Start: Alpine Meadows. Whistler, B.C.
Finish: Naxwit Picnic Area. Lillooet, B.C.
Route: HWY #99, Duffy Lake Road
Distance: 123.01km
Elevation Gain: 1,697m
Time: 6hr 8min
Objective completed by fair means without the use of a vehicle to and from a starting location. Food carried and water filtration (pump) onboard.
Notables: Heading N on HWY #99 from Whistler to Pemberton is primarily downhill and smooth sailing with only 1 noteworthy climb atop which there is no shoulder for a few hundred meters. Bumpy sections are short-lived and the roads’ surface condition is generally good.
The meadows N of Pemberton are flat until Lillooet Lake. Ensure you make a R hand turn in Mt. Currie towards Lillooet. There is a Chevron gas station at this intersection which has just opened and is your last resource until Lillooet.
At Lillooet Lake the road will lose both paved shoulders and climb unrelentingly for over 1000 m. Steepest through the first five switchbacks it will ease in grade but is a true test and a dangerous road to be respected.
This is a mountain road frequented by rental RV’s, bikers, and locals. A mixed bag with a broad range of speeds and sizes in a challenging environment. The potential for incident is there and the frequency of fatality should be considered.
Mountain scenery is unmatched and plenty of running water throughout to refresh or fill bottles. I bring a pump for filtration but plenty do not filter.
Managing speed while descending is wise throughout but especially descending from Cayoosh Point after your last notable climb. There is one switchback in particular which is tight after a high speed descent where excessive speed could be costly. More tight switchbacks follow so be mindful.
Sept 7: Thunderstorms in the forecast so rain-gear onboard and feeling great about the fenders I don’t bother to take off.
Green lake was calm and glassy leaving whistler with plenty stand-up paddle-boarders enjoying the conditions.
Too early for sunglasses; mine were hanging on my collar when I crouched foreword on the first descent and watched them drop into my rear wheel and explode. This is the second pair I’ve done this to and indication I’m doing it wrong.
One mile lake was also glass with a yoga session happening on the dock.
Water top-up in Pemberton but noticed 2 cars fueling at the now open Chevron gas station in Mt. Currie so this is now another option.
Bummed at all the recyclables in a fire pit under the bridge at the Birkenhead river. Still a great spot for a rest before a long climb.
Pulled over at 838m to take a picture of a quality fill/refresh option. This was my only rest on the climb which is a great post-op improvement. (pictured above)
At 1279m you crest the Duffy just past Joffre Lakes parking lot with 69 km to go until Lillooet.
Spoke with Park Rangers at the sand shed reg recent rockfall activity on Joffre and they reported a dust cloud the day prior (Sept 6th). They were very intent on informing me reg closures pertaining to this dangerously unstable zone. There is irony considering I was the person to report the second massive rock-slide intent on influencing said closure. Nice to later see an empty Cerise Creek parking lot indicating public is also respecting closure.
The drainage from this zone had recovered and cleared of silt but was now murky again. As a result I held off pumping water trying to preserve my filter and paid for it with some cramping awaiting the next clean option.
Stopped to refresh, drink LOTS, and top off bottles at a fabulous roadside creek beside Duffy Lake.
Caught myself smiling on numerous occasions enjoying descending in such beautiful terrain.
Stopped to rest/eat/pump again just before Rogers Creek Campground. Some industrious soul made a fabulous water catch which I happily employed. It started raining here but after eating and drinking the wind was in my sails and I saddled up.
Went too fast for comfort descending in the canyon and did not like how much I had to turn the bike over cornering in the wet. Happy to have treaded rubber for such occasion but I know better than to ride like a cowboy.
Rain stopped before the final climb to Cayoosh Pt.(696m) Grades were mellower and views more fantastic than anticipated.
Managed speed well through switchbacks descending to the valley bottom intent on tightening the reigns.
Waited for Gen after 1st 1 lane bridge at Nixwat Picnic Area watching the salmon run and waiting out the now thunder/lightning storm. Happy to have held off using rain gear during 1st shower and now employed fresh gear awaiting pick-up.
Keep stoking the fire.
Stoking the fire 