If this is the correct location, click "Save Point" below or type the nearest location (country, city, Zip, or land mark) and the map will pan over to the location if the location is found.
You start with a ~8 mile fire road climb, then single track, the first section v. steep. Take left at top, then follow ridge line-trail 1448, passing spur trails. You take a left again onto trail 1226, and the fun begins. Technical ridge running, extreme exposure, and a little hike-a-bike (including .75mi or so up a talus slope). Not long after the last gunt (about 13 miles into the ride) uphill following the hike-a-bike you take a left, and start a 10 mile descent that is unrivaled in my mtb experience--far and away the best in Washington (yes, better than Devil's Gulch, Suntop, Twenty-five mile creek, Taneum Creek, and Crystal Mtn.) Enjoy. I've rated the trail Advanced, only because there are several short sections that require advanced/expert technical skills, and a lot of attention to where you are on the trail.
Drive up the west side of Lake Chelan, past 25 mile state park. Head up Shady Pass Road, aka Forest Service Road #5900. Recommend a two car shuttle, leaving the drop car at the Ramona Campground. Then drive up to Grouse Mt. Campground.
Summary: I attempted this trail twice. The first time I did not allow enough time to ride from Pot Peak trailhead to the start of the single track which is 14.5 miles up a steep grade dirt road. I got to the beggining of Devil's Backbone (start, which is near Handy Springs Campground) around 5:30 pm and decided I didn't have enough time or food. I came back three days later with a shuttle and rode Devil's Backbone to Pot Peak trail. The trail has rolling hills at the beggining, followed by technical loose rocky switchbacks, as described there is a 3/4 to 1 mile hike-a-bike section (approx 5-6 miles from beggining of Devils Backbone) over a loose rocky section. After this, Pot Peak trail (1266 as opposed to the original description) veirs off to the left. The downhill single track is quite nice, and flows well. This trail has seen a severe forest fire in 2004 and much of the lower trail is covered by low lying brush (expect an ankle whipping), also expect smaller trees to be down over the trail. I came around several blind corners to find the trail blocked by a tree. The lower switch backs were quite loose even after a heavy rain 2 days prior. The dirt composition is unexpectadly loose considering the majority of soil composition is ash, easy to have the trail sluff off underneath your front tire. I have 28" high rise handlebars and found the brush to be a big annoyance, and added difficulty. Overall still worth it, amazing views, nice single track.
Recommended Route: Drive South Shore Drive to 25 mile creek campgrnd. Take a left just after campgrnd and Drive 3-4 miles up Forest Service Road 5900, take left towards Pot Peak trailhead. Park at Pot Peak trailhead, ride back to 5900 and take a left (follow signs for Grouse Mountain Camp grnd). Continue on the road (5900) past Grouse Mtn Camp grnd, Past Junior Springs Campgrnd and follow signs for Handy Springs Campgrnd. Devils Backbone beggains approx 1 mile past Handy Springs Camp Grnd. Enjoy
Other recommended trails in the same area: Devils Gulch More rideable, and in better shape
Freud Canyon Loop, Leavenworth
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: Pot Peak is located in the Chelan Mountains on the west side of the Lake Chelan drainage. It has been described as the best downhill in the state. Starting at about 6,800 feet of elevation, the trail descends for 10 miles to Ramona Park. It is single track all the way and includes rocky sections at the top along the ridgeline to sweet, buff singletrack in the lower sections. Three years ago (2003), the Pot Peak Fire devastated the area, but the trail is in good shape. Just keep your eyes open for windblown trees across the trail.
Recommended Route: You can ride up from the bottom, but the best way to do this trail is get a ride to Handy Springs and the Devil's Backbone Trailhead which will take you across the spine ridge between the Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts. The Devil's Backbone is a technical, very rocky single track that traverses this ridge between the two districts for about seven miles before reaching the Pot Peak junction. Give yourself a day and enjoy the views. They are spectacular.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Stormy Mountain to Pot Peak.
Tommy Creek Trail in the Entiat River Drainage
Echo Ridge for something really close to Chelan.
The Methow Valley.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Review Date December 2, 2000
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Jeff
, from Seattle
Summary: After to 20+ mi (3000') road grind from parking area the trail starts off quite nicely w/ little ups and downs until you come out to the exposed ridge leading to the decent before the talus slope hike a bike. When a friend and I rode this 9/24/00 we had temps in the 30's w/ grappel pelting us from 30+ mph winds during the hike-a-bike. After another quick up the descent starts and for the most part is pretty good although I don't agree with other reports that it is the best in WA. Trail was extremely overgrown in sections, but for the most part was fun w/ good speed potential and just enough technical sections that you couldn't completely zone out.
Other recommended trails in the same area: All in all not a worthwhile side trip going to or from other rides in the area, but wouldn't make it a yearly stop mostly because it alot of drving /work for little reward. As far as the car shuttle thing, I suppose it's justifiable if you 've got a bunch of weak riders or you're out for a beer drinking /partying trip. I think most avid riders would have to agree that to ride the whole thing, the 25+ miles it takes you to get to this downhill really isn't worht the effort except to say that you did it. Our riding time for 35+ mi was 5.5hrs.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Review Date October 24, 2000
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Mark
, from Redmond
Summary: Trail begins with a steep climb followed by several shorter and less steep valley traverses. Final preliminary descent before hike-a-bike uphill is switchbacks across a steep granite cliff. Tough hike up a talus slope followed by a mostly-rideable climb to the top. This is when things get good and stay that way for the next 10 miles or so. Tons of outstanding downhill, no water/mud, a couple of short climbs, but nothing excessive. Trail is at least as good as Devil's Gulch, maybe better. Trail can be ridden by anyone as long as you are willing to consider walking your bike on some of the more difficult downhill sections leading to the talus slope.
Recommended Route: As recommended in the trail description. An alternate is to drive to the beginning of the trailhead which cuts several miles of road work off of the ride.
Other recommended trails in the same area: 25 mile creek starts at the same trailhead, also good downhill action.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Review Date October 18, 2000
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Brad
, from Issaquah
Summary: The 10 mile singletrack descent makes all the hard work in getting to it way, way worth the effort. I has some friends ready to kill me after the talus slope hike-a-bike. This was rapidly replace with grins and our first break going down. It is simply awesome--as I said, best descent in Washington, and a dead heat with my all time favorite: South Fork of Bumker Creek, in the Brian's Head area of Utah.
Recommended Route: I described it, so it is what I recommend. Also, strongly advise to get Zilly's book, "Mountain Bike! Northwest Washington" and read the Pot Peak Epic description. You need to be a very, very strong rider to ride the whole fire road as Zilly describes, that's why I recommend dropping a car and starting at Grouse Mtn. Campground
Other recommended trails in the same area: Twenty five mile creek.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
(4.4 of 5)
4 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
