Review Date
September 16, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: jesmith09 ,  Racer

Summary:
The trail has been repiared since logging.....sort of. the logged section has a trail running through it. It does not exactly follow the original route, and is much steeper with very loose soil. What was once a descent climb is now difficult because of steepness and poor traction. It is fun on the way down though. It was 90 degrees when I rode it, and once I dehydrated, the trail was a challenge. There are several short climbs that force you to push a little. I ride it as an out and back from Tarbell the picnic area to Grouse Vista. My computer read 21.6 mi. The rest of the loop isn't as cool as this section as far as i am concerned. I hate gravel road, and prefer to stay on trails. The out an back I'm describing has the steepest clams, and therefore, the best descents. this, by the way, is not a good trail to call intermediate or to get newbies a taste of mtn biking. I saw several inexperienced riders along the way who looked nearly dead and were walking the ascents.

Recommended Route:
Tarble picninc area to Grouse Vsita parking lot. Out and back.

Review Date
August 12, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: kghag ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
this was a super fun descent, but not since the logging. Not sure if they trail will be restored or re-routed when logging complete.

Recommended Route:
out and back from the horse camp until the trail ends at the logging site

Review Date
November 2, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: downhellrdr ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
What a great trail. Filled with alot of technical sections, great views and fast downhills. The only price is a long 5.5 mile ride all uphill on a gravel road, but the payoff is worth it. One challenge at the end is a river crossing that was a little fast and deep in late October. Great fun!

Review Date
October 23, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: OffRoadRoadie ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Rode as a loop from Rock Creek CG, climbed up gravel road 1200 to Grouse Vista (@ 6 miles) then rode Tarbell all the back to Rock Creek CG, @ 21 miles total, 3 hours with a couple of short breaks. Ride this trail after June and before the big rains hit.

Fall rains have already hit the Cascades, so this trail was hit hard with rain (10/23/05). The upper section (Grouse Vista to Tarbell CG) was sweet, fir nettle covered single track with prefect traction and just a few muddy patches. I saw logging signs (posted signs of upcoming logging) below Hidden Falls; ride this trail now before the clear cuts expose the trail to erosion.

Skip the section of trail between Tarbell CG and Rock Creek CG during early spring and late fall, the horse traffic tears it up and the spring/fall rains turn it into a muddy mess.

Options: Start at the Tarbell CG and ride up the trail to Grouse Vista and back (@16-18 miles of single track), or climb up the Silver Star via one of the old 4X4 trails and loop back on Tarbell.

Recommended Route:
Spring/late fall; Start at Tarbell CG and ride Tarbell as an out-n-back. Summer or early fall; Start at Rock Creek CG and climb to Grouse Vista on FS gravel road, Tarbell TH is at Grouse Vista (South Side). Follow trail back to Rock Creek.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Three Corner Rock
Bells Mtn Trail (Summer and early Fall)
Lots of old 4x4 double track and motorcycle trails near Rock Creek and Cold Creek CG that can fun exporing. Maps at DNR web site.

Review Date
June 26, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: econaut ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
First 3/4 of this trial was fun, a good workout with the initial climb and some fun smooth downhill. However, last 1/4 back to Rock Creek Campground really sucked with extremely muddy sections that were completely torn-up by horses. Maybe I just caught this trail at the wrong time??