Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

RECREATION

Mountain Biking

Demand for mountain bike trails is expanding rapidly, but the trail system has only limited opportunities for this use.

Please observe the following trail etiquette rules when riding for safety and to help foster a positive public image:

• Do not ride in restricted areas. Know the local rules and regulations before your trip.
• Give the right-of-way to other trail and road users: hikers, horses, vehicles. Obey all rules of the road.
• Stop, dismount, and move off the trail and downhill when encountering horses. Take care not to startle the horses, by gently talking to the riders.
• Ride in control. Decrease speed when going downhill. Be prepared to stop at all times.
• Stay on the road or trail. Do not cut across trail switchbacks or damage forest vegetation.
• For safety, wear a helmet and gloves. Carry a repair kit and pump, water, food, extra clothes, first aid kit, and map.
• Check weather, road, and trail conditions by visiting or calling the closest ranger station or visitor center.

Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542)
Heather Meadows / North Fork Nooksack

• Canyon Ridge Trail #689
  Open to bicycles August 1 to November 1

Mountain Loop Scenic Byway
Access from either Darrington or Granite Falls

• Trail to the Old Monte Cristo Townsite

US Highway 2
Skykomish area east to Stevens Pass

Below are some areas along the US Highway 2.

Lewis Creek Road to FS Road #6022
This gated, gravel road is closed to motorized vehicles, on the north side of Heybrook Ridge east of the town of Index. Climb an elevation gain of 1040 feet, over a distance of 2.0 miles up a gravel road to Heybrook Lookout. The road travels through an old replanted clearcut, which affords a scenic view of Index Town Wall (not included in the vista from Heybrook Lookout). Pass by waterfalls cascading from Lewis Creek. Once on the ridgetop, you can connect to FS #6022 which leads down the south side of Heybrook Ridge. Elevation change is more gradual on the south side of the ridge, at 940 feet over a distance of 3.8 miles. The endpoint is at the gated entrance of FS #6022, just off US Highway 2 at milepost 39.5. A one-way trip requires two vehicles, each parked at each end of the route.

Directions: Drive US Highway 2 to milepost 35.5 and turn north at the Index turnoff. Proceed to the North Fork Skykomish River Road (FS #63). Drive 1.8 miles to the Lewis Creek Road (past the third bridge over Lewis Creek) where a small lot is available for parking. The road is gated, but only closed to motorized vehicles.

Index-Galena Road (FS Road #63)
Flood damage waiting for repair keeps this road closed to the general public in motorized vehicles, however, the road is easily traveled on mountain bike. The road is gated just east from Index (elevation 850 feet) where FS #63 is washed out. The best approach to FS #63 is over Jack Pass via Beckler Road (FS #65) to Garlard Mineral Springs, elevation 1650 feet. Garland Mineral Springs is on private property. The near-seven mile stretch between gates on FS #63 is paved, in various states of disrepair. The forest here varies from dense to open along the route, following North Fork Skykomish River and opening occasionally to views of Bear Mountain.

Directions: Drive US Highway 2 to just west of milepost 50 and turn north on Beckler Road (FS #65). Proceed to the junction of FS #65 and FS #63. Go straight on FS #63 and continue 0.7 miles to the gate. Park here, taking care to not block the flow of local residents permitted to enter the area. This road is the access to unpaved Salmon Creek and Silver Creek Roads for more challenging biking options, but please respect private property owners' No Trespassing signs on the numerous spur roads.

Baring Mountain Road (FS Road #6028)
This gravel road travels steeply through old replanted clear-cuts, providing great views of Palmer and Philadelphia Mountains to the south. Catch more views to the east from the top of the road at an old logging landing. The road past the #120 spur enters dense forest and becomes very rugged, not passable for motorized vehicles. Distance one way from the highway to the ridgetop is 4.0 miles, over an elevation gain of 1480 feet.

Directions: Drive US Highway 2 to milepost 43.5, just east of the town of Baring. Turn north on FS #6028. There is a wide shoulder on the left available for parking a short distance up the road.

Money Creek Road (FS Road #6420)
Money Creek Campground is on this route, a good camping spot to take in many recreational opportunities in the area as well as biking. Families or groups with two vehicles can use one vehicle to shuttle bikes and riders to Lake Elizabeth and then coast this infrequently used stretch of gravel road downhill. Use FS #6410 road junction as an endpoint, or ride all the way to the campground, where traffic is a bit heavier. Total distance between lake and campground is 8.0 miles with an elevation drop of 2000 feet.

Directions: Drive US Highway 2 to just west of the highway tunnel at milepost 46. Turn south onto Old Cascade Highway (the turnoff for Money Creek Campground). Drive for 1.0 mile, then turn right onto Miller River Road (FS #6410). Continue 100 yards and turn right onto Money Creek Road (FS #6420). Drive 6.9 miles to Lake Elizabeth.

Old Stevens Pass Highway (FS Road #6099)
Old Stevens Pass Highway is an infrequently-used, mostly paved road (rough in spots with gravel patches). Originally built by the Forest Service to transport fire guards to into the National Forest at Stevens Pass, the road was eventually taken over by the state and improved as a cross-Cascade highway. The route generally follows current Highway 2, but takes more twists and turns typical of an old mountain highway. A bicycle-only bridge prevents use of this road as a through-route to motor vehicles. The end point is at US Highway 2 milepost 64.4. Distance is 6.5 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1800 feet. An ideal family outing with a downhill-coast ride, starting from the highpoint of the road.

Directions: Drive US Highway 2 to the north turnoff at mile marker 58.7 for the route’s lowpoint access, or the north turnoff at mile marker 64.4, the route’s highpoint. If you park at the lowpoint access, find a spot on the shoulder beyond the Cascade Tunnel entrance, to stay above the periodic tunnel venting.

Interstate 90 Corridor
North Bend area east to Snoqualmie Pass

Below are some areas along the Interstate 90 Corridor.

COLD CREEK ROAD 9070
From the ski area parking lot, turn right and go downhill on paved road (Hyak Dr. E.). Stay on main road, past chalets on right, Iron Horse Trail on left; go through gate, go around the sewer lagoon to views out over Keechelus Lake. Continue up the Cold Creek drainage, sometime in forest, sometime across open slopes to Windy Pass with views to surrounding peaks. Roads beyond the pass are on private land. 5 miles one way, 1200 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to exit 54. Turn right at end of ramp. Cross Highway 906. Go through 3-way stop on Hyak Dr. E. (paved road). Go straight ahead into gravel parking lot for ski area. DO NOT PARK IN CONDO PARKING LOT.

HYAK LAKE ROAD 9070-110
From the parking lot, go back to 3-way stop and turn left into Hyak Estates (private residential community) on Snoqualmie Dr. E. Follow this paved road uphill through a switchback to the right of the ski hill. At the beginning of the second switchback, turn sharp left at the yield sign onto Innsbruck Drive; then turn right onto Road 9070-110, which becomes a gravel road. Please respect private property owners' rights. 2.5 miles one way, 1000 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to Exit 54. Turn right at end of ramp. Cross Highway 906. Go through 3-way stop on Hyak Dr. E. (paved road). Go straight ahead into gravel parking lot for ski area. DO NOT PARK IN CONDO PARKING LOT.

LENNOX CREEK ROAD 57
Follow Road 57, the Lennox Creek Road, in the bottom of a scenic gorge. Hiking trail access to Bare Mountain and Lennox Creek trails. 6 miles one way, 1500 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to exit 31. Turn left at end of ramp. Go to the third stoplight and turn right on North Bend Way. At the car dealership, turn left on Ballarat Street. Go 4.2 miles to junction. Turn left (uphill) on North Fork County Road. Drive 16.2 miles to the Forest boundary, where the North Fork County Road becomes Forest Service Road 57.

NORTH FORK ROAD 5730
Follow Forest Service Road 57 to the junction of Roads 57 and 5730. Bike Road 5730 for 4 miles to road end. Views of local peaks, and side roads to explore. 4 miles one way, 1000 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to exit 31. Turn left at end of ramp. Go to the third stoplight and turn right on North Bend Way. At the car dealership, turn left on Ballarat Street. Go 4.2 miles to junction. Turn left (uphill) on North Fork County Road. Drive 16.2 miles to the Forest boundary, where the North Fork County Road becomes Forest Service Road 57.

QUARTZ CREEK ROAD 5640
Bike the Taylor River Road to a junction at 0.3 mile. The left fork enters the Quartz Creek drainage, climbing to views of Garfield Mountain and the Middle Fork valley. 3 miles one way, 1600 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to exit 34. Turn left at the end of the ramp. Continue about 0.5 mile to the Lake Dorothy Road (Middle Fork Road 56). Turn right. Drive 12.4 miles to junction of Forest Service Roads 56 and 5640. Continue straight ahead on Rd. 5640 for 0.2 mile, parking near the gate. NORTHWEST FOREST PASS REQUIRED.

TAYLOR RIVER ROAD 5640-101
From the Taylor River parking area, cross the river on the bridge, following the abandoned road 6 miles up the valley to road end and hiking trail access. Road passes numerous creeks and offers views of the surrounding mountains. 6 miles one way, 600 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to exit 34. Turn left at the end of the ramp. Continue about 0.5 mile to the Lake Dorothy Road (Middle Fork Road 56). Turn right. Drive 12.4 miles to junction of Forest Service Roads 56 and 5640. Continue straight ahead on Rd. 5640 for 0.2 mile, parking near the gate. NORTHWEST FOREST PASS REQUIRED.

UPPER MIDDLE FORK ROAD 56
Beginning at the Taylor River parking area, bicycle 0.2 mile back to the junction. Proceed left on the Middle Fork Road, riding through forest, along the river, and climbing to views near the road end at Hardscrabble Creek. 12 miles one way, 1800 feet elevation gain.

Directions: Drive I-90 eastbound to exit 34. Turn left at the end of the ramp. Continue about 0.5 mile to the Lake Dorothy Road (Middle Fork Road 56). Turn right. Drive 12.4 miles to junction of Forest Service Roads 56 and 5640. Continue straight ahead on Rd. 5640 for 0.2 mile, parking near the gate. NORTHWEST FOREST PASS REQUIRED.

MIDDLE FORK TRAIL #1003
Mountain bike use on this trail will be permitted seasonally with actual opening and closing dates dependent upon sustainable trail conditions as determined by the Forest Service. Mountain bike use is allowed on this trail on odd-numbered calendar days. Check the trail guide for directions and trail description.

State Route 410 - Mather Memorial Parkway
White River Area to Crystal Mountain

The White River area of the Snoqualmie Ranger District features the Evans Creek ORV area and about 70 miles of other trails open to motorcycles and off road vehicles. See below for trails where bicycles are allowed.

• Crystal Mountain Trail #1163
• Buck Creek Trail #1169
• Grass Mountain Trail #1170
• Christoff Trail #1171
• Divide Trail #1172
• Dalles Ridge Trail #1173
• Naches Trail #1175
• Frog Mountain Trail #1180
• Suntop Trail #1183
• Noble Knob Trail #1184
• Silver Creek Trail #1192
• Skookum Flats Trail #1194
• Cloquhoun Peak Trail #1195
• Deep Creek Trail #1196
• Ranger Creek Trail #1197
• Palisades Trail #1198
• White River Trail #1199
• Dalles River Trail #1162.1

US Forest Service - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 28 October 2008 at 17:27:48 EDT