As the name suggests this area along the Klondike trail was tough on horses. The course starts on Wierenga flats giving your legs a little warm up before climbing the valley side onto the old wagon trail which leads you up river to the daunting sandy climb out of the main valley and into the moss covered sand dunes of past times. Here you will blast onto single track that yawns through out the boreal. Ridge lines are covered with grass and if lucky wild tiger lilies will be in blossom as well as other flora. Steep sections of trail unearth the hidden dunes beneath slowing the slog uphill but cause cushioned cruising descents. This is single track heaven and to top it off you’ll be running on the migration trail believed to be used during the last ice age by aboriginals as well as animals as they made their way down North America. As you make your descent to the valley bottom you’ll hear the churning of the Clear Water Creek, keep your eyes peeled at the beaver crossings and don’t drag your feet as this little section is more bumpy and with the water loving plump spruce trees makes for rooty terrain. Heading back up river beside the Athabasca the sky blocking cottonwoods and thick undergrowth glow a brilliant green as you make your way back to the finish.