Mountain Biking In and Around Mt. Rainier

In the Nisqually Valley near the town of Ashford you can find some of the most exhilarating and challenging mountain bike trails in the Mt. Rainier area. Whether you are looking for a day ride or an overnight adventure, there are over 20 miles of trails to choose from. However, with grades of about 12% right from the start, most of the well-signed trail system is in the intermediate to expert category.

For multiple day excursions, make reservations to stay at the High Hut (4760') or the Mongolian Yurt (4100'). The Mongolian Yurt is 7.5 miles from the parking area. The most challenging route is to High Hut where you can see above the clouds to the mountain peaks of a 360 degree panorama. The reward is the thrill of the 2500' decent. Both these trails are rated intermediate to expert.

How to get here: the trailhead is about 10 miles from Ashford. Drive 2 miles from Ashford on SR 706 and turn right or south on Kernahan Rd. Proceed due south for 1.4 miles, going straight at the turn for Paradise Estates and Skate Creek Rd, to FS Rd 85. Follow the signs to the Sno Park. No fees or parking passes required for day visits during summer months. Overnight reservations are required to stay in the Hut or Yurt. Download a driving map here or stop at Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford for more detailed information.

Mount Rainier National Park provides challenging and scenic rides for mountain biking.

While mountain biking is not allowed on many area trails, many good dirt road options are available for mountain bikers, including the Westside Road (just inside the Nisqually entrance,) the Carbon River Road, the Mowich Lake Road, and the road behind the old campground in Longmire. Get more details and directions at Biking in Rainier National Park. And always check the latest road conditions before heading out.

Beginner Rides Inside the Park

• Carbon River Road
• Westside Road

NEW: Trail Descriptions for Sun Top Trail and Skookum Flats

The White River basin is due east of Mt. Rainier and about as close as you can get to the mountain on a mountain bike. The White River Recreation Area, as designated by the USDA Forest Service (FS), offers some of the best opportunities for mountain biking near Seattle on national forest land. Roughly 1 hr and 40 minutes south- southeast from downtown Seattle, trails like Skookum Flats and Palisades have received national recognition as epic trails. The White River and Skookum Flats trails are ride-able nearly all year with the remainder of the trails available when the snow melts around April-July depending on the weather. Access: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Ranger District for more information.

About Technical Difficulty Ratings: Beginner trails are shorter, mostly flat, well-packed surfaces like dirt roads. Intermediate trails are longer with some elevation gain, may include double or singletrack and require technical skills. Advanced rides are long, hilly, singletrack rides requiring technical skills. Expert rides are long, hilly and very technical, usually requiring lots of hike-a-biking and possible route finding skills.

Beginner Rides

• Packwood Lake

Intermediate Level Rides

• Greenwood Lake
• Silver Creek
• Mud Mountain Rim Trail
• Skate Creek
• Skookum Flats

Advanced Rides

• Osborne Mountain
• Sun Top Trail
• Crystal Mountain

Expert Rides

• Deep Creek Trail no 1196
• Ranger Creek
• Palisades Trail

Greenwater Skis
58703 State Route 410 East
Greenwater, WA 98022
Shop: (360) 663-2235
Fri - Mon: 8:30am to 4pm
$50/day or $35 for two hours

Greenwater Skis offers expertly-maintained, Specialized brand, full-suspension bikes for rent in four sizes. Also, mountain and road bike repair.

Greenwater Skis is a service oriented shop founded on the desire to produce the finest performance results from your equipment. Our technicians come from an extensive background within the ski industry, racing, and technical community.