Ride Reports
04 | 24 | '25
I have been away from mtb in the PNW for three weeks. A week near Sedona, AZ, a week in Las Vegas, and then a week doing family care and catch-up. Today I took advantage of the great weather and went to North Mountain to get back into the loam again....
Submitted by tomvale on 4/25/25
03 | 18 | '25
Group of 2 rode the entire trail NE bound mid March. Since the last trip report on here, iron bridges have been put across 3 of the biggest creek portages (including Big Blowout Creek at Bessemer~where a previous report mentioned the landslide). You...
Submitted by METT-TC on 4/6/25
04 | 01 | '25
I went out to Darrington and I took the truck as high as I could, safely, but there is still two feet of snow at the upper lot. I was stopped about 100 yards short. There is no biking possible in the soft drifts up there. I parked lower at the access...
Submitted by tomvale on 4/2/25
03 | 30 | '25
I woke up at sunrise in Manson and drove over to the Chelan Butte Trailhead parking lot. I began climbing up to, and continued on to the Winter Traverse to get over to the Butte Road. Once on the Butte Road, the sun came over the Butte trail ridge an...
Submitted by tomvale on 3/31/25
03 | 23 | '25
It was a nice weather day before the rains start up again. The trails at Lord Hill were fairly well drained but had patches of greasy mud in spots but not anything to worry about. There is a tree still at the runout of the Goldeneye rock drop and ano...
Submitted by tomvale on 3/22/25
03 | 18 | '25
While driving from Arlington to Darrington it was pouring. However, when I got to Darrington, it was partly cloudy so I was excited about hitting a break in the weather. I went up to the lower shuttle lot and soon, rain began hard down low again and...
Submitted by tomvale on 3/17/25
03 | 12 | '25
Was watching the weather pattern really closely this morning to find the gap in the rains out in Darrington. I started at the lower shuttle area and began the climb to the snow line. I was hoping for the upper lot but only made it as far a...
Submitted by tomvale on 3/12/25
03 | 09 | '25
It has been over 3 years since the last time I was riding the Grand Ridge Trail system off of Interstate 90 in Issaquah. I parked at the East Sunset Way Trailhead and took the Preston Trail to the East Fork climb and began heading towards Duthie. The...
Submitted by tomvale on 3/9/25
03 | 02 | '25
The trails have soaked up most of the water, but some drainage is still needing a day or two more. You will have fun here so come get some. I rolled the Goldeneye Rock drop but there is still a chainsaw job of one tree on that runout (report image)....
Submitted by tomvale on 3/2/25
02 | 26 | '25
Due to the atmospheric river rains and temperatures, I decided to try the lower sections of the Out of the Blue trail since it faces South on North Mountain (better sun exposure). I parked at the lower gate and started climbi...
Submitted by tomvale on 2/27/25
02 | 20 | '25
Sorry that I'm putting another ride report in for the Skills Park but it has the best draining trails in Western Washington! The snow is almost gone so the dirt is wonderful. Just needs one more day to dry. Sing this report to the Back Street Boys so...
Submitted by tomvale on 2/18/25
02 | 15 | '25
Because of all the cold weather we've had, there is still the 2 inches of snow on the Skills Park trails. Above the skills park, there is six or more inches on the higher mountain. So until this weekend's rains wash some of it away, it is marginally...
Submitted by tomvale on 2/15/25
02 | 09 | '25
I went out to Darrington again since those are the best draining trails but I was worried about the new snow. I found that there was only 2" total in the Skills Park and very ridable. There was a truck stuck in the road just above the Crosscut trailh...
Submitted by tomvale on 2/9/25
02 | 02 | '25
Took the Turbo Levo to Lord Hill this afternoon and the trails got some moisture making them grippy but the roots got moisture too and were very greasy. Sing this report to the song "Kryptonite" by Three Doors Down.
I ride black diamond trails to de...
Submitted by tomvale on 2/2/25
01 | 27 | '25
Just bought a new Specialized Enduro Comp and took it to the Darrington Skills Park to test it and fine tune it. Sing this report to Def Leppard's "Animal".
A wild ride, over stony groundSuch a lust for bikes, great weather comes to townWe are the 2...
Submitted by tomvale on 1/27/25
01 | 16 | '25
Today I decided to push my own limits and went into my personal 'Danger Zone' in Darrington, the Showcase Showdown trail.
Sing this report to Kenny Loggins biggest hit. ;-)
Pedaling with your legsBreathing heavy, almost a roarFull Suspension readyR...
Submitted by tomvale on 1/15/25
01 | 11 | '25
Sing this report to Heart's "Alone"
I hear the rumble of my truckWhile parking at the trailheadI wonder if I’ll enjoy this rideSee wildlife or more biker friendsThe riders fly when they hit the flowAnd I hope a crash won’t end me thoughAlone
Till n...
Submitted by tomvale on 1/9/25
01 | 09 | '25
Sing this report to Neil Diamond's "America" (7th mtb music parody report)
Far
We've been sending it far
With pads and gloves
And no risk for a scar
Free
Most the trails are free
We volunteer
And work towards our dream
On our bikes above the...
Submitted by tomvale on 1/7/25
12 | 28 | '24
Sing this report to the Scorpions song "Can't Live Without You".
One,Two,One, Two,One, two, three, four
Send it in front of your friendsYou know the fun never endsWe see Red Bull riders sending it farWith crowds shaking their headsAmazed at how w...
Submitted by tomvale on 12/29/24
12 | 22 | '24
I was watching the weather closely to find a break between the storms. That break came really early this morning and I arrived at the lower shuttle lot right at sunrise. Last night's winds blew a lot of stuff down so there were some bows and trees to...
Submitted by tomvale on 12/21/24