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Trail Description:
Classic loop topography: up all the way out and down all the way back. Start ride at the start of FS road 7200 (or is it 7002?) at the tree farm, or add 3 miles to loop by starting from Leavenworth. Climb dirt road to the West for 1.5 to 2 miles along the South side of the gulch/valley. At road's end, find the singletrack at the left side of the berm. The transition from dirt road to singletrack forms a switchback, and the singletrack starts climbing the gulch wall back to the East. The singletrack tops out on the ridge a mile later and switchbacks again to the West, and the climb continues. This is where the mini-berms start. 3 to 4 foot built up dirt "rollers" that I'm guessing where put in for erosion control, or to prevent 4x use. The climb is relatively gradual and the ascent tops out 1.5 miles from the last switchback. Geography, however, you are not on top of the highest ridge line. The trail is now heading South and stays at level grade for 1/4 to 1/2 a mile. Follow the predominant trail as old dirt roads and spurs are evident to the left and right. Taking one of these spurs might give you a good birdseye view of Leavenworth and the Icicle Valley. After the level grade singletrack, the trail widens to a thin doubletrack and the descent begins. Not much more than a 1/4 mile later the trail leaves the doubletrack and drops down into a 3+ singletrack descent back to FS Road 7200. The transition from double to singletrack is a bit tricky. Again, follow the predominant trail and tire marks. And, if you're going fast enough, you might not even notice. The 3-mile descent is fun and includes more mini-berms than the climb does. Stay back, hold on, catch air! The trail follows a ridge line and offers a good vantage over Leavenworth before it switchbacks down into the gully which is home to the Southern tributary of Freund Ck. Another switchback at the bottom points you back to the East and after a few creek crossings, dumps you onto FS Road 7200. Hang a right back to the car.
How to get there:
Hwy. 2 to Leavenworth: 1/2 hour from Wenatchee, 2-1/2 hours from Seattle. North on Chumstick Road out of downtown Leavenworth. Left on Freund Creek road, 1.5 to 2 miles out of Leavenworth, just before railroad underpass. Park 1/2 mile down Freund Ck road where main arterial turns left; or follow main arterial to the left, take immediate left fork, pass through tree farm and park along FS Road 7200 at the gate.
Additional Notes:
Great example of environment reclaiming the area and turning roads to trail.
| Posted by: Mike M on 10/4/2010 |
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FREUND CANYON, not creek. Look for the small pictures of mountain bikes to point the way. Pretty good ride. I ran laps on it b/c I was expecting a little longer to get around. A solid rider should be able to do the loop in just under an hour. The burms were mostly awkward but fun in some places.
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| Posted by: Garren on 7/19/2008 |
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Nice trail, kept up really nice. My first real mountain bike trail experience. On the way up on the single track there was a fork in the trail, one went left up a steep climb and the right followed main trail. I took the left cause I didn't know until I got to the top but the left trail is a down hill trail that I went up(DOH!!!). Once i got to the top it was a nice fast ride down with whoops and creeks along the way. Lots of fun. Definitely Recommend it.
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| Posted by: Robert on 4/28/2008 |
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I REALLY wanted to ride this one on this trip to Leavenworth, and carried my bike about 2/3 of the way through snow on the climb, but was running out of sunlight, so I had to turn around to avoid getting caught in the dark. I'm pretty sure I just had another mile to go too. The lesson: It needs a couple more weeks to melt.
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| Posted by: Brandon on 5/15/2007 |
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Made it to the trail Friday around 5. excellent ride and well worth going out of the way for a perfect evening 2.5 hr ride. real fun water bars to catch air on too. some of the trail junctions were not so obvious either. fortunately we ran into some folks idealy timed at the cross roads. gotta love Ewa, lot of trails and nobody on them....boo ya!
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| Posted by: Tri-City Cyclist on 4/4/2007 |
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Great trail, kind of short (2 hrs?). One of the best around Leavenworth. Some of the best whoop-dee-dos around. Rode last fall 10/01/06?
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| Posted by: Not A Rad Girl on 10/13/2005 |
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This trail is in great condition seeing as it is the most common ride in L-Worth. Fire road makes easy climb, single track tons o'fun down. Lots of water bars on way down.
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| Posted by: Jason Paul on 4/23/2002 |
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FOR ONE, IT IS FREUND "CANYON", AND IF YOU WANT DH, THEN GO LEFT AT THE TOP OF THE TRAIL. ALWAYS GETTING BETTER. PARK AT THE END OF THE ROAD.
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| Posted by: Mike on 9/15/2001 |
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I just rode this trail a few weeks ago (aug '01, on my way to Lake Chelan from Seattle) and really enjoyed it. a pretty good climb going up (about 4 1/2 miles) then a fast wide trail going down. At the top before the trail goes down hill, there's a trail to the left that goes up a short hill then goes down a highly technical steep trail. I just checked out the start of it and really wanted to ride it but I was afraid of getting lost since it was getting late. Does anybody know where this goes? I think I have a pretty good idea, but confirmation would be nice. Go to the bike shop in Leavenworth for a copy of a hand drawn map of the ride.
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| Posted by: chad on 9/14/2001 |
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I grew up just up the road from this ride. I have rode a gazillion times. I now live in Seattle and have not gone there for awhile. Back in the day the trail had many more large jumps (waterbars) and was awesome. Ubfortunately The area had damage fom a fire over the ridge and compromised alot of the smooth take offs on the descent. The trail still is worthy and have heard of some work being done up there but havn't had the chance this year to get there. The last bit to add is that this trail is popular so respect it and the other users. I live in Seattle and it's a shame the vast majority of trails are closed to bikes. KEEP THE SPORT PURE THROUGH RESPECT FOR THE EARTH!!!
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