Pot Peak route

Washington Mountain Bike trails supported by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, making Washington the best place to ride

This is an East Side classic that should be on your Big Ride bucket list. This route traverses the crest of Devil’s Backbone and provides outstanding viewing opportunities. It then descends for 10 miles down the Pot Peak Trail. Even if you shuttle to the Crescent Hill Trailhead this ride will still be a challenge for even experienced riders. Below Angle Peak you will have to push up through a giant talus field.....very cool. You'll encounter every type of trail condition, exposed trail segments, and overall just some incredible riding.

Typical Conditions:
Normally opens up at some point in late June or early July. Motos use the trail but due to its difficulty you won't see many folks riding it. Can get a bit soft later in the summer but normally not deep pumice. Earlier in the season, the bushes and undergrowth on Pot Peak can encroach into the track significantly and blowdown can be an issue until the trail is maintained. When there is still snow up high, you can just ride up as far as you can on Pot Peak from Snowberry CG TH on the Chelan side and then turn around for great downhill.

There are no sources of water available (including filterable streams or lakes). Much of the trails is exposed ridgeline above 6000' -- be sure to pack extra water, especially if you plan to ride as a loop.

Trail description and route compliments of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance

Loop Access (via Lone Peak and North Fork 25-Mile Creek trails): From Chelan, take Highway 97 south for 4 miles to South Shore Road Junction. Proceed west approximately 20 miles on South Shore Road just past 25-Mile Creek CG to Shady Pass Road (FS#5900). Turn onto Shady Pass Road and continue up for 2.5 miles to the junction and turn left towards Snowberry Campground and Pot Peak Trailhead. Park, then backtrack up to Shady Pass Road, take a left and proceed approximately 3.5 miles to Forest Service Road #5903. Turn left on Forest Service Road #5903 to the Lone Peak (FS#1264) trailhead. Go 1.2 miles on Lone Peak to the North Fork 25-Mile Creek Trail (FS#1265) junction; climb 25-Mile Creek for about 7.3 miles to junction with Devil's Backbone (FS#1448).

Loop Access (via Shady Pass Rd): A second loop option is to simply climb approximately 13 miles on Shady Pass Rd. #5900 to Crescent Hill Trailhead.