32.3 miles
Distance
8,507 ft
Climb
-8,487 ft
Descent
2 miles
High Point

Heavens gate ride with Merchants Basin downhill.

Detailed Description
Angels Gate is a 32 mile moderately popular expert route located near Twisp Washington. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 17 trails. This route climbs 8,507 ft with a max elevation of 8,091 ft then descends -8,487 ft.
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24 Reviews & Comments

  • + 1
dkscott (Sep 3, 2021 at 8:18)
Trail Summit Trail
Yep, pretty beat up. Phenomenal views and landscape, but the tread is a mess. It is still a necessary link for the Angel's Staircase loops, so still worth riding.
[Reply]
  • + 1
freerideposer KCTS (Sep 27, 2019 at 7:59)
Trail Summit Trail
If you want to see what a horse blown out trail is ride this. Troughs 1.5- 2 feet deep, rooted sections 8 feet wide - what a mess. Horse sh*t.
[Reply]
  • + 0
freerideposer KCTS (Sep 26, 2019 at 9:29)
Trail Cooney Lake Trail
This is not a biking trail. And most of the trails in the Angels Staircase loop after this are not either. Don't waste your time. The best trails of the loop are lower Eagle Creek and Martin Creek that you ride in to Conney Lake. Ditch your bike at Cooney Lake, hike up to the ridge for the awesome view (and very short section of trail on the ridge), hike down and ride out on Martin Creek, Eagle Creek
[Reply]
  • + 0
freerideposer KCTS (Sep 26, 2019 at 9:29)
Trail Cooney Lake Trail
This is not a biking trail. And most of the trails in the Angels Staircase loop after this are not either. Don't waste your time. The best trails of the loop are lower Eagle Creek and Martin Creek that you ride in to Conney Lake. Ditch your bike at Cooney Lake, hike up to the ridge for the awesome view (and very short section of trail on the ridge), hike down and ride out on Martin Creek, Eagle Creek
[Reply]
  • + 1
ryansmo (Aug 11, 2019 at 18:58)
Trail Merchants Basin Trail
Don’t ride up this. It’s almost all bike pushing. And I’m fitter than the average bear.
[Reply]
  • + 1
goatzebra (Jul 12, 2019 at 6:41)
Trail Foggy Dew Trail
Good, long techy climb, fast and long descent. Paired with the Angels Staircase makes for an epicly long day that ends with an amazing ~45min descent.
[Reply]
  • + 1
goatzebra (Jul 12, 2019 at 6:41)
Trail Foggy Dew Trail
Good, long techy climb, fast and long descent. Paired with the Angels Staircase makes for an epicly long day that ends with an amazing ~45min descent.
[Reply]
  • + 2
rpinney206 (Aug 3, 2018 at 7:51)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
what's up with the trail head closure? is it just parking that is closed? Seems weird that access to the entire trail is restricted. The foggy dew entrance adds a lot of climbing to an already big day.
[Reply]
  • + 2
rpinney206 (Aug 3, 2018 at 7:51)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
what's up with the trail head closure? is it just parking that is closed? Seems weird that access to the entire trail is restricted. The foggy dew entrance adds a lot of climbing to an already big day.
[Reply]
  • + 2
rpinney206 (Aug 3, 2018 at 7:51)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
what's up with the trail head closure? is it just parking that is closed? Seems weird that access to the entire trail is restricted. The foggy dew entrance adds a lot of climbing to an already big day.
[Reply]
  • + 1
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:09)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
@rpinney206 it Appears the USFS has reopened the trailhead and trail as of Monday this week. I'm quite familiar with the route up Foggy, it's chunky in places! If you hear of anything else or talk to a ranger, please let me know so we can keep the record correct for everyone.
[Reply]
  • + 1
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:09)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
@rpinney206 it Appears the USFS has reopened the trailhead and trail as of Monday this week. I'm quite familiar with the route up Foggy, it's chunky in places! If you hear of anything else or talk to a ranger, please let me know so we can keep the record correct for everyone.
[Reply]
  • + 1
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:09)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
@rpinney206 it Appears the USFS has reopened the trailhead and trail as of Monday this week. I'm quite familiar with the route up Foggy, it's chunky in places! If you hear of anything else or talk to a ranger, please let me know so we can keep the record correct for everyone.
[Reply]
  • + 2
rpinney206 (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:44)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
@boxxerace I talked to the ranger yesterday and they said that construction didn't start because of fire danger and that the trail head is currently open. Construction will begin this Monday however so this is the last weekend it will be open, from what I was told.
[Reply]
  • + 2
rpinney206 (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:44)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
@boxxerace I talked to the ranger yesterday and they said that construction didn't start because of fire danger and that the trail head is currently open. Construction will begin this Monday however so this is the last weekend it will be open, from what I was told.
[Reply]
  • + 2
rpinney206 (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:44)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
@boxxerace I talked to the ranger yesterday and they said that construction didn't start because of fire danger and that the trail head is currently open. Construction will begin this Monday however so this is the last weekend it will be open, from what I was told.
[Reply]
  • + 1
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:52)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
That seems to jive with what I just read here: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5371608

NOTICE: Crater Creek Trailhead will be closed for trailhead improvements starting SEPTEMBER 24, 2018. The Crater Creek Trail remains open at this time, however, access will be from the Foggy Dew Trailhead starting SEPTEMBER 24.

Bummer. Up Foggy it is!
[Reply]
  • + 1
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:52)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
That seems to jive with what I just read here: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5371608

NOTICE: Crater Creek Trailhead will be closed for trailhead improvements starting SEPTEMBER 24, 2018. The Crater Creek Trail remains open at this time, however, access will be from the Foggy Dew Trailhead starting SEPTEMBER 24.

Bummer. Up Foggy it is!
[Reply]
  • + 1
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Sep 19, 2018 at 8:52)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
That seems to jive with what I just read here: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5371608

NOTICE: Crater Creek Trailhead will be closed for trailhead improvements starting SEPTEMBER 24, 2018. The Crater Creek Trail remains open at this time, however, access will be from the Foggy Dew Trailhead starting SEPTEMBER 24.

Bummer. Up Foggy it is!
[Reply]
  • + 2
jefe (May 9, 2018 at 13:58)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
Amazing scenery aside, this is one of the best descents in WA. There's that beautiful part of sharing trails motos occasionally ride where the trail actually flows for a 2 wheel thing (unlike hiking trails) and there's always just enough of a rut to give you support in every corner. The one word for this trail is FAST! You will be gaping 30 ft out off of 6 inch bumps the whole way without even trying. What a hoot the perfect end to a mega ride!... writing this I guess I should warn you not to kill anyone, be careful around blind corners (luckily most of the trail has great sightlines), don't be the dick that kills someone else's experience; it's just a few corners you have to ease up on to stay safe, life's not a race... despite what Strava tells you.
[Reply]
  • + 2
jefe (May 9, 2018 at 13:58)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
Amazing scenery aside, this is one of the best descents in WA. There's that beautiful part of sharing trails motos occasionally ride where the trail actually flows for a 2 wheel thing (unlike hiking trails) and there's always just enough of a rut to give you support in every corner. The one word for this trail is FAST! You will be gaping 30 ft out off of 6 inch bumps the whole way without even trying. What a hoot the perfect end to a mega ride!... writing this I guess I should warn you not to kill anyone, be careful around blind corners (luckily most of the trail has great sightlines), don't be the dick that kills someone else's experience; it's just a few corners you have to ease up on to stay safe, life's not a race... despite what Strava tells you.
[Reply]
  • + 2
jefe (May 9, 2018 at 13:58)
Trail Eagle Lake Trail
Amazing scenery aside, this is one of the best descents in WA. There's that beautiful part of sharing trails motos occasionally ride where the trail actually flows for a 2 wheel thing (unlike hiking trails) and there's always just enough of a rut to give you support in every corner. The one word for this trail is FAST! You will be gaping 30 ft out off of 6 inch bumps the whole way without even trying. What a hoot the perfect end to a mega ride!... writing this I guess I should warn you not to kill anyone, be careful around blind corners (luckily most of the trail has great sightlines), don't be the dick that kills someone else's experience; it's just a few corners you have to ease up on to stay safe, life's not a race... despite what Strava tells you.
[Reply]
  • + 4
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Oct 20, 2015 at 12:20)
Trail Cooney Lake Trail
Note: The advanced double diamond rating applies mostly to the last 1/4 of the trail at the top of the climb, cough, er, hike up the steep switchbacks, or descending this area. This portion of the trail is virtually un-rideable on most bikes you'd have way up here. That being said, this part of the trail is pretty safe to hike up provided you don't kick any boulders loose, hitting people below you.

So call this a "soft" double diamond trail. The rest of the trail is a mix of blue and black, including a short hike a bike at the first climb just out of Cooney Lake.
[Reply]
  • + 4
boxxerace TRAILFORKS (Oct 20, 2015 at 12:20)
Trail Cooney Lake Trail
Note: The advanced double diamond rating applies mostly to the last 1/4 of the trail at the top of the climb, cough, er, hike up the steep switchbacks, or descending this area. This portion of the trail is virtually un-rideable on most bikes you'd have way up here. That being said, this part of the trail is pretty safe to hike up provided you don't kick any boulders loose, hitting people below you.

So call this a "soft" double diamond trail. The rest of the trail is a mix of blue and black, including a short hike a bike at the first climb just out of Cooney Lake.
[Reply]





Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Twisp
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • eBike Allowed
    No
More Stats for Angels Gate mountain bike route
  • Altitude change
    20 ft
  • Altitude min
    3,568 ft
  • Altitude start
    3,568 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,586 ft
  • Grade max
    -59.5%
  • Grade min
    109.3%
  • Distance climb
    17 miles
  • Distance down
    15 miles
  • Distance flat
    2,280 ft
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Angel's Staircase
Angel's Staircase
9:16 | 366 | comments: 1 | favs: 1
Oct 11, 2020
Awesome backcountry route
HOME // Episode 2: East Side Adventure with...
HOME // Episode 2: East Side Adventure with Bryn Atkinson and Jill Kintner
5:12 | 20496 | comments: 5 | favs: 125
Jan 26, 2016
Jill and Bryn pack up the Sprinter for a weekend adventure to the Methow Valley on Washington's east side. This being a "relaxing" weekend and...

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Merchants Basin Trail
Oct 15, 2022 @ 11:16am
Oct 15, 2022
Trees down. Loads of baby heads
Summit Trail
Oct 10, 2022 @ 9:25pm
Oct 10, 2022
Eagle Lake Trail
Oct 10, 2022 @ 9:25pm
Oct 10, 2022
Angels Staircase
Oct 10, 2022 @ 9:25pm
Oct 10, 2022
Cooney Lake Trail
Oct 10, 2022 @ 9:25pm
Oct 10, 2022
more reports »
  • By nicholasvm & contributors
  • #15012 - 500 views