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Gray Creek Pass

motorcycle rider and motorbikes at summit of Gray Creek Pass

The climb to Gray Creek Pass is 5,000 ft of elevation gain in 16.5 km making it the highest dirt pass in Canada! The 6,850 foot high Gray Creek Pass runs between Kootenay Lake on the west and Kimberly to the east through the Kootenay range.

Surface:
Gravel expect a bit of paved closest to Kimberly.

Distance:
84km – 2,072m vert 

Access:
From the Community of Grey Creek or Kimberly.

Ride the highest dirt pass in Canada?

The pass runs between Kootenay Lake on the west and Kimberly to the east through the Kootenay range. While there are two other roads higher than Gray Creek Pass, Highwood and Bow, both are in Alberta and both paved.

Watch the Gray Creek Store website which maintains a blog and provides tidbits of information on the condition of the road. It may be possible during some years to make it through Gray Creek Pass, before it gets plowed open. But, I couldn’t imagine a more fun way of passing through with the challenge of patches of snow, or teamwork ultimately paying off.

motorcycle riders resting travelling on Kootenay Lake ferry
Destinations

Kootenay Lake Ferry

The Kootenay Lake ferry runs across Kootenay Lake, 35 kilometres east of Nelson on Highway 3A, between Balfour (west side) and Kootenay Bay (east side), 70 kilometres from Creston on Highway 3A. Capacity of the M.V. Osprey 2000 is 80 vehicles and 250 passengers. The M.V. Balfour can accommodate 28

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9 thoughts on “Gray Creek Pass”

  1. Just went over pass June 18th from Gray Creek side to Kimberley and back. 3 spots with snow. Easy to get through though. I was riding 2014 KTM Adventure. No washouts, no really rough spots. Normal FSR road. Great ride.

  2. Would this be big bike fully loaded friendly or more of a leave the bags at camp then ride it route? Similar terrain as the Trout Lake Loop?

  3. Hey I’m looking to do Gray Creek Pass on July 26, 2022. Looking for someone who can do it with me. Any volunteers?? I ride a 2018 KLR 650, with good tires and lots of experience, however carrying all my luggage could make this road a little dangerous to do alone for the first time

  4. Road through July 26, 2022. Good conditions. A few km of loose gravel west of Kimberly just before turn onto pass. East side loaded with loose rock. West side past Oliver lake very nice to Grey Creek.

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