For the Reporter
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opens a new trail for mountain bikes Saturday in Tiger Mountain State Forest.
The addition of the 2.5-mile-long Off-the-Grid Trail increases the forest’s mountain bike trail system to approximately 15 miles.
“Off-the-Grid Trail is an important addition toward completing what we envision as a high quality, destination mountain bike trail system that offers diverse riding experiences to visitors,” said Sam Jarrett, recreation manager, DNR Snoqualmie Corridor. “Professional DNR trail builders, Puget SoundCorps, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, and volunteers all played a key role in making Off-the-Grid Trail a reality.”
The new trail, which connects East Tiger Summit Trail to the top of Fully Rigid Trail, includes machine-built upper and lower segments that are predominantly fast descents, while a hand-built middle traverse provides riders with more of a cross-country riding experience. Along the way, riders will experience rock gardens, berms, rollers, and 120 feet of elevated boardwalk.
DNR’s construction of the Off-the-Grid Trail and other efforts to develop a sustainable and improved network of public recreation trails in Tiger Mountain State Forest are funded through a grant from the state’s Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program. DNR staff designed and built the new trail with assistance from Puget SoundCorps crews and volunteers. The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance provided trail design feedback.
View and download a map of the Off-the-Grid Trail.
More trails planned
DNR also has secured grant funding to build two additional trails to complete the next phase of its expansion of the east Tiger Mountain trail system. Mountain bikers who seek a more technical trail descent experience should be excited about this next phase: DNR will partner with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to construct a descent trail for advanced riders. The department also will soon begin building a climbing trail that will provide mountain bike riders quicker access to high-elevation trails without the need to use forest roads.
