While Lewis and Clark take much of the credit for the exploration of North America’s western frontier, it was Alexander MacKenzie who did it first in 1793. His journey through Canada concluded with a trek from the Fraser River in present-day Quesnel, British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean at Bella Coola. The MacKenzie Trail is the most famous of Canada’s “Grease Trails ,” the routes that First Nations groups travelled from the ocean to the interior to trade valuable fish oil.
This trail is now a popular route for experienced hikers and off-roaders to explore a section of nature that has remained untouched by human development.
Planning Your Ride on the MacKenzie Trail The route begins 40 miles northwest of Quesnel , near a bend in the Fraser River. From there, the MacKenzie Trail extends for 260 miles through the lakes and forests of British Columbia’s coastal mountains before passing through Tweedsmuir Provincial Park to the Pacific Ocean. The road is relatively wide in most places, as it’s also used as an ATV and jeep trail. But the lack of trail maintenance can lead to deadfall blocking the way, and rainstorms can leave it almost impassable with mud. Be ready for anything for here. The map above is a map of the hiking trail. Get a ridable version off the guys at Gravel Travel Canada
Safety You’ll be crossing some remote backcountry with unpredictable weather and road conditions. There is no cell phone service, making a satellite phone the only possible means of communication. Be prepared to fix any problems that happen with your bike, because there’s no way to tow it out of here.
Fuel There is no fuel between Quesnal and Bella Coola , so make sure you carry a jerry can large enough for the 260-mile trip.
Food and Accommodations From beginning to end, you will be all on your own during this ride. Camping is the only option, and the unpredictable weather means it’s no walk in the park. You’ll need to be ready for heavy rains and variable temperatures. Black bears frequent the area, so bring your bear spray.
You’ll need to carry your camping gear and all your food with you, which is why many motorcyclists who ride this route do so with a support vehicle. If you do choose to do it without support, it’s possible to arrange a food drop halfway through the route utilizing a floatplane, but this may not be worth it for a small group that just needs a couple more days worth of food.
Sights All 260 miles is a sight to see, as the route is dotted with stunningly clear lakes and picturesque mountains. It’s a wilderness like no other, and there will be plenty of opportunities for wildlife sightings.
Bella Coola, British Columbia – Photo Credit: Christopher Michel / CC BY Quesnel, British Columbia – Photo Credit: Larry LaRose / CC BY Black Bear on the MacKenzie Trail – Photo Credit: Alan D. Wilson / CC BY Featured image is of an abandoned cabin near Bella Coola, British Columbia – Photo Credit: Andrea Schafthuizen
