Review Date
October 19, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: ptmtnbiker ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is a fun and fairly technical ride. Lots of tree stumps to work over and a ton of tight turns to challenge your balance. Can easily spend an afternoon here and continually see new trail. Be prepared to get muddy (at least if riding in the Fall) and don't be afraid to attack a bunch of puddles.

Recommended Route:
Seems that the best place to park is by the coal cart - by the way what this means is there is a little area to park on the side of the west side of the road and about 25 feet south from there is a little coal cart. If coming from the north if you see the Black Diamond Bike Shop on your right you are about 1/4 mile too far. Once parked ride down the main gravel trail for a few hundred yards and then you will begin to see areas to enter the trail system on both sides. If you go all the way you will reach a "T" and then go from there.

Review Date
September 22, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Tarekith ,  Downhiller

Summary:
Having heard some good things about the Lake Sawyer trails I can say I'm not at all let down after riding there. While mostly a flat ride with only small hills up and down, the trail network is very well maintained, varied, beautiful in places, and has lots of fun stunts scattered throughout. The East side of 169 has a beautifully banked short downhill run that's loads of fun to ride. There was a nice freeride section there too, but it appears to have been torn down by the land owners according to the signs posted. Bummer, as there looked to be some really nice work done there.

The west side of 169 is mixture of lots of cool scenery, man made stunts, and a few gravel roads here and there. The tree farm areas are fun to ride though, and even though the brush is thick everywhere, the trails are not overgrown at all.

Recommended Route:
I hit the stuff on the East of 169 first, parking at the coal cart, crossing the road, and taking the trail that runs along 169 north to get to the fun downhill section. I need to explore this side of the trail system more however.

The West side I more or less just rode around lost in most of the time, heading in general directions to cover as much ground as possible. I think in 2 hours total I was able to hit a large part of the trail system. Just go explore, it's not hard to find 169 again and just folow the trails along it to get back to your car.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Tiger Mountain, St. Edward.

Review Date
March 1, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: noremac ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I'm lucky enough to live within riding distance of this the Black Diamond/Lake Sawyer trails, so my report may be a little biased....With that being said, this network of trails is awesome. There's a lot more trail than you would expect to be crammed into that area, which means everything's pretty tight and twisty. You can definitely find some spots to pick up some speed though. There's a few stunts hidden throughout the trails, which are fun. I've heard that there's been some people doing some trail work on the east side of Hwy 169, but I haven't been over there lately. I'ts pretty flat, just some rolling up's and down's. Nothing too intense.

Recommended Route:
Ed's Woods, Toy Trail, Bridges Trail.
If you're coming from Hwy 169, park at the coal car and dive in there. (the Black Diamond bike shop moved, and now it's closer to the trails....you can park there and drop into the middle of the bridges trail, out the back of the parking lot). If you're coming from the Lake Sawyer side, park at Lake Sawyer Elementary (they put up gates into the parking lot, but just park outside of the gates) and ride across the street, through the gate, and there's a few trails on the right after the gate.

Review Date
January 25, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Catherine's Dad ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
As always Lake Sawyer is in great shape. Kudos to those of you who take care of it. Part of five bridges is being developed :( What a great trail to ride when others are wet.

Recommended Route:
Go to the bike shop and buy a map. and then buy a new bike. And don't forget to bring a compass. In case you get turned around.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Buy a guide book at the Black Diamond Bike store.

Review Date
August 20, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Bill3 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
We used the Hendricks map-oh by the way-do stop in and get the ID card from the CCCP office-and found it helpful and generally instructive. As a novice rider who has spent several months exploring the different trails around the SPS area, this one is head and shoulders above the rest. The trails are technical but workable, tough but fair, and interesting and wildly varying. If you prefer the tight, dirt, root infested and nettle rich type of woody trail, this is the place for you. Both of us gave it five stars.

Recommended Route:
Park by the coal car and dive in.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Victor Falls
South Sea Tac