Morrissey Ridge and the Notch
Morrissey Ridge and the Notch can look straightforward on a map, but a long backcountry ride near Fernie can change quickly with weather, road conditions, closures and limited cell service. This guide helps you plan a sensible ATV or UTV day, think through route choices, and prepare for the less predictable parts before you leave the staging area.
Planning a Morrissey Ridge and the Notch ride
Morrissey Ridge sits in the Fernie area of southeastern British Columbia, where backcountry roads and riding routes can connect across a large landscape. That scale is part of the appeal—and the reason a casual glance at a map is not enough. Start with the ride you want, then work backward through access, distance, terrain, weather and the condition of your machine.
Check access and closures before choosing a route
A line on a map does not automatically mean a trail is open, suitable for an ATV, or available to the public. Routes may cross different land types, follow resource roads, or be affected by seasonal restrictions, forestry activity, maintenance, fire danger or local access rules. Check current notices and signs close to your ride date, and pay attention to posted restrictions when you arrive.
For regional context, start with BC Riding Near Fernie and BC Kootenay Riding Areas. Then check maps and notices for the specific roads and trail segments you intend to use. BC Motor Vehicle Closures and How to Find Them can help you understand why checking for closures is part of trip planning, not something to leave until you are already on the route.
The word “Notch” may make a route sound like a single, obvious passage. In practice, names used by riders, map apps and local directions do not always describe the same junction or trail segment. Confirm where you plan to go, which way you intend to travel, and what your turnaround point will be. If you cannot confidently match a route description to the terrain and junctions on your map, treat that as a reason to pause and ask for local guidance—not a reason to keep exploring until something looks familiar.
Build a route plan with a realistic turnaround point
Choose a route that fits your group’s experience, machines and available daylight. It is tempting to plan a ride around the most interesting-looking feature on the map, then assume the return will be easy. But a route that takes longer than expected on the way in also takes longer on the way out, especially if the group stops for repairs, encounters road work, or needs to turn back.
Use BC ATV Trail Map Downloads alongside a second navigation option when possible. If you use onX Offroad, download the map area before leaving cell coverage and check that you know how to view your location offline. A navigation app is a planning aid, not a guarantee that a mapped line is legal, open or passable. Confirm the route against current notices, road signs and other reliable local information.
Share the plan with someone who is not riding with you. Include your intended starting point, planned route, expected return time and what they should do if you have not checked in. A simple rule can help prevent optimistic decision-making: if you reach your turnaround time, turn around even if the ridge or the Notch still feels close.
Choosing machines and assessing the terrain
The right ride is not just about whether an ATV or UTV can physically travel a route. It is about whether the machine, its tires and its operator are suited to the conditions the group may encounter. A dry-looking track can turn rough after rain, and a route that works well for one vehicle may be uncomfortable or difficult for another.
Match the route to your ATV or UTV
Before leaving, consider ground clearance, tire condition, steering and braking, fuel range, and how your machine behaves on uneven ground. A UTV may offer more room for passengers and gear, while a smaller ATV can be easier to place on a narrow or irregular track. Neither type removes the need to judge the route carefully. Width, turning room, ruts and loose material can all affect progress.
Ask every rider to be honest about experience. A new rider may manage a short, familiar trail comfortably but feel overwhelmed by a long day with repeated junctions, steep sections or uncertain conditions. If your group includes different skill levels, choose a route that leaves room to slow down and regroup. Look at BC Trail Difficulty Ratings for ideas about how to think about trail difficulty, while remembering that ratings and descriptions cannot account for every day’s conditions.
A useful pre-ride discussion covers more than who is leading. Decide how far apart riders should stay, where the group will stop, how to signal a problem and what to do if someone becomes separated. In a UTV group, agree on safe spacing and avoid assuming that a passenger can navigate simply because they have a phone. The driver needs to keep their attention on the trail.
Read changing conditions, not just the map
Conditions can vary along a ride. A lower road may be dry while a shaded stretch is wet, and an exposed section can feel very different when wind, cloud or rain moves in. If you are heading toward a ridge, check the forecast for the broader area and think about what deteriorating visibility would mean for your group. Keep a conservative plan if the forecast is uncertain.
Avoid treating wet ground as a minor inconvenience. Mud can hide ruts, reduce traction and make it harder to stop or turn. Spinning tires can also damage a trail and make it worse for everyone who follows. BC Riding After Heavy Rain offers useful considerations for deciding whether conditions are reasonable, while BC Trails With Alpine Views can help you think about the additional planning that comes with higher, more exposed terrain.
If the route becomes slick, visibility drops or a machine is struggling, stop somewhere safe and reassess. Do not let the group’s momentum—or the fact that you have already travelled a long way—push you into a section no one is comfortable riding. Turning around is a sound decision, not a failed outing.
| What to assess | Why it matters | A practical response |
|---|---|---|
| Trail width and turning room | A wide UTV may not fit comfortably on every narrow or irregular section | Check the route description and turn around if the trail no longer suits the machine |
| Recent rain or snowmelt | Ruts, mud and soft ground can affect traction and trail condition | Slow down, avoid spinning tires, and reconsider the route if it is deteriorating |
| Visibility and wind | Conditions can change quickly on exposed ground | Set a conservative turnaround point and leave room to descend before visibility worsens |
| Fuel and time | Delays, detours and slow travel can extend the return trip | Plan for the whole ride, not just the outward distance |
| Road and trail notices | Logging activity or closures can change access | Follow posted signs and check local notices before and during the trip |
Safety, equipment and backcountry readiness
A remote ride is easier to enjoy when the group has a plan for ordinary problems: a flat tire, a dead battery, a wrong turn or a rider who needs to stop. You do not need to pack as though every trip will become an emergency, but you should bring enough to manage a delay and communicate when cell service is unreliable.
Carry navigation, communication and basic repair supplies
Bring a charged phone, a downloaded offline map, and a separate way to navigate if your phone fails. onX Offroad can be one part of that setup if you have downloaded the area in advance, but do not rely on a single app or assume a signal will be available. A paper map or another offline-capable device can provide a useful backup.
Pack water, food, warm layers, rain protection, a first-aid kit, a light, and basic tools suited to your machine. Include supplies for common problems such as a puncture or loose hardware, and know how to use what you carry. If you do not have the tools or skills to deal with a likely mechanical issue, make a more conservative route choice and ride with someone who can help.
A satellite messenger or other emergency communication device may be worth considering for a remote trip, particularly if your route takes you beyond dependable cell coverage. Decide before departure who will carry it and how the group will use it. Do not wait until someone is separated to work out how the device sends a message.
Treat shared roads as working roads
Some routes may use resource roads where industrial traffic operates. A loaded logging truck needs room and takes much longer to stop than an ATV or UTV. Watch for signs, follow the road’s posted requirements, and do not assume a quiet-looking road will stay quiet. BC Resource Roads With Active Hauling explains why active work can change the way riders need to use a road.
Where radio use is required or recommended for a particular road, make sure you understand the local practices before travelling. Know which channel to use, how to make a clear call and how to respond if you hear approaching traffic. If you do not have the appropriate radio or are unsure of the procedure, reconsider using that road until you can get reliable local information.
For broader riding guidance, review BC Forest Service Road Rules for ORVs. Registration, insurance, helmet and other requirements depend on where and how you ride, so confirm the rules that apply to your route rather than assuming that a trail ride has no road-related obligations.
A practical checklist for ride day
A good checklist does not need to be complicated. Its purpose is to catch the little oversights that become frustrating once the group is far from the truck. Give yourself time to check the machines and maps before unloading, especially if you are travelling from Fernie or another community to a staging area.
Before you leave home
- Check the route, access information, closures and relevant road notices.
- Download offline maps and confirm that your route and current location display without cell service.
- Share your itinerary and expected check-in time with someone staying behind.
- Check the forecast and agree on a turnaround time.
- Inspect tires, brakes, lights, steering, fuel and essential fasteners.
- Pack water, food, warm layers, rain gear, first aid, tools and a backup navigation option.
- Confirm that every rider understands the route, regrouping plan and communication signals.
If you use onX Offroad as part of your navigation setup, open the downloaded map before you start and make sure the relevant area is available offline. Save or note key junctions and the planned turnaround point. Keep the device secured so it is accessible without distracting the driver, and do not let following a screen replace watching the trail.
While riding and when conditions change
Keep the group together at junctions. The lead rider should stop where everyone can regroup safely, and the last rider should know the route well enough to recognize when someone has dropped back. If there are multiple machines, avoid leaving a gap so large that a rider misses a turn or cannot communicate a problem.
Be ready to shorten the ride. A late start, slow travel, worsening weather, a mechanical issue or a new closure can all change the plan. Do not treat the Notch or the ridge as a destination you must reach just because it was the reason for the trip. A shorter ride that ends with everyone and every machine safely back at the staging area is a better day than pushing on after the plan has stopped making sense.
When you return, let your contact know you are back. Check the machines for damage, remove mud that could conceal a problem, and make a note of any confusing junctions or conditions that might help you plan a future trip. Keep your notes tied to the date of the ride; a route that was manageable in one set of conditions may be very different after a storm or a change in road activity.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
