Trail Description:
This is a true epic ride. It has it all. Start with a long fire road climb then enjoy the reward of a long swooping downhill with fast sections, technical sections, lots of rock gardens and unimpeded views.
If you have the legs, ride up to the lookout past the trailhead. The 360 degree view is like no other.
From the Halfway Flat campground ride rd 1704 South to 1706 then up 1706 to 1600 and up to the trailhead.
From the trailhead it's a steep and skethy descent across a talus slope and then a short grunt climb.
The trail then traverses along the edge of a clif exposing tremendous views and eventually drops back down to the river.
Turn right at the river and where the trail appears to end you'll need to scramble around the washout along the tiny trail.
How to get there:
From Yakima, follow HWY 410 West until you see the sign for the Halfway Flat campground. Turn left, cross the river and park.
From the West Side, take Hwy 410 over Chinook Pass and keep heading East towards Yakima until you see the sign for Halfway Flat Campground on the right.
| Posted by: munster217 on 7/5/2010 |
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very good trail with a little bit of everything for any kind of rider. rocks, single line switch backs in the trees, technical sections and some flat out speed runs! caution...after riding the trail down the 13 mile road back to the top can be a little overwhelming! fantastic views! highly recommended.
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| Posted by: Mike_Bike on 7/30/2009 |
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It was a good ride but, as you can see from the picture, there are a lot of small rocks in the trail. It is a real pain in the a$$.
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| Posted by: alex henes on 6/12/2009 |
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fantastic views, great single track, don't bother with the road... ride single track up and down.
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| Posted by: altasnob on 6/2/2009 |
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Rode it 5/30/09. Patchy snow on the first third of the trail all the way to the first logging road crossing. Dry from there down. Give it two more weeks.
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| Posted by: timmyfitz on 10/14/2008 |
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I recommend parking at Halfway Flat campground, and riding up 1709 to 1706 to 1600 to the trail. This will be a shorter distance but steeper than the other route of 1704 (river road) to 1706. I will skip the extra jaunt to the peak next time - I dont think it is worth it since you get great views anyway and there really is not a trail from the summit if you head up there.
The ride is more cross country once you get on the single track as there is climbing (some granny gear) that is interspersed with the perfect downhills throughout. There are also a fair amount of chunky rocks in the trail in sections - full suspension is a must in those parts..
All in all, a really fun day in the saddle with fabulous sections and killer views.
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| Posted by: GuyH on 10/13/2007 |
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Rode 10/5/07. Fantastic single track on the
downhill stretch. Being new to the area, I bought
the Yakima County Rec Guide Map from the Naches
Ranger station off US 12 for $10. Well worth every
dollar once I began navigating the well marked
forest service roads on the way up. Things got a
little frosty in the shady spots of the 366 service
road. I attempted to continue along 961 from the
366 road to get to the top of little bald mountain
but 961 was too frosty once I left the road.
Turning downhill from here on 961 was a treat. I
will be back to enjoy this one after or before
hunting season. I had no idea it was hunting
season here nor did it even cross my mind to check
until I passed multiple "late model" campers
randomly parked along the service roads and the
occasional busch can tossed here or there.
Would anyone be interested in having a group ride
at some point?
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| Posted by: Amy on 7/23/2007 |
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Rode 7/21/07. Still some blow downs, but ran into a couple of dirtbikers half way down with chainsaws on their way up :) Thanks guys!
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| Posted by: Bones on 6/2/2007 |
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I just got done riding this trail and wanted to let people know don't try to ride this trail early in the year otherwise you will be carrying your bike through some serious snow banks. There are several areas up top that don't get much sun. Also, there was some really heavy rains with high winds this last winter so there are tons of down trees. If you don't mind climbing over trees for the first 2 miles do the trail, you will forget all about the trees once you can see bumping lake from a great lookout spot. You should be home free after that. If you don't want to carry your bikes over all the trees call the forest service and ask them if they have cleared the trail yet. Have fun and ride hard!
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| Posted by: twinheathers on 9/19/2006 |
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We rode this on Tuesday 9/19/06. Despite heavy rains around Crystal and in the city all night and day, the trail was in a perfectly packed and dry condition. Fast and fun!!
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| Posted by: UK Alien on 7/3/2005 |
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One of Washington's finest singletrack jewels. Fire road climb is fairly long, but unlike Suntop & Ranger Creek rides has some easier sections. Singletrack descent is mostly very smooth & includes amazing views of Mt. Rainier & the West. 3rd time I've ridden this trail and yet to meet another rider!
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