Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Motorized Trailbike / Dirtbike Trail Guide

The Dark Divide trails are extreme in every sense of the word

The trails can be extremely narrow, often the width of a tire. Most of the trails have extremely steep sideslopes with rocks and stumps hidden in the bushes. Hitting one of these could result in highsiding and falling down steep hillsides. It may be difficult or impossible to retrieve the bike. Riders should be realistic about their abilities, have lightweight bikes and be in good physical condition. Wear good gear, right for the weather. Even the weather can be exteme. Read up on the trails, plan a route and be realistic.

The riding season starts in late summer

Many of the trails are in high elevation areas and the snow is slow to melt out until late summer. Even the basic loop around Blue Lake is not open by the July 4th weekend.  It is common to encounter fallen trees at any time, even after the trails have been cleared out by trail crews and volunteers. The trails are challenging and very scenic. If you are going to visit the Forest and ride the trails, study the following guide carefully and choose the right trails for your group's riding ability.

License and equipment required : Motorized users (motorcycles and ATVs) need to meet the requirements of Washington State Law and Forest Service regulations.  State law requires current ORV stickers (issued by the Department of Motorized Vehicles).   Forest Service regulations require approved spark arresters.  Motorized users must stay on designated trails.

You must be "street legal" to ride the roads.

Motorcyclists using Forest Service roads must have a current state license and operator's license, wear a helmet and the motorcycle must have a headlight, tail light, brake light, horn, and left and right side mirrors.  Forest Service regulations state motorcycles must be equipped with turn signals. Each turn signal must be at least 3.5 square inches, front signals must be mounted at least 16 inches apart and the back blinkers must be mounted at least 4 inches, edge to edge from the back light. Red reflectors must be mounted pointing to the rear, red reflectors mounted at the rear pointing to both sides and amber reflectors mounted towards the front pointing to both sides.

A three- or four-wheeled ATV cannot be made "street legal" according to Washington State law.

ATV Trails on the Forest: Blue Lake Ridge Trail, Valley Trail, Middle Trail, Service Trail.

• Camping
• Courtesy & Safety While Riding
• Riding Maps
• Riding Season
• Trail Descriptions for the Blue Lake, High Lakes and Dark Divide Area
• Current trail condition

Additional information; Call Tom Savage, 360-891-5176 or email; tsavage@fs.fed.us

Volunteer trail work:

The Forest has two current ORV trail maintenance grants with the State of Washington, RCO (Recreation & Conservation Office). Part of the aggreement is that volunteers will do some of the work. You can help by volunteering.

Upcoming work parties; Trail 80, July 12th, depart from trailhead at 8:00am. No saws needed, just a strong back to roll pieces of logs off the trail. Bring tread tools if you have them. Some will be provided. RSVP to tsavage@fs.fed.us

Volunteers can sign up ahead of time by reading the Job hazard Analysis description and sending an e-mail to; tsavage@fs.fed.us. State that you have read the analysis and wish to volunteer.