We are super excited to team up with Friends of Capitol Forest and return home to where the first ever enduro was held in WA state back in 2012. Always a racer's favorite, the Capitol Forest course is a great mix of old school natural - fast and fun multi-mix moto and MTB purpose trails.
Category Stage Order: Pro and Expert: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Sport: 4, 1, 2, 5 Youth and Beginner: 4 and 5 (start at C-LINE Rd and GREENLINE Trail Junction)
Main Venue Staging Area: FALL CREEK DAY USE AREA
Transfer 1: Racers will leave FALL CREEK DAY USE AREA and climb to CAPITOL PEAK via Rd 6000 > C-Line > C7000 > CAPITOL PEAK Access Rd.
Capitol Peak Trail starts from the top of Capitol Peak (2659ft) and descends into the most technical part of the course... A rocky section that has seen some work over the last couple years to make it more sustainable and stable. This section is relatively short but can wreck havoc on wheels if not careful. The stage continues on Twin Peaks Trail where the middle section is a new reroute that has never been raced before. It is fast and loose and will take you to the finish. Estimated time 8-10 minutes.
Transfer 2: Coast down Rd8200 and take a left on an unnamed spur road. Then it's a short, easy climb to the start of stage 2.
This stage starts a great moto berm that slingshots you into one of the most fun trails in Capitol Forest complete with a "MTB only" reroute. The stage will end at the junction of Twin Peaks Trail and Waddell Basin West Trail. Estimated time 5.5 - 7 minutes.
Transfer 3: Climb out of the bottom of the basin on the Waddell Basin West Trail to the Quarry Trail. Follow the Quarry Trail to the C-Line. SPORT RACERS WILL GO RIGHT to stage 4 (Little Larch Mt) and PRO/EXP RACERS WILL GO LEFT to Stage 3 (McKenny Trail)
Stage 3: McKenny Trail Pro/Expert - This descent is a local favorite. It is fast, narrow and has switchbacks that come at you fast; not to mention a gut punch climb in the middle. Estimated time 7-10 minutes.
Pro/Exp Transfer - After the stage finish continue on trail just a few meters and stay right at the Y and this will take you back to C-6000. Climb up to the Stage 4 (Little Larch Mt.)
Stage 4: Little Larch Mountain Trail Descend the first MTB specific trail built in Capitol Forest. Yes, there will be flow, berms and jumps and non-mandatory drops... After the second road crossing you will enter a clearcut; at the Y in the trail go right and the finish will be before you hit the road. Estimated time 4 - 5.5 minutes.
Transfer 4: Take a right on Rd6000 and climb up to the C-Line and go left. Cruise up the C-Line. You will cross the Greenline trail on a stretch of pavement... This will be the Youth and Beginner Start for stage 4. Everyone else continue up the C-Line and take the first spur road on the right; it's a hard right. Climb up the road to where the Greenline Trail crosses the road and this is the start of stage 4.
Stage 5: Greenline 6 Known by most as GL6, this trail is a "must do" with any trip to Capitol Forest. The longest stage of the day ends where everyone started, bringing you full circle with an exciting finish in the main venue area. Estimated time 12 - 15.5 minutes. Estimated Race Time: 30-40 minutes
Rode April 30th top to bottom.
The upper section from trail start through the first set of switchbacks is open-ish. Once you get below the switchbacks, you’ll need to follow the directions below, bail out onto C-4010 and pick the trail back up after it crosses the road.
After that, everything is running great. Some muddy/tacky patches if you’re in the deep woods. Everything with even a touch of sun exposure is nice and dry.
Rode it again on Monday. Still generally in great shape, however trail crews from FOCF are out reworking the third section (after you cross the second road). It looks like it will be fun, but until it’s done and buffer out, recommend you go down the alternate climbing route.
To get there, either turn right at the second road, or take an immediate right on the trail just after you leave the road. Either way, you’ll get to a large gravel pile. Trail is behind that. Turn left back towards the road after being on the climbing trail for a second, then dive back into the woods on LL
Large tree down across trail (8" diameter), blocking trail right before the intersection of Lost Valley when headed down the hill towards Fall Creek. Moist ground with a few muddy puddles. The worse puddles seemed to be on the first half to the intersection with Mima Trail/Lost Valley in the opening. That tree at 45° on the ground is about 1/3 of the way along the trail. It can be rode around but should be removed as could be a hazard if coming downhill and not looking far enough ahead or if it's dark.
