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2.8 miles
Distance
1,104 ft
Climb
-51 ft
Descent
00:49:11
Avg time
1,052 ft
Altitude change
1,818 ft
Altitude min
2,916 ft
Altitude max
1,818 ft
Altitude start
2,871 ft
Altitude end
7%
Grade
-16%
Grade max
33.7%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
1,821 ft
Distance down
1,211 ft
Distance flat
00:49:11
Avg time
Lightning Details
-
Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
-
Riding AreaSage Hills
Wenatchee, Washington -
Difficulty Rating
-
Voted DifficultyGreen (1 vote)
-
Local Popularity60 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 50 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
-
Global Ranking
-
State Ranking
-
Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeXC
-
DirectionBoth Directions
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Climb DifficultyBlue
-
Physical RatingModerate
-
SeasonMay - Nov
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Dogs AllowedYes
-
eBike Allowed
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Land OwnerCDLT
A moderately challenging climb that sometimes is punchy and dusty but it's all rideable. The views of the Wenatchee Valley and the Columbia River as you climb higher are spectacular and the flowers on the upper sections linger well past lower elevations. If you're looking to ride a loop that descends Apricot Crisp and Homestead, then this climb will accomplish that.
Access Info
Seasonal Closure: Every winter the PUD and CDLT properties in the the Sage Hills are closed from December 1 to April 1. In winter, mule deer move down into these lands and, at a time when they are nearly starving, they can ill afford the calorie expenditure needed to avoid people and pets.
This trail is unsanctioned.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 3 rides
- 16 miles average
6 Months
- 13 rides
- 14 miles avg distance
All
- 296 rides
- Last: Oct 23, 2026
Lightning Trail Reports
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
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- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
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- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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Directions to lightning-24020 trailhead
(47.448740, -120.384120)
Photos
27 more »
Videos
1 more »
mtb
6:13 |
787 |
May 9, 2022 , Wenatchee
Routes with this trail
14 miles • 2,489 ft • 8 •
Burts, Glacier View, Apricot Crisp, up and over Lightning back on Balsom root
16 miles • 2,621 ft • 12 • Loop •
A nice route that hits most of the best trails in Sage Hills and the Horse Lake Preserve.
★ 1.0 • 17 miles • 2,142 ft • 22 • Point to Point •
One way ride from #2 Canyon to Sage HIlls. Middle section is a bit overgrown, but still passable.
Trail Products
6 Reviews & Comments
OldsterMoldster
Whatever
Yeah it's not a perfectly buff park trail
Apricot is a climbing trail and sucks as a downhill
Lightning is the only fun trail coming off the top
Yeah it's not a perfectly buff park trail
Apricot is a climbing trail and sucks as a downhill
Lightning is the only fun trail coming off the top
jannkm
Went down this route at the start of May. I think sections are fun, and then after a point you worry about opening up and catching the edge of the trail. Was starting to feel confident in sticking down the center of the trail so opened up my speed, caught my tire on the lip of the upper side of the trail (trail is grooved into the hillside) and I had a pretty good crash. Probably in part due to my lack of riding time on grooved out trails but I think I would ride up this next time since other trails don't have the high sides/narrow trail and I feel I could open up the speed more on them and enjoy the decent.
OldsterMoldster
Lightning is for sure a better downhill trail than an uphill.
So REALLY, y'all should try going UP homestead and apricot and DOWN Lightning.
Seriously more fun than climbing lightning and downhilling down the backside.
So REALLY, y'all should try going UP homestead and apricot and DOWN Lightning.
Seriously more fun than climbing lightning and downhilling down the backside.
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Nearby Trails
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- #24020 - 4,737 views
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