Mara Mountain – Mara Lookout FSR

biegandrew
Jul 31
3 min read

Updated: Sep 3

Summary of Route

Type: Out and back; alpine meadows and views
Rating: 5/5
Season: Late Summer
Length: 31 km one way from the start of gravel road
Vehicle suitability: Stock 4x4

Mara Mountain - Mara Lookout FSR overland route top alpine view with 4th gen tacoma.

The Route Overview

The Mara Mountain - Mara Lookout FSR route is a moderately challenging overland adventure. It offers stunning views and the chance to drive alongside beautiful alpine meadows. To preserve the environment, it's crucial to stay on established routes. Attempting this route requires a 4x4 vehicle. We recommend larger tires and decent clearance for a smoother experience.

The journey begins about 30 km east of Enderby, British Columbia. You'll exit off Mabel Lake Road onto Three Valley Mabel FSR at coordinates 50.60872, -118.78776. Before you start, it's wise to fill up your fuel tank in Enderby. The gravel section takes roughly two hours each way, with extended periods in 4-high and some in 4-low. Be aware that Google Maps may not provide accurate directions for the Mara Fire Lookout. Instead, use GPS coordinates 50.76475, -118.84289 for the correct route.

Once you leave Mabel Lake Road and enter the gravel section, the directions become straightforward. Three Valley Mabel FSR is well-groomed, allowing you to cover the 11.7 km quickly. You'll turn left onto Mara Lookout FSR at coordinates 50.69703, -118.75008. Follow this road for the remainder of your drive. While several spurs intersect with the main FSR, stick to the most travelled path to stay on track.

Initially, Mara Lookout FSR is in excellent condition. However, at the 4 km mark (15 km from the start), the road conditions begin to deteriorate. By the 8 km mark, you will enter the 4x4 portion of the track (50.72645, -118.81194). You will notice the change in road conditions as you approach. Some maps show a spur that loops around this section. Although this spur dead-ends, it offers a great parking spot to assess the road ahead. If you feel uneasy about this section, it's best to turn back, as the conditions worsen and turnaround spots are limited.

Once you enter the 4x4 portion, you'll encounter boulder fields. These can be navigated with caution, but they require slow driving. After traveling 14 km on Mara Lookout FSR, you will start to see the meadows. Late July is an excellent time for this route, as wildflowers bloom and the path is usually clear of snow. However, be prepared for bugs, which can be quite noticeable.

Once in the meadows, the Mara Lookout FSR becomes smoother for a period of time though you will likely remain in 4-high. There are small tarns and water crossings in this section. At the time of our visit, these reached about 3/4 of the way up our 33” tires.

At the 16 km mark, you will face what is arguably the crux of this route. With a decent line choice, it is manageable without engaging a rear-locker. Be cautious, as there is a significant incline off the driver’s side, which adds an element of risk if you choose the left line.

After overcoming this obstacle, the route becomes smoother again, and the views continue to impress. At the 18 km mark, you will find the largest lake on this route.

Shortly after the lake, the incline increases dramatically, but the road conditions remain relatively good. At the 19 km mark, you will begin a series of switchbacks with hairpin corners. While some individuals have reported completing this section with full-size vehicles, we needed to perform multi-point turns in our short-box Tacoma. Given the steep drop-off, it's advisable to have a spotter or confidence in your backup camera for guidance during these turns.