Ride Summary:
Over used but never out of fun. Old reliable for Seattle residents.
Trail Description:
This is by far the most popular trail in the Seattle area. Its proximity to the city and challenging singletrack make it a mecca for many riders. There are two fire roads from the parking lot. Head up the road on the right. After about 2.5 miles of climbing, you will come to a fork in the road. Keep left and after another .5 miles you will see the Preston trailhead on the right. Follow this trail for about 4 miles and you'll come out on another fire road. Turn left down the hill and at the fork, turn right and continue down the hill. After some fast downhill and a short climb, look for the Timberline trailhead on the right. Follow this trail for another 3 miles then turn left on the fire road back down to your car.
How to get there:
From Seattle take I-90 East to exit 25. Follow Hwy 18 South for about 5-miles (just past the summit). The parking lot sneaks up on you on the right.
Additional Notes:
If it's been raining any time recently, don't even think about riding it. it is closed Oct.
| Posted by: mtnracr11 on 7/8/2009 |
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when you go on Highway 18 east, the parking lot is on the left not the right, there lots of wannabe freeriders on big travel that think they hae the rightaway and will run you over
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| Posted by: Kajukenbo on 8/22/2007 |
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I was up there a earlier this year and I dont know how people can gripe about this trail. Climbing the fire road doesnt take too long, only about 30 minutes, and then you get about 5 steep miles of downhill.
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| Posted by: cameron on 4/18/2007 |
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i was up there last weekend on opening day and as an update, everything felt great. thanks to the wonderful folks over at BBTC.org for working on the trail over the winter time. trail is open for the 2007 riding season!
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| Posted by: Martay! on 11/27/2006 |
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It's gotten WAY TOO OVER RIDDEN...between the DH'ers ripping, the hard core grinders going up, (the signs say yield to the uphillers), the occational horse rider, the hikers on the Timberline Loop, I even had a guy this last summer giving a sermon on one of the Timberline bridges, to everyone going by or hanging out, I'm going to opt out of this ride for a few years and leave it to others. Don't get me wrong it's some of the best, most technical singletrack you will ever encounter, but be prepared for the overcrowding problems mentioned above.
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| Posted by: El Diablo on 9/28/2005 |
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Great trail--as always. I can now do this entire trail in ~1hour 20min., and that's with me climbing up at moderate pace. Only downside to this trail is when people bring their stupid horse, and they take a crap all over the place--ban the horses, they stink!
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| Posted by: livtoride on 7/28/2005 |
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Always a good afterwork ride. The climb up the trail is almost the best part. Left my front wheel in the upper parking lot on accident. Realised it the next day and it was still there waiting for me. Much thanks to the riders that saw it and didn't take it.
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| Posted by: Leftbanker on 5/25/2005 |
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When you factor in that Tiger is only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle you have to rate it as excellent. During the week there are few riders if you want to climb up the trail. The fire road is enough to kick my butt. If you choose to ride up the trail remember that there are some people who like to go down FAST! I’m not one of them. The trail goes from “swearing out loud” steep, to “Oh my God” technical, to “laughing out loud” fast and fun.
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| Posted by: Pd on 3/23/2005 |
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Just got back from riding the loop this afternoon (3/23/05) with a friend. The old write ups make it sound better than it really is. Guess that could be the 3 mile climb on my rusty limbs talking, or just my altered perception of reality due to many head injuries. There are plenty of fast riding opportunities with nearly no one else out on the trails mid-week around noon. I had previously ridden the timberline trail both directions, but this was my first time on the Preston RR. Parking lot was nearly empty before noon, but started filling up before we left. Did not see another soul the whole ride...
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| Posted by: neptune brad on 11/5/2004 |
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Any opne been up there in the past two weeks? Conditions?
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| Posted by: Dirtslinger on 9/28/2004 |
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I disagree with the remarks about dont ride in after recent rain.
I found that was the best time although slimy and water run down the trail the dirt slingin was fun. Much better after recent rain.
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