Blue Up, Black Down! route

If you are an advanced to expert rider, and can handle any level of trail, I don’t GAF if you think this is XC, or blue, or even green. Trail ratings are only tangentially there for you. For example, Olallie is green, but it’s also a blue if you’re going faster than 20mph which is easily achievable. The PRIMARY reason trail ratings exist is so that people who do not have the skills to ride a particular trail, don’t. The last thing you want is low intermediate rider deciding to ride a trail based on rating, and having a terrible experience, or worse, a bad digger. We get it. You’re a badass. Nobody cares. But an intermediate rider is not going to have fun on this trail, or get hurt. It’s balack for them.

Only trace amount of snow with good traction and fun fast flow.

About 6” of snow at the top off trail. The trail was not too bad, but definitely a slow cautious ride.

1st time at Tiger yesterday and I found this to be perfect for my skill level. I have never hit any tech nearly this gnarly, I'm surprised to see people complaining about flat turns. Watch some youtube and work on your flat cornering skills my fellow shredders. This is up there with being my favorite tech trail behind The Legend. I honestly thought this is a solid blue coming from someone who hasn't hit nearly any tech trails (flows really well too). Definitely a must ride for confident 1st timers at Tiger!

First, about this trail: I'm an intermediate rider (OTG, CE, and Super-T are totally fine for me, NOTG and EBAD are "hard" but doable), and this one is super hard for me, but other than the waterfall and the roll down to the service road, it's all "rowdy, but awesome" - everything rollable (with care).

If you can do EBAD and NOTG, you can do this, if you're careful - just scope things out before you dive in, and skip around any section that seems just too nuts. Hopefully at some point soon, I'll have the skills / dexterity to traverse the waterfall without crashing, and I'll have nuts to try the roll/drop down to the road.

About the trail *description* above: not sure why we need to compare this to Bellingham or Squamish: it's clearly harder than any single black diamond on Tiger or Raging River (although perhaps upper PT has a section two which is comparable), so even if it's "a black diamond with 2 double black features, at 1.6 miles of that, calling it a double black makes total sense. Also: why say whether "most people wear a half lid"? Some people (like me) *only* wear a full face, whenever riding downhill trails. No need to make people feel like they're "badder-ass" if they ride this on a hard-tail with a half-lid.

(I do stand by my earlier review/comment that splitting out Lower Predator into it's own trail that's single black would make sense. Only the roll-in is hard (but still easier than either the waterfall or the roll-down onto the road), but nothing else on that last lower section warrants more caution than e.g. EBAD or NOTG)

First, about this trail: I'm an intermediate rider (OTG, CE, and Super-T are totally fine for me, NOTG and EBAD are "hard" but doable), and this one is super hard for me, but other than the waterfall and the roll down to the service road, it's all "rowdy, but awesome" - everything rollable (with care).

If you can do EBAD and NOTG, you can do this, if you're careful - just scope things out before you dive in, and skip around any section that seems just too nuts. Hopefully at some point soon, I'll have the skills / dexterity to traverse the waterfall without crashing, and I'll have nuts to try the roll/drop down to the road.

About the trail *description* above: not sure why we need to compare this to Bellingham or Squamish: it's clearly harder than any single black diamond on Tiger or Raging River (although perhaps upper PT has a section two which is comparable), so even if it's "a black diamond with 2 double black features, at 1.6 miles of that, calling it a double black makes total sense. Also: why say whether "most people wear a half lid"? Some people (like me) *only* wear a full face, whenever riding downhill trails. No need to make people feel like they're "badder-ass" if they ride this on a hard-tail with a half-lid.

(I do stand by my earlier review/comment that splitting out Lower Predator into it's own trail that's single black would make sense. Only the roll-in is hard (but still easier than either the waterfall or the roll-down onto the road), but nothing else on that last lower section warrants more caution than e.g. EBAD or NOTG)

For me, I also found this trail to be more blue-ish, similar to Chipmunk Rebellion in Whistler. However, I did ride it in excellent and very dry conditions. It has enough tech features to earn its black rating, if you hit them fast and high and in the wet. Regardless, it’s super fun!

Best trail at tiger for sure -- chunky, flowy, and you can just haul down everything on this trail. Get it!

Only approach from the road if you like suffering and hate fun. Trail climbs are always the better choice

Best trail at tiger for sure -- chunky, flowy, and you can just haul down everything on this trail. Get it!

Only approach from the road if you like suffering and hate fun. Trail climbs are always the better choice

Very very brushy right now, adds a lot of time to the day

The root ball from the description seems like it is supposed to have a landing (looking at older pics,) but now that's eroded away.

Whoa, what an awesome ride! It was a consistent challenge and all features pushed me but was still JUST inside my comfort zone. Suggest having your slow speed drop skills locked down.

Whoa, what an awesome ride! It was a consistent challenge and all features pushed me but was still JUST inside my comfort zone. Suggest having your slow speed drop skills locked down.

Favorite trail at tiger. Definitely some features where it’s best to turn of your brain and commit.

Favorite trail at tiger. Definitely some features where it’s best to turn of your brain and commit.

Downed tree that you need to climb over less than a quarter mile from top of the summit.

A bit wet and muddy in a few places but a blast nonetheless.

This trail was pretty muddy today. I’m mostly a progressing beginner so I stick to blue runs and found the technical features on this run a bit beyond my ability. I definitely had to walk on the super steep sharp corners and some rocky spots but there was definitely plenty of trail in between for me to have lots of fun. I’ll come back again for some more when it dries out

Super fun trail. A good mix of tech and flow. I would consider it a black trail with two double black features. Best way up to it is by climbing or walking up the road.

Super fun trail. A good mix of tech and flow. I would consider it a black trail with two double black features. Best way up to it is by climbing or walking up the road.

Can anyone remind me what the story is with the dozen or so trees that are painted with the white stripe?

Connect this with side hustle for a dream flowy ride almost back to the lot. And the Iverson cut over is way less a PIA than coming back from ET.

Trail is in good shape. Lots of fun. Just be ready to get muddy

My new favorite trail.perfect blend of speed and some features for an intermediate rider

Joy ride is one of the best trails out there pin it and tell me it's not one of the best if you can't ride the trail its all good flat turns are part of biking ? I'm confused on how you dont think this is top of the lists there is not alot of blues better sst? Atomic dog skyline? There all just as good joyride is fantastic trail and a must hit tech for days flow as well with drops and chuck. And please don't tell me what to do ok if you can't read my crap texts then leave it alone calling someone out and talking crap on a app is a bit ridiculous.

Hitting the trail the way Trailforks recommends is a lot of fun. Don’t listen to the comments. Don’t do it in the wet though. It’ll be puddle after puddle and it’s not flowy at all. Only worth doing if you are riding inside passage and want to climb up to fully rigid

Love love loved this fast trail with opportunities to get a bit of air time even as an advanced beginner.

Pretty overgrown in parts. Wear long sleeves if you don’t want to bleed from thorns.

Lots of tree stumps and rocks to pop off and practice small drops. Not a lot of fun if you like smooth and flowy. It felt like the waste of my hard earned altitude. Will skip next time.

Lots of tree stumps and rocks to pop off and practice small drops. Not a lot of fun if you like smooth and flowy. It felt like the waste of my hard earned altitude. Will skip next time.

Awkward flat turns a no rhythm at all for the first half. Gets more fun further on. Fully disagree with chunky-tech-doctor about being a top blue. And on that note, please put a little more effort into sentence formation and punctuation if you are going to make a point of reviewing a lot of trails in the area. It’s hard to take you seriously.

Honestly kind of confused about this trail. I get that they are trying to keep all the natural features such as roots, rocks, and drops but for how popular this trail is it needs way more work. Smooth out some of the flow sections, clean up the rock lines, and this trail would definitely be a 5/5

Love this trail, and make it a point to come ride it every time I come through the region. Proper tech that works well and comes to life as you get more comfortable with the speed available.

Love this trail, and make it a point to come ride it every time I come through the region. Proper tech that works well and comes to life as you get more comfortable with the speed available.

Anyone know what the trail is that swoops off to the left part of the way into Preston? It's a downhill trail with tight berms. Went all the way down to a fire road.

Anyone know what the trail is that swoops off to the left part of the way into Preston? It's a downhill trail with tight berms. Went all the way down to a fire road.

This trail is awesome! A definite double black, but not the hardest one out there by any means. Good flow with some fun steep rocky/roots drops. Ride the hardest blacks in the area to be sure this is feasible for you.

This trail is awesome! A definite double black, but not the hardest one out there by any means. Good flow with some fun steep rocky/roots drops. Ride the hardest blacks in the area to be sure this is feasible for you.

Hop onto this after East Tiger Summit Trail. Fast. 5 stars

Hop onto this after East Tiger Summit Trail. Fast. 5 stars

Awesome fast trail for beginner and intermediate riders. 5 stars

Looks like it’s fun from the Joyride end to Preston… but riding “up” interesting tech kinda … sucks. This is only a 2 way trail because there’s no other choice.

Review of Lower Predator only (for now) - awesome trail, tamer than EBAD, IMO. The entrance roll down from the road looks scary, but is straight, wide, and has good sight lines, and while I often get tripped up _somewhere_ on EBAD, by my third loop of lower Predator I was riding the whole thing cleanly (and I never messed up the entrance). Seems like maybe calling the lower part a different trail and dropping it to single black might be “area appropriate” (I have no problem with upper keeping its double status due to that lovely waterfall feature alone tho ;p ). The hardest features of EBAD, NOTG, and Legend are all comparable with the hardest part of lower Predator.

Review of Lower Predator only (for now) - awesome trail, tamer than EBAD, IMO. The entrance roll down from the road looks scary, but is straight, wide, and has good sight lines, and while I often get tripped up _somewhere_ on EBAD, by my third loop of lower Predator I was riding the whole thing cleanly (and I never messed up the entrance). Seems like maybe calling the lower part a different trail and dropping it to single black might be “area appropriate” (I have no problem with upper keeping its double status due to that lovely waterfall feature alone tho ;p ). The hardest features of EBAD, NOTG, and Legend are all comparable with the hardest part of lower Predator.

Very fun, fast, and flowy, and is always a fun start to descending on Tiger. The trail runs great when dry.

Lost my goggles on OTG, NOTG, or climbing the road from bottom of NOTG upwards. 100% goggles, black strap, black frame, clear lenses. If found please call 253-993-9020, would be greatly appreciated. Lost them on 4/22/21.

Lost my goggles on OTG, NOTG, or climbing the road from bottom of NOTG upwards. 100% goggles, black strap, black frame, clear lenses. If found please call 253-993-9020, would be greatly appreciated. Lost them on 4/22/21.

Lost my goggles on OTG, NOTG, or climbing the road from bottom of NOTG upwards. 100% goggles, black strap, black frame, clear lenses. If found please call 253-993-9020, would be greatly appreciated. Lost them on 4/22/21.

With out a dought top 5 best blues in the pwn with out a dought its got it all in the tech and flow department no jumps or drops but it's got the other stuff in the bag

Pretty fun trail when it's dry, but holds moisture more than others so if it's wet I'd not bother. When it's dry and fast there's plenty of room for creativity if you maintain speed.

Legit rating on a great trail that rewards repetition. Disclaimer: If you're not comfortable riding every other tech trail in the area at speed you may want to hold off. Rode it blind when it was wet and it was a handful but still a lot of fun. Looking forward to becoming better acquainted as it's definitely a trail that rewards exacting line choices and careful application of front brakes. Many non-intiuitive inside or middle lines are the better options so if you get the chance to ride with someone that know's the trail that's pretty ideal.

Respect to getting a trail like this sanctioned

Legit rating on a great trail that rewards repetition. Disclaimer: If you're not comfortable riding every other tech trail in the area at speed you may want to hold off. Rode it blind when it was wet and it was a handful but still a lot of fun. Looking forward to becoming better acquainted as it's definitely a trail that rewards exacting line choices and careful application of front brakes. Many non-intiuitive inside or middle lines are the better options so if you get the chance to ride with someone that know's the trail that's pretty ideal.

Respect to getting a trail like this sanctioned

I dunno about this, so over hyped felt like a waste of time. I did NOTG first and won’t be doing OTG ever again.

Uphill both ways this trail is miserable.

Recent rework has improved the flow of the trail. Ironing out a few of the awkward sections.

The drops with no landing are rough on a 26” bike. Trail was Definitely built with a super slack enduro rig in mind.

The drops with no landing are rough on a 26” bike. Trail was Definitely built with a super slack enduro rig in mind.

Absolutely one of the best trails in Washington.

This trail is loaded with obstacles, drops, off camber roots and rock gardens. There are several drops with tricky rock placement that could easily throw you off; intermediate riders may struggle conquering them all at first.
No one cares if you think it’s a blue or black; this trail is wicked fun, just go and ride it!

This is borderline XC. Black??

Did this trail for the first time last week and it is a proper double black now after years of abuse. One section in the middle alone gives this trail the red rating its unridable if you hit this trail you see what I am talking about every video I've seen people crashed there. But it was legit one of the glfunest trails I've ever done.

Did this trail for the first time last week and it is a proper double black now after years of abuse. One section in the middle alone gives this trail the red rating its unridable if you hit this trail you see what I am talking about every video I've seen people crashed there. But it was legit one of the glfunest trails I've ever done.

A trail that rewards repetition, you can ride this once (like I did), but it left me wanting to ride it at least a couple of times more. Lots of rock gardens and jumps, sometimes multiple lines. It was fun, but would be absolutely sick if I had time to learn it and ride the right lines and hit the features properly.
Can be ridden on a short travel bike, slowly, enduro bike quick, or if you really want to get SENDY, a DH bike would rule this.
As above, trail rating single black in BC - I live and ride in Whistler area.

A trail that rewards repetition, you can ride this once (like I did), but it left me wanting to ride it at least a couple of times more. Lots of rock gardens and jumps, sometimes multiple lines. It was fun, but would be absolutely sick if I had time to learn it and ride the right lines and hit the features properly.
Can be ridden on a short travel bike, slowly, enduro bike quick, or if you really want to get SENDY, a DH bike would rule this.
As above, trail rating single black in BC - I live and ride in Whistler area.

I’d call this a heavy single black, not really double black. Fun flowy trail, some steep loose bits, a few smallish drops. Maybe comparable in difficulty to Howler in Whistler.

I’d call this a heavy single black, not really double black. Fun flowy trail, some steep loose bits, a few smallish drops. Maybe comparable in difficulty to Howler in Whistler.

Definitely much more fun going north... Fun trail either way though.

This trail is quite technical as a intermediate trail. It as many rocks. You can do if you go slowly. If you are comfortable with this trail, you are ready to challenge black diamonds as well

Super sick dh trail amazing flow chunk steep gnar awesomeness

Super sick dh trail amazing flow chunk steep gnar awesomeness

The top is fun and flowy, at the split I would recommend NOTG as a much more flowy and fun descent.
The bottom part of Off The Grid has little flow and is to filled with switchbacks to flat sections.

Super fun trail, totally worth the climb, but I recommend climbing up the green trail and not the access road.

Super fun trail, totally worth the climb, but I recommend climbing up the green trail and not the access road.

Super fun descent, lots of flow but also lots of smashing over roots and rocks. Top notch trail, keeps you guessing with every turn.

I thought this was going to be an easy trail after Off The Grid. It was not so. Still has lots of obstacles, roots, rocks, tight switchbacks. Really fun overall, but just a bit harder than I was expecting for a blue.

I would definitely say this is a black diamond. At least to me. Lots of obstacles. Lota of right switchbacks, rocks, roots, and drop offs. Lots of work. Fun but very challenging. Not a relaxing swooping downhill. If I were naming this trial: “relentles

Definitely not as hard as it sounds. More of a blue/black than a true black. With that said, super fun trail that keeps things interesting throughout its entirety.

I agree with the fellow comments

If you lik pedaling... this trail is for you. If not - then go down joyride, Don’t make the mistake I did!

Was really rainy today but was still a blast!! Lots of slippery rocks and roots though.

This really is an amazing trail. I'd love to get down there again and ride the new Predator trail.

My only concern with the Tiger mountain riding area is the difficulty ratings seem to be a bit inflated. This trail feels squarely like an Intermediate, and nothing that I saw from POV videos makes Predator look like a double black. But maybe that's a good thing if it keeps unprepared people off the trails? shrug

What a fantastic trail! Wish it went all the way to the bottom.

A pleasant XC ride that is a main link to the rest of the East Tiger trail system. If doing a shorter loop, then NTT will be your entrance and your exit. If doing a longer day by riding up the fire road to the East Summit, then NTT is your exit trail back to the parking lot.

Overall, NTT is rated Green, but it still has a few sections that will challenge novice riders. I've yet to see anyone successfully ride the big root ball in the uphill (East) direction. And same root ball in the downhill (West) direction back to parking lot is definitely a Blue trail feature. Roll it or drop it, and don't look down to your left! Also, the rock garden near the West end of the trail is more challenging riding uphill (heading West).