12.6 miles
Distance
2,190 ft
Climb
-2,580 ft
Descent
02:41:58
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Thompson Ridge Trail
  • Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance -Methow Chapter
    since 2019
    Sponsor
  • Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance - Methow Chapter
    since 2019
    Maintainer

Thompson Ridge Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Sun Mountain
    Winthrop, Washington
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Blue (3 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    Late April through late October
  • Alpine Trail
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm, Drop, Jump, Gap Jump, Rock Garden
  • Global Ranking
    #29275 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #24283 in Trail Running
    • #91382 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Year Opened
    2019
  • Land Manager
    United States Forest Service

Thompson Ridge Trail is designed to be ridden clockwise or south to north. Offers nice climbing grade with many view opportunities etc. Mix of open meadows, forested areas and rock outcroppings. Descending off the north end is fast and fun with many options to mix it up. Finish with descending Pete's Dragon and Magpie to the Chickadee TH. The trail itself is not technically difficult but it is physically challenging.

Access Info

Start of the south end of the trail is the intersection of Woodpecker and Goshawk. From Chickadee TH, follow Climb It Change to Thompson Pass, take Pete's Dragon up to intersection of Wild Turkey and Woodpecker. Descend Woodpecker and you'll begin the Ridge Trail when you cross Goshawk

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Thompson Ridge mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -390 ft
  • Altitude min
    3,113 ft
  • Altitude max
    4,936 ft
  • Altitude start
    3,504 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,114 ft
  • Grade
    -0.6%
  • Grade max
    -33.7%
  • Grade min
    36.7%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    6 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile
  • Avg time
    02:41:58
  • Avg reverse time
    02:29:23
  • view trail stats
Status:
on May 3, 2022
Dry
Avg: 4.4 (18 votes)
Your vote: 0

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  • Basemap 
  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • 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 riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
Trail Last Ridden
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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
Contribute Details
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  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
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Radar Time
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  • mountain biking recent
  • mountain biking (>6 month)
  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
Activity Recordings
Trailforks users anonymized public skilogs from the past 12 months.
  • Downhill Ski
  • Backcountry Ski
  • Nordic Ski
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      Directions to thompson-ridge-227754 trailhead (48.427430, -120.271340)
      update trails status or condition

      Thompson Ridge Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      May 3, 2022 @ 4:01pm
      May 3, 2022
      		 Still closed from the fire.
      May 3, 2022 @ 3:59pm
      May 3, 2022
      		 Still closed from the fire.
      Aug 23, 2021 @ 4:15pm
      Aug 23, 2021
      		 reporter
      Aug 3, 2021 @ 10:33am
      Aug 3, 2021
      		 This trail is now all in the burn zone of the Cedar Creek fire. There was also quite a bit of discussion of using Thompson Ridge as a containment...
      Jun 29, 2021 @ 10:00am
      Jun 29, 2021
      		 Some loose, loose dirt on some of the early on the descent (going clockwise). Nothing impossible, just be aware.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 0 rides
      •  
      All
      • 242 rides
      •  

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Photos

      more »
      130 |
      Sep 14, 2021 @ 11:08pm
      Sep 14, 2021
      238 |
      May 8, 2021 @ 6:10pm
      May 8, 2021
      197 |
      May 8, 2021 @ 6:10pm
      May 8, 2021
      280 |
      May 8, 2021 @ 6:10pm
      May 8, 2021

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      Chickadee to Thompson Ridge Trail loop20 miles

      Trail Products

      17 Reviews & Comments

      • + 3
      ckoont (Oct 14, 2019 at 13:09)
       This is exactly what the area was missing, more of the same please.
      [Reply]
      • + 4
      josephrbrown EMBA-METHOW (Oct 14, 2019 at 13:18)
       Stay tuned!!!
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      pclement (Oct 20, 2019 at 15:05)
       An amazing trail! Best in the valley.
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      BasedGawd (Nov 13, 2019 at 6:05)
       This wasn't here when I visited in summer... Such a pleasant surprise. Long, varied, made to ride. Amazing views.
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      y7qpTT (Jun 28, 2021 at 13:32)
       The climbing portion is so well designed. There’s flat spots punctuating gradual climb sections to offer some rest without stopping. It’s a long gradual climb, but not at all grueling.

      Went starting early in the morning in June, the entire route has a perfect amount of shade. The scenery was just top notch the whole way.

      Coming down was closer to a black than blue in some spots. Watch out for loose dirt on the edge of the narrow track. Losing concentration means slipping off sideways like I did.
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      padrefan1982 (Jun 29, 2021 at 22:53)
       Only ridden once, but based on what I experienced, the recommended clockwise plan is the way to go.
      Worth the time and effort— be aware you’re gotta summit 3 different times on trail (and be ready for switchbacks all the way), and make sure to leave gas in the tank for the decent—long and so good. There is a ton of sun exposure all the way, so plan accordingly.
      Options abound for jumps too, but its got backcountry flair so expect signs telling you what is coming— ride heads up and you should be fine.
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      Christophery96MNg (Oct 16, 2021 at 14:27)
       Technically closed due to fire. Still rideable, barely. Very first part is on the fire break and hard to follow (head left and contour), but once out of the fire break, the trail is easy to follow. Lots of debris and down trees but worth it to see the varied impact of the fire. Some portions are untouched, others are blasted volcanic dustscape. Rumor has it you need to turn back at Gobblers, but I ran out of time before I got that far. Slow going.
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      josephrbrown EMBA-METHOW (Oct 16, 2021 at 15:00)
       Thompson Ridge is closed and is a sensitive rehab zone. The only portion of the trail that is open for access is from Thompson Ridge Road to The donut below Gobblers Knob. Please refrain from using other parts of the trail as this just prolongs the rehab and recovery process. Thanks for your understanding
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      Christophery96MNg (Oct 16, 2021 at 17:32)
       Yes, it is the section from Thompson Ridge Road to Gobblers I am referring to - the “first half” if doing the trail the usual direction. I was told by the LBS it was open. But the sign at the bottom said closed. You are saying one section open. Can you please clarify exactly what is open?
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      josephrbrown EMBA-METHOW (Oct 16, 2021 at 17:53)
       Sorry it’s confusing. The intended direction for TR is clockwise from south to north. So the last section would be Gobblers to TR road. This last section is what is open as an out and back, starting and finishing at TR road. The open section was recently cleared for access. Thanks for asking!
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      Kolbyw (May 3, 2022 at 8:13)
       Any update on the trail?
      [Reply]
      • + 2
      josephrbrown EMBA-METHOW (May 3, 2022 at 8:26)
       Currently closed and undergoing restoration work for hazard tree removal and tread rehab. Hope to share more information as available
      [Reply]
      • + 1
      Kolbyw (May 3, 2022 at 12:30)
       Thanks Joseph! Are there any other trails in the area that I need to check out? Planning on spending a few days in the area.
      [Reply]
      • + 2
      josephrbrown EMBA-METHOW (May 3, 2022 at 12:47)
       Check out Coal Creek which is nearby
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      GalbraithShredder75 (May 24, 2022 at 21:16)
       Is the lower part of this trail open? Or is the whole thing open? How about wild turkey?
      [Reply]
      • + 2
      josephrbrown EMBA-METHOW (May 25, 2022 at 6:16)
       The north end of the Thompson Ridge trail is open as an out an back. From the intersection of Thompson Ridge Road, Lower Climb It and Thompson Ridge Trail, you can ride up CCW until you see the closure sign and then back down
      [Reply]
      • + 0
      Soggybikecommuter (Jun 12, 2022 at 16:41)
       It’s still recovering from the fire. Ride it softly and respectfully.
      [Reply]





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