The Leavenworth, Cashmere and Wenatchee area is full of amazing mountain bike trails, but here are just a few of the best.
Ski Hill:
Right here in Leavenworth, we have the Ski Hill trail system. With beginner trails that are only half a mile long, to advanced double black diamond rides that are twenty plus miles long round trip, and include thirty-foot jumps, the Ski Hill bike area has a lot to offer. I like Ski Hill for shorter, less challenging rides, which can easily be done on a weekday evening after school.
Avid rider, freshman Trail Heyl relates that his, “favorite Ski Hill trail is Lower Ribbed because it’s kind of hard, but it’s flowy; you can go fast, and it has big jumps.” “Ribbed” is located within the Ski Hill trail system and is rated as a double black diamond by Trailforks, a trail map and management system for outdoor enthusiasts. He also stated, “I would recommend ‘Rosie Boa’ to anyone who has never ridden here before, because it is easier but still flowy and fun.” Rosie Boa, otherwise known as Rosy, is one of the state's most popular trails. Junior Tonio Aurilio, also recommends Rosy because it is, “well marked and easy access.”
Tres Hombres:
Another local favorite bike trail is Tres Hombres. Tres can be found in Peshastin, on the ridgeline above Derby Canyon. It can be easily shuttled via Derby Canyon Road, or you can enjoy a 4.5 mile ride up a dirt road. This trail is nine miles round trip, with 2,000 feet elevation gain. Tres is one of my favorite local trails. The views are amazing and exposed ridgelines with huge jumps and berms also make the trail exceptional. I wouldn’t recommend it to more beginner riders, but more advanced riders will want to give this trail a try. Downhill mountain bike racer, junior Olen Johnson is a particular fan of ‘Tres’ stating that it is, “My favorite trail in the valley and is great practice for my downhill races.” Tres has a lot to offer, from its 30-foot gap jump near the top of the trail, to the road gap big enough to fit a car under, to techy sections with rocks and roots. Whether you are a person for tech, or big G-out berms (huge berms that you can go fast through) and jumps, this trail has it all!
Xanadu:
Xanadu is also in Peshastin and can be seen while riding down Tres on the next ridgeline over. The trail is 7 miles round trip with 1,650 feet elevation gain. Xanadu is another local favorite because of its diversity. It starts out with tech and rock rolls and ends with flow. The only downside to Xanadu is that it cannot be shuttled, because there is a gate at the bottom of the road, and you must pedal to the top. Other than that, Xanadu is outstanding. Aurilio, a life-time rider of local trails, informs us that, “Xanadu is my favorite trail because it’s raw, difficult and has good views.” Xanadu is well known for its giant rock roll and techy sections. Cascade teacher Jamie Krejci, herself a veteran rider stated, “Xanadu is full of slow techy sections and has a really cool big sandstone slab but ends with mindless flow that you can just float through.” If a mixed ride is your kind of riding, this is the perfect trail for you!
Squilchuck:
There are also a couple more, cool trail systems just outside of town in Wenatchee. Squilchuck State Park is located eight miles south of Wenatchee, just below Mission Ridge. Sqiulchuck has twenty total miles worth of trails and 761 feet elevation gain. Squilchuck has more beginner trails to offer with nine greens, five blues and only one black diamond. It also features a skills park with two-foot jumps, seven-foot tabletops, a classroom area, simple rock gardens, and a dual slalom pump track. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance plans to expand the skills park by building more expert jumps in the future. Squilchuck contains more cross-country type trails than downhill. If you are riding for more of a workout and less of an adrenaline rush, Squilchuck is perfect for you. When asked about Squilchuck, Krejci stated, “Squilchuck is not as exciting or diverse, it’s better for hot laps.”
Sage Hills:
Sage Hills is another trail system in Wenatchee. From the intersection of Wenatchee Avenue and Horselake Road at the north end of Wenatchee, drive west on Horselake Road. After about a mile the pavement ends, and you can use a pullout on the right to park. It boasts more beginner and intermediate terrain than the Leavenworth area. With an outstanding 54 total miles of trails and over 3,000 feet vertical elevation, you'll never get bored. “Sage Hils has more cross country and is a good workout,” detailed Krejci.
The Wenatchee Valley has something for everyone who wants to mountain bike. For the beginner, there are plenty of easier trails to get the hang of things; for the experienced thrill seeker, there are multiple trails to stay entertained. So, get out and ride!
Leave a comment below: What trail is your favorite? Why?
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