Notch - JP Cool - Bent Tree

The Notch:
It starts off at the parking lot at the meadows and follows the Cow Trail for some time, before taking off at a well marked intersection. There's a steady climb to the top, with a fast single track descent. The notch itself is a rock chute that drops about 2 feet at the start of the descent. Part of the climb has been named the Bair Blitch; you'll figure out why. You can ride the Notch in reverse direction, i.e. heading up Inside Passage, and then ride down, however it's not worth it. Total distance is about 6.5 km.

Jp Cool:
This trail starts at the 3rd cattle guard, i.e. where Cow Trail comes out. A very fun twisty single track, intermediate technical level. At the end, you can take Sanchez back to the road, or Rock Garden back to the parking area. Total distance is about 3 km.

Rock Garden / Bent Tree:
This trail starts off where it meets with Sanchez and JP Cool. First, there's a rocky climb, and later it passes below a bent tree--you're where the name comes from. Try the teeter-totter (advice from the local experts). Technical difficulty for intermediate riders; the trail comes out at the meadows. The trail distance is about 2.5 km, and can be ridden in either direction.

Directions:

In Merritt, at the junction Voght St. and Nicola Ave. (use the 7-eleven as a landmark), go south on Voght St and cross the bridge over Coldwater River. Turn left onto Mid Day Valley Road, which will turn into gravel at some point. You'll pass two cattle guards, and about 300m after the second one, you'll come to the meadows, where you park. There are trails going in several directions. You are there.