Table of Contents

• The Trail Less Traveled ...
• Where to Find the Best Mountain Biking

The Trail Less Traveled...
Article and photo by Josh Swain

Our region features several mountain biking meccas with well-developed trail systems. Nelson and Rossland, B.C., come to mind, as do several areas around Spokane, including Minnehaha. The North Columbia region also offers several spectacular areas where the sport is just getting a toehold and the trails are lesser-ridden "diamonds in the rough."

Solitude is usually a highly prized part of human-powered backcountry outings, but seeking out less popular trails does bring the risk of less time on the bike and more time "bush whacking" and lifting bikes over unplanned obstacles. Selecting trails well suited to a rider's preferences also enhances enjoyment.

Mountain bikers fall into several general categories, each looking for different types of trail and terrain. The "down-hillers" look to huck big air and ride built stunts -- preferably with a shuttle to the top of the trail! "Cross country" riders are a hardcore lot lusting for lung-burning climbs and challenging single-track descents. And there's the "casual rider" looking to get off the pavement for a scenic rides over gentler terrain.

Mountain biking in remote areas often means you are your only support person if something goes wrong. Let someone know your itinerary and bring a map. It is much easier to miss turns and trail junctions whizzing along on a bike -- I can vouch for this! Always carry a pack with water, clothing for inclement weather, a basic bike tool kit, and a chain repair kit (type varies depending on chain). Don't forget spare tubes or patches, tire levers, and a pump -- it is a well-known "fact" that you are more likely to get flats when you don't carry these items!

A final thought regarding gear -- support your local bike shop. Shopping locally is good for communities. It is easier to bring your bike back in for service and tune ups. And let's face it -- most people who work in bike shops love to ride! You'll get knowledgeable advice and the inside dope on all the excellent rides in your backyard. That's a lot more than you're going to get at your local "box store."

Biking the Sherman Pass Area

Here are a couple rides falling into the "less frequented" category. Both rides are in the vicinity of the Sherman Pass summit on Hwy. 20 (between Republic and Kettle Falls). These US Forest Service trails are definitely multiple use -- riders are far more likely to see hikers or horses than other bikers! Sections of the trail can get pretty dusty from high use later in the season. Carry plenty of water. The Kettle Crest is pretty dry as summer progresses.

These trail descriptions are meant as an enticement. If the rides are attempted with no map or guide beyond this article, what you can expect is very little sympathy from this author when you get lost. The USGS quads for the rides described are "Sherman Peak" and "Copper Butte."

Sherman Peak: This 2-3 hour ride is a four-mile loop ride with over 1,000 feet of vertical that links the Kettle Crest Trail #13 with the Sherman Loop trail to circle Sherman Peak. The trails diverge at a bridge over a year-round creek, about one-half mile into the ride. The trails meet again on the south side in the saddle between Sherman and Snow Peak. I've done this ride both directions and recommend climbing on the Loop Trail (traversing under the north face and climbing the west shoulder) and returning along the east face of Sherman Peak via Trail #13. This direction offers the best sustained climb with fewer sections requiring the ever-so-humbling bike push.

The descent along the east slopes of Sherman offers incredible vistas. There is less time for gawking at scenery as the trail drops through the saddle and into the northeast basin. This is the crux of the ride with fun switchbacks, rocks, rutted sections of trail, and enough vertical descent for a thorough brake check! Watch your speeds and be on the lookout for other users -- remember bikers must yield! The only bad part of the ride is getting back to the bridge before you're ready to be done. Savor the last morsels of the ride by retracing your route from here through the switchbacks back down to the highway. Or take another lap!

Copper Butte: This is an excellent half-day ride in the 10 mile range (if shuttled) with lots of vertical! The ride can be done as a 15-mile loop from the Albion Hill Road (about four miles east of the pass), but requires a slog up the highway or up a secondary trail. Neither option is a fitting prelude to this wonderful ride. So take a page from the "down-hillers" playbook: Go with a friend and shuttle a vehicle to the pass.

From the parking area at the top of Sherman Pass, head north on Kettle Crest Trail #13. The trail gains about 400 feet, winding up through forest with fun switchbacks and nice views. The next few miles are a rolling traverse along the southwest slopes of Columbia Mountain and Jungle Hill.

Now the ride gets gnarlier. A quick descent of about 500 feet leads into the steep draw between Jungle Hill and Wapaloosie Ridge. Avoid the feeder trail heading down the draw to the west. The next mile and a half is a demanding climb up Wapaloosie.

The junction with Jungle Hill trail is right in the middle of an old campsite just after an obvious spring. This will take you back down to the Albion Hill Road. Lower your seat and get ready for the three-and-a-half mile descent guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.

A Note on Biking Etiquette: When planning rides on lesser-known trails, be sure to determine land ownership. Always obtain permission to ride on private property. Trespassing gives all bikers a bad name and can severely limit future access. On public lands and developed trail systems, make sure the trail is designated for use as a bike trail Many trails are closed to bikes. On most multiple use trails, bikers must yield to hikers and horses for safety reasons. It's a good practice to follow for helping ensure access and good relations with other users.

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Where to find the Best Mountain Biking

Sh-h-h! Don't tell anyone, but hundreds of miles of trails, dirt roads, and old logging roads crisscross the forests of our area. Why, in the Colville National Forest alone lie thousands of acres of lush valleys, rocky peaks, and green forests of all descriptions. And the great part of it is that not all that many people are using the region, so it's easy to get off the beaten track and have entirely to yourself miles of country as pretty as any you'll find in the Mountain West. And that adds up to an absolute paradise for mountain bikers.

A quick look at any topo map of the region will show you dozens of back country roads and single track trails worth mountain biking, but let's hit the highlights with a couple of suggestions culled from avid bikers in the area.

Kid Easy: A great way to introduce younger kids to the sport is to start off easy with an afternoon at Old Kettle. Located 2.5 miles east of Kettle Falls near the Kettle Falls Marina, this trail offers easy access and a flat, wide trail that's kind to beginners. Park in the south lot at the marina and bike to the swings and back, or park at the swimming area and go the other way. If you bring kites and picnic lunch, you can make a day of it.

Family Outings: For step up in difficulty (without overdoing it) and more scenery, try the trails at the Little Pend Oreille Lakes. Located about 26 miles east of Colville on Highway 20, these little jewels are the center for outdoor recreation in the area. Park at the trailhead on the south side of Lake Thomas. Trails are well-marked. Or, try the loop trails at Sherry and Frater Lakes which are designated for non-motorized use. The trailhead for Sherry Lake is well-marked 23.5 miles east of Colville. Frater Lake is 5.5 miles further east of Sherry.

Serious Biking: Don't overlook Colville Mountain on the northern edge of that town which offers varied terrain, good elevation climbs, great vistas, and easy access. You'll find some steep sections here. But the hands down favorite of serious mountain bikers is Trail 13, the Kettle Crest Trail. Calling it "a gnarly mountain bike trail," the Six Packs, a mountain biking club from British Columbia which has biked all over North America, thinks this trail offers the best biking anywhere. Running near the top and along the ridges of the scenic Kettle Crest, the trail offers miles of peaks, forests, meadows, and amazing views. Not for the flat-lander, the trail offers a challenge for even the most fit, but the ride and the mountain experience more than pay back the energy the biker invests in the trip. Access is either from the pass at Sherman Peak on Highway 20 between Kettle Falls and Republic, or from the pass on Boulder Creek Road between Orient and Curlew.

These, and hundreds of other trails, offer mountain bikers a variety of interesting and fun routes from easy to difficult. Remember to yield to slower traffic on those trails, and don't forget your water bottle, maps, and helmet!

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