard". The riding is excellent and involves several types of challenges - wooden features, some tighter bends and some short rock gardens - but the toughest obstacles are easily avoided.

Description

From the main Smith Creek parking lot Holy Pail Up Trail is well signposted. Jump on the trail and enjoy the scenic ascent up through the peaceful forests above West Kelowna. The view doesn't reveal itself much on the lower section of the climb but you're guaranteed a "wow" moment when you emerge at the Lookout Shortcut viewpoint, which provides a huge vista across West Kelowna, Mount Boucherie and Okanagan Lake.

Tear yourself away from the view and carry on climbing up to the top of the Smith Creek trail network, where there's a large flat area and a well-placed log to sit on and admire the view. (The end of the ascent marked here isn't technically the top of the trail network - you can carry on up a little further to access Motobomba and the top section of Soul Train - but not many folk carry on higher than the point shown here).

Begin the descent by heading down the clearly-signposted Kid Dyn-O-Myt Trail for a few corners, passing the start of "Travellin' Man" and then turning right onto Dear Santa, the start of which is marked by both a sign and a plastic Santa figure!

The upper section is reasonably technical and has some wonderful wooden sections, and then the lower part is much quicker and more flow-y. Screech back to the parking lot and go for another lap!

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate 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 October

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Drops
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area