Twenty Five Mile Creek (Chelan)

Attractions: One of several great rides above Lake Chelan and considered by some to be one of the better rides in the state. The route as described uses roads to climb and then descends on trail. That descent is fast and furious.

Distance: About 22.5 miles

Elevation: Start 1,900 feet. Top 6,750 feet. Gain 4,850 feet.

Skill: 3 (advanced)

Fitness: 3 (advanced)

Maps. See map below for more information.

Access: From the Wenatchee Valley, drive Highway 97A toward Chelan. Take the left onto Highway 971 (Navarre Coulee Road) and drive about 30 miles to the T in the road at Lake Chelan. Go left on South Lakeshore Drive and drive to Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park. On the other side of the state park, turn left onto the road leading to Shady Pass (FS Road 5900). Drive uphill about 2.6 miles and then at the “Y” go left and in a half mile park at the Ramona/Snowberry Bowl Campground (el 1,900 feet).

Trip Description:

• Start by riding the access roads a half mile back to the “Y” described in the access information. At this Y, turn left onto FS Road 5900 and ride about 5.5 miles uphill to Grouse Mtn Campground.
• Remain on FS Road 5900 for another 6.75 miles past Grouse Mtn Campground. Then, at a saddle, turn left onto Spur 114 leading toward Handy Springs Campground and which gives access to Trail 1448 in about .35 miles.
• Follow Trail 1448 about a half mile to the top of Crescent Hill. Here, turn left on a spur trail that heads generally in an easterly direction and follows a ridge system downward. Eventually this trail reaches the North Fork of Twenty-Five Mile Creek and then follow the creek drainage back to Road 5900. In total you’ll be riding 8 or 9 miles of single track along this leg of the trip.
• Turn right on Road 5900 and follow it downhill for about .75 miles before turning right on the spur road leading back to the car at Ramona Park Campground.

Making It Easier: You need to be a fit rider to do the route as described. Technically competent but less conditioned riders can make the ride easier by dropping a shuttle car at the Ramona Park Campground and then driving Road 5900 up to the Grouse Mountain area to actually start riding.

Best Seasons: Early summer to late fall. The ride is dry and can be hot–bring lots of water.

Fees/Permits: Northwest Forest Pass required at the trailhead.

Comments:

–Posted on dirtworld.com 8/14/2006:

“This trail will be excellent – when it is maintained again. Following the Pot Peak fire 2 years ago, the trail has not been maintained (presumably to allow it time to heal) and is littered with trees that require hike-a-bike. The scrub is dense and hasn’t been trimmed back in a long time. Fingers crossed it is cleaned up soon – until then, the recommendation is to skip this one and let the terrain heal after the fire.”

Leave It Better than You Found It. This should be every user’s goal. Pick up trash left by others, pull noxious weeds along your route, throw branches over unwanted spur trails, etc.

Disclaimer. Treat this information as recommendations, not gospel. Conditions change and those contributing these reports are volunteers–they may make mistakes or not know all the issues affecting a route. You are responsible for yourself, your actions, and your safety. If you won’t accept that responsibility, you are prohibited from using our information.