4.5 miles
Distance
1,145 ft
Climb
-1,148 ft
Descent
4,493 ft
High Point
-5 ft
Altitude change
3,440 ft
Altitude min
3,445 ft
Altitude start
3,438 ft
Altitude end
-86.9%
Grade max
48%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
932 ft
Distance flat

How to find it
Head up the gravel road towards Island Lake Lodge, and it's the second yellow gate on your right, about 2.5km from when you leave the paved road. There's a little hump to the left of the gate you can ride over. Head up this double track until you get to the poweline, when you need to bear left onto the powerline road. Less than 100m of powerline road later, there's a right heading uphill. Get on that and start climbing When you get to the top of road, it ends with a turn around spot for vehicles, follow the trail into the forest and round to the right to reach the downhill section. Keep to the right-hand trail at the start of the down for the less steep version (they both join up pretty quick).

The trail
A serious climb from the road on a disused jeep track. One of those ones that everyone wants to clean, but not everyone does. There's a race up it every year. The record so far is 13 minutes to the top from the Island Lake Road...

The down is a trail of three distinct sections - the first is a very cool section along a river bed - rocky, rooty and with little drops and rolls along the way. This then gives way to a very mellow flowing section through more open woods and fields, in which you can see some old stunts that should probably be avoided unless you've got off your bike and checked them out closely. Once you hit the powerline, the trail then heads modestly upwards for a short distance before launching into a roller-coaster of downs and flats that is pretty unique.

Detailed Description
Project 9 is a 4 mile popular expert route located near Fernie British Columbia. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 5 trails. This route climbs 1,145 ft with a max elevation of 4,493 ft then descends -1,148 ft.

Trail Issues on Route

  • Significant Issue / Amber: 1 trail (newest: Mar 30, 2026)
Route Supporters
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Fernie Trails Alliance (www.fernietrailsalliance.com)
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!
Past Events

Stats

  • Distance
    4 miles
  • Avg time
    1 hr 26 min
  • Altitude min
    3,440 ft
  • Altitude start
    3,445 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,438 ft
  • Climb
    1,145 ft
  • Descent
    -1,148 ft
  • Grade max
    -86.9%
  • Grade min
    48%
  • Distance climb
    2 miles
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    932 ft

8 Reviews & Comments


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Details

  • Riding area
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
  • Ridelogs
    2
Avg: 2 (4 votes)
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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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    • Singletrack
    • Unpaved
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    147
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    youtuber BRUTAL CLIMB INTO EPIC DESCENT! Stumpy into...
    BRUTAL CLIMB INTO EPIC DESCENT! Stumpy into Project 9!
    trail: Project 9
    15:32 | 144 | comments: 0 | favs:
    Aug 3, 2025
    Project 9 - Fernie
    Project 9 - Fernie
    trail: Project 9
    8:48 | 275 | comments: 0 | favs:
    Apr 6, 2025

    Recent Trail Reports Along Route

    statustraildateconditiondescription
    Project 9
    Jun 14, 2026 @ 1:26pm (America/Edmonton)
    Jun 14, 2026
    Excellent shape, super wet through the first rock garden after momma’s way, then nice dirt on the pink line to the bottom.
    Project 9 Access
    Jun 14, 2026 @ 1:24pm (America/Edmonton)
    Jun 14, 2026
    1st steep a touch greasy. Great on the rest of climb.
    Lazy Lizard Connector
    Jun 3, 2026 @ 11:52am (America/Edmonton)
    Jun 3, 2026
    Trees cleared
    Lazy Lizard from Island Lake parking lot
    Mar 30, 2026 @ 11:46am (America/Edmonton)
    Mar 30, 2026
    Island Lake Road
    Jul 20, 2020 @ 11:28am
    Jul 20, 2020
    more reports »
    • By vinniemo & contributors
    • #2248 - 3,800 views

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