Galena

New Denver, British Columbia, Canada

The Galena is a wide, shady trail and an easy ride in either direction. It’s built on an old rail bed and kept in great condition by the local riding association. When riding the trail you’ll notice old rail ties being used as small stunts alongside of the trail. The Galena is a fun trail that flows in either direction and is frequently used by hikers and families; on and off the bikes. Please ride under control and give way when appropriate.

The highlight of the Galena is the cable car that crosses Carpenter Creek. It only takes one bike at a time so there’s lots of opportunity to photograph the cable car with the remains of the Alamo Siding cascading down the hill in the background. The only steep sections on the trail are on either side of the creek. The western side isn’t as challenging as the eastern, where the pitch is steeper and longer. There is also a section closer to New Denver where the trail wraps around a cliff, and while the trail is wide, it’s good to be careful when riding with children. The trail forks near a bridge about 2.6km from New Denver. The lower fork runs closer to the creek and it twists, turns and wraps onto itself; so make sure you’re keep heading in the right direction. The lower trail is very steep where it comes down the hill from the main trail. If you’re ascending, you’ll have to carry your bike up the hill, and if you’re descending keep the speed under control. The upper trail maintains the same easy grade right down to the western trailhead in New Denver.

bikepirate rating:

Trail Stats

Distance: 7.1km
Time: 45 min – 1.5 hrs
Elevation Gain: 579 m
Elevation Loss: 386 m
Min Elevation: 643 m
Max Elevation: 952 m
Technical Rating: Intermediate
Physical Rating: Moderate
Season: April - October
Permit Required: No

Trail Location

Trailhead:
West access: The trailhead is located in New Denver on Denver Siding Road just off Highway 31A next to the works yard. A large sign marks the trailhead.

East access: The trailhead is located on the western side of Sandon Road when heading to Sandon, at the Three Forks just off 31A. A large sign marks the trailhead.

GPS:
N49 59.748 W117 21.601 (East TH)
N50 00.644 W117 16.865 (West TH)
N49 59.686 W117 20.334 (Fork)

Downloads

GPS Map (GPX): click here
Google Earth: click here
North Slocan Trails Society (no website)
Trail Report: click here

Google Earth trail view only works if you have the program; download it here (free)

Trail information

Part of the main trail was washed out last winter and has been repaired by the North Slocan Trails Society’s team of volunteers. While the ride around is great, there is a big hole where the trail used to be. There is flagging tape marking the hole, but be careful if you’re riding at dusk. The stats for the trail listed above, only include the main trail ridden west to east and not the fork option described above which is 2.6 km in length.

Trail options

This trail links up to the H-Road which you can take up to the Idaho Peak road, and Old Sandon Road is just a few metres up the H-Road and can be ridden as a loop back to New Denver. The Alamo branches off the Galena just east of the cable car crossing at Carpenter Creek.

 
  • Mike

    Galena trail is now open to Three Forks



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