Copper Creek Forest Service Road

Copper Creek FSR punches up the mountainside north of Squamish, gaining 3,000 feet in eight brutal miles to the abandoned Britannia Beach copper mines. The road starts innocuously enough at the Mamquam River but quickly turns nasty with loose rock, washouts, and exposure that’ll pucker your seat. Past the 6-mile mark, you’ll hit the notorious Devil’s Elbow — a tight switchback over a 200-foot drop where plenty of rigs have ended up as scrap metal.

Expert-level difficulty demands high-clearance 4WD with skid plates, recovery gear, and nerves. The road deteriorates yearly from washouts and rockfall — check conditions with Sea-to-Sky locals before committing. Best tackled in dry summer months when visibility is good. Your reward is access to the historic mining tunnels, panoramic views across Howe Sound, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the Coast Mountains’ most unforgiving routes. Come prepared to turn around if conditions exceed your skill level.