Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Mountain Biking Trails?
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February 10, 2014 at 6:52 pm #610421
HomerParticipantHello fellow trail riders. Are there any decent and close mountain biking trails in West Seattle? Preferably a bit more north but anywhere in the area is good. Itching to dust off the old bike and give it a go again but can’t find much around…
February 10, 2014 at 10:19 pm #804231
helihuParticipantI haven’t been mountain biking in a while, but the closest formal trails I can think of are in the South SeaTac complex: http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:South_SeaTac. And the I-5 Colonnade Park, of course. http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:I-5_Colonnade
Can’t think of anything encouraged in West Seattle.
February 10, 2014 at 10:23 pm #804232
biankatParticipantFebruary 10, 2014 at 11:07 pm #804233
skeeterParticipantGood news and bad news. I’ll start with the bad. There is only one place in the Seattle City limits that has legal mountain bike riding trails. I-5 Colonnade. (Link in post #2.) I’ve never ridden there but I hear it is for more advanced riders.
The good news is that’s about to change. Just a few weeks ago the Seattle Parks adopted a new policy to allow new mtn bike trails to be built in Seattle City Parks. The first will be the Beacon Bike Park in Cheasty Greenspace. I’m super excited and can’t wait to give it a try. I think trail construction starts this summer. The preliminary design calls for a 1.5 miles cross-country loop.
http://www.beaconbikepark.com/the-skinny.html
My guess is if this project goes well, there will be future mtn bike trails in Seattle City Parks. There has been talk of a mtn bike park/trails in West Duwamish Greenbelt. That would be awesome for West Seattle.
Outside of the city limits… I have been riding in several of the places in the evergreen website. If you make it over to Kitsap Peninsula, Banner Forest has excellent trails for beginners/intermediate riders. Tapeworm in Renton is good but I kinda got lost out there and the trails were a little too challenging for me. Just two weekends ago I went riding in South SeaTac park. I had an excellent time. Lots of fun trails for beginner/intermediate riders. South SeaTac park is quite close. I recommend it if you are a beginner/intermediate. If you’re advanced you’ll likely be very bored.
http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:South_SeaTac
Have fun and good luck!
February 10, 2014 at 11:28 pm #804234
HomerParticipantThanks! Yeah, mainly just looking for trails that are not paved and have some decent scenery…such as if you could bike in Schmitz Park, etc. Don’t need jumps or things like that, just a wooded or nice non-paved path.
February 11, 2014 at 3:25 pm #804235
velo_nutParticipantIf you are just looking for trails you will be disappointed with the park under I5. My advice is to head to South Seatac trails
http://trails.evergreenmtb.org/wiki/Trail:South_SeaTac
While not popular with the folks here, I like to do morning spins in Lincoln and Jack Block parks as they offer great stair workouts too.
February 11, 2014 at 4:46 pm #804236
skeeterParticipantVelo_Nut – do you ride a mountain bike on the unpaved trails in Lincoln Park? I do that sometimes too but I can’t figure out if it is legal or not. I even sent an email to the Parks department and they never responded.
February 11, 2014 at 4:48 pm #804237
skeeterParticipantI second the recommendation for South SeaTac. The trails are very enjoyable. You can stay busy for an hour or so.
February 11, 2014 at 10:20 pm #804238
trickycooljParticipantFor an outside of West Seattle adventure, try the John Wayne Trail in Iron Horse State Park. It’s the old Milwaukee railroad so it’s a very minimal grade and very decent gravel to ride on with amazing views, especially in September/October. There is also a 2 mile train tunnel (unlit bring lots of lights and a jacket) which is a refreshing escape in hot summer months. You can ride from North Bend to Hayak, or you can park cars at each end so you can ride down if uphill is too much on the joints. The 20mile downhill stretch is easy, you barely have to pedal. Pack a picnic lunch, there are several spots to pull off and have a snack!
February 11, 2014 at 10:48 pm #804239
skeeterParticipanttrickycoolj I have a new purpose in life. To bike that trail. Would anyone be interested in going with me this spring/summer when the weather is agreeable?
February 12, 2014 at 1:30 am #804240
trickycooljParticipantThe tunnel tends to open late season after the snow melts. Theres a few rock climbing spots along the trail where you’ll see people practicing as well as XC skiing in the winter!
February 12, 2014 at 4:06 pm #804241
skeeterParticipantOkay I’ll do it later in the season then. I’m thinking May. Looks insanely fun. Most of my biking is so urban this would be a nice change.
February 12, 2014 at 5:19 pm #804242
PangolinPieParticipantI’d love to bike that trail!
February 12, 2014 at 5:23 pm #804243
velo_nutParticipantSkeeter – To tell you the truth, I dont care if it is or isnt. I just make sure not to be a nuisance to pedestrians. If no one is there I can bomb a trail (usually when its really crappy weather) but during the nice days I’ll stay away from the busier areas.
February 12, 2014 at 9:37 pm #804244
skeeterParticipantThat sounds like a good strategy velo_nut. I really enjoy riding on trails so I sometimes cruise around Lincoln Park. Like you, I try to avoid pedestrians or slow way down. No need to be a hazard. The narrower trails rarely have hikers. Keep an eye out for me. I have a Scott Scale.
February 13, 2014 at 4:50 am #804245
velo_nutParticipantI’m either on a 29er single speed or a Blue Norcross Cross bike. Most likely in. Cyclocrossracing.com Kit. Feel free to yell.
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