Apex Resort and surrounding area is extensively described within the pages of this book; this has a great deal to do with my fondness of the area, but also because it has so much to offer recreationalists in the way of single and dual-track trail systems.
This chapter examines the Apex Bowls and Orange Trail. This terrain is explored via a pair of routes that begin as one, before splitting to traverse several mountain summits and a pair of glacial bowls. The paths eventually converge into single, and then dual-track trails, thus completing a circuitous route back to Apex Village. There are many ways to navigate this loop, but for the sake of brevity, I will only describe one of the many options available.
Check out the Topo-Canada map here. You may access a large, high-resolution version of the Google image shown atop this chapter by clicking it.
Although I have stated it elsewhere in this publication, the following description bears repeating: Apex Ski Resort rests upon Beaconsfield Mt. The actual Apex Mt. lies to the south of Beaconsfield Mt., across a shallow depression known as the Saddle. Furthermore, though Apex Mt. is one overall height of land, it technically consists of two sub-peaks: Apex Secondary and Apex proper.
Begin this adventure at the Apex Village parking area and head up the Grandfather’s Trail - a posted winter ski run. If standing in front of the Gunbarrel Saloon in Apex village, looking up the mountain, the Grandfather’s Trail rises to your right. Continue along the Grandfather’s Trail until you reach the upper Apex parking area. From this point you may continue to the summit of Beaconsfield Mt. via the Grandfather’s Trail, the Powerline service road, or you may seek out the lower section of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (GBU) singletrack trail. All three make their way to the summit of Beaconsfield eventually.
If you prefer to travel along the Grandfather’s Trail, your route is signed and obvious. Ditto for the Powerline Rd. If, on the other hand, you seek to ascend the GBU singletrack trail, then make your way to the south end of the upper parking lot via the Grandfather’s Trail. There you will find the Powerline Rd. heading west from the edge of the parking lot, running parallel to the Grandfather’s Trail. Between the two routes lies a creek and singletrack trail adjacent to it; this is the GBU. Make your way up the GBU to the summit of Beaconsfield Mt. Detailed descriptions of these routes are available in the Apex Resort chapter found elsewhere in this publication.
Once at the summit, enjoy the views, explore the area and then study the height of land directly to the south. There, less than 1.5km away, lays the Apex Secondary peak of Apex Mt. Note the old road that ascends its northern face; this is your destination. As you head down into the Saddle between Beaconsfield and Apex Mt., various single and two-track routes lead to the left and right, ignore them and continue to head directly as possible toward Apex Mt. When you reach the base of the Saddle you will be in a meadow-like opening; bearing right (west) you will intersect with a well-traveled service road which heads toward Apex Mt. This is the same road that you spied ascending Apex Mt. while you stood atop Beaconsfield Mt. For the record, this same road would also allow one to descend northwest and connect with the Powerline Rd.
Begin ascending this road, making your way across the northern face of Apex Mt. Approximately 500m along this road, at a point known as Apex Junction, the road splits left and right. Left leads to the Apex Bowl; a large glacial depression on the east face of Apex Secondary. Apex Bowl features several two-track roads that once serviced now abandoned mine sites. The various roads within the bowl eventually merge and make their way down to the Orange trail junction and beyond. Roads within the bowl are generally rough, steep and unmaintained. I suggest that a high degree of bike handling skills and a modern, full-suspension bike are in order for riders. Hikers will find the route long, but the visuals stunning.
If you were to ignore the left hand turn at Apex Junction, and instead head right, you would be on your way to the summit of Apex Proper, and beyond that, to the Powder 8 Bowl (the entrance to which is referred to as ‘South Gate’ by local hikers). As with the Apex Bowl, the Powder 8 Bowl sports a very loose and rough dual-track trail; it also drops down the bowl, and then heads north to connect with the Orange Trail. Three and a half kilometers into the bowl, you will see a singletrack trail heading off into the forest on your left; this is the trailhead to the Orange Trail. You must not miss this left junction or you will find yourself at the bottom of a steep valley, blindly seeking a way home.
In summary; left at the Apex Junction leads to the Apex Bowl and right makes for the Powder 8 Bowl, and all roads lead to the Orange trail in the end; but it is not that simple.
The road that heads right actually leads to the summit of Apex Proper, the higher of the two peaks that comprise Apex Mt. Atop Apex Proper are various radio towers and their attendant buildings. The summit offers outstanding views in all directions as well as some amazing visuals down into the Apex Bowl. Carefully peer down into the flume-like scree slopes and marvel at the lunar landscape of the Apex bowl. This is a great place to take lunch and absorb the views as there are fewer bugs above tree line and what remain are diminished by near constant breezes.
If you seek to make your way beyond Apex Proper and into the next bowl to the south of it, you will not find a road leading off the summit in that direction. Allow me to place you back down at the Apex Junction; this will assist in describing the route to the Powder Bowl. The summit of Apex Proper lies 2.2km beyond this junction. Additionally, a small, easy to overlook trail drops off the road on the right hand side at a point approximately 1.8km along it. This obscure dual-track route is the path one must follow in order to reach the Powder 8 Bowl.
Make your way south on this narrow two-track route. When last travelled, the path was in excellent condition, affording scenic visuals to the west for much of its length. 1.2km along, the road briefly climbs a small rise, before descending into the Powder 8 bowl. Even steeper than the Apex bowl road, the path down the Powder 8 makes for the valley at break neck pace. Use extreme caution if descending it on a mountain bike!
As an aside; if you decide to skip the descent into the Powder 8 Bowl, realize that a route known as the West Apex Trail Network runs a mere 275m southwest of the South Gate. An interesting twist on this area’s trails could include a route leading from the South Gate to Apex Village via the West Apex Trail Network. Note that a detailed description of the West Apex Trail Network is available elsewhere in this publication.
Those of you keen to experience the Powder 8 Bowl and its connection with the Orange Trail should pass through the South Gate and drop into the Bowl. Remember my warnings about the road’s rough surface. At the bottom of the Powder 8 bowl, approximately 2km from the South Gate, one finds an intersection of roads. Turn left and begin your ascent to the Orange Trail junction. You are now on the northern extent of the Loak Creek Forest Service Rd. If you were to head right at this intersection, you would eventually end up 3.5 kilometers north of Olalla, on Hwy.3a via a tangled series of logging roads. I have yet to explore this route, but understand that it is fraught with deadfall.
Be aware that as you ascend toward the Orange Trail intersection you will meet two additional right hand junctioning roads; ignore them as they drop precipitously into a narrow valley that is difficult to exit. The ‘correct’ Orange Trail junction also appears as a right hand junctioning trail, entering tight forest cover approximately 1200m north of the left turn that you made at the bottom of the Powder 8 Bowl. The trailhead can be inconspicuous, depending on the time of year, usage and growth of the foliage. There has been on and off signage at the trailhead over the years, but I cannot say if it will be in place upon your visit. If you were to miss this trailhead, you would find yourself steeply ascending the Apex Bowl. I suggest that you closely study the maps available at sweetsingletrack.ca, then download and carry a GPS enabled device loaded with the tracks available at sweetsingletrack.ca
The Orange Trail makes its way north in a zigzag manner, generally heading north toward Apex Resort. Along the way, it crosses a potentially dangerous scree slope and two creeks as it winds its way through dense forest. Over the past few years, motorcycles have taken to traveling the trail. This has had the unfortunate effect of loosening its soil. This in turn has allowed rainfall to wash away much of the dirt, leaving roots and rocks exposed for long stretches. Dirt bikers leaning hard on the throttle, on what has historically been a footpath, does not make a good combination. I am not against dirt bikes, as I am a rider myself. The problem lies with throttle junkies who have no concept of how much force is generated at the tire’s contact patch, or those ignorant enough not to care. The Orange Trail is a prime example of a fantastic route that is being destroyed by erosion brought on by thoughtless trail use.
Eventually one pops out on the Dividend Mt. service road. Make a left and continue to descend all the way down to the Keremeos Creek forest service road. The distance between the Orange Trail trailhead and the Keremeos Cr. FSR is approximately 2.7km. Upon meeting the Keremeos Cr. FSR, you can choose to turn right and descend to Green Mt. Rd. and Ford Lake via the Keremeos Creek FSR (described elsewhere in this book) or take a left turn and return to the Apex village.
Getting there from the Peach in downtown Penticton, head up Martin St., following it until it changes name to Fairview Rd. after the Eckhardt Ave. intersection. Follow Fairview Rd. to the intersection with Hwy.97, then cross it. Signage will guide you from there to Apex Resort.
L:1685m | H:2249m | Length: +18km | Water: Not Potable | Cell Access: Mostly