Chuckanut Ridge Trail Descent

Overview

The ride breaks into three core sections: Upper Ridge Trail, Lower Ridge Trail, and Lower Salal Trail. <br><br>Upper Ridge Trail sets the stage with precise maneuvering through trees and over sandstone slabs. Expect slow technical work paired with short surges of speed. At roughly 0.8mi keep an eye out for a trail splitting off to the left. This is a detour that eliminates the Middle Ridge Trail avoided here because of its very steep nature and continuous hike-a-bike sections. Instead, a short detour onto Cleator Road followed by a fairly mellow ascent leapfrogs riders to the Lower Ridge Trail without having to practice being a sherpa for the day. <br><br>The technical riding experienced on the Upper Ridge Trail returns for an encore with tighter lines and trickier terrain. Line choice is even more important and careful study/sessioning will reveal some of the best. A right hand turn signifies the end of the ridge and a brief respite along Dan's Traverse .<br><br>Stage three offers you a choice. Turn left and bail-out along the dirt road ( North Lost Lake Trail) or head to the sign post to the right for some intense cross country riding. The latter option brings you to Salal Trail and then to Lower Salal Trail at your first left.<br><br>Lower Salal Trail (also referred to as Hush-Hush) offers up a root infested obstacle course where lunges and ratcheting are king. Difficult even in good conditions, the countless roots make for a wild ride in the wet. Lower Salal Trail eventually joins with the North Lost Lake Trail for a tame return to your vehicle. There are several small intersecting trails making navigating more challenging. Fortunately the trails are short, so a wrong turn is usually easily corrected. These lower trails do receive a lot of pedestrian traffic, so speeds should be kept in check.

Trail Stats

Photos

Views of the bay while climbing to Lower Ridge.

Views of the bay while climbing to Lower Ridge.

Riding though the wet leaves on a fall ride.

Riding though the wet leaves on a fall ride.

Gregg Eiswald rolls in on the Upper Ridge Trail connector.

Gregg Eiswald rolls in on the Upper Ridge Trail connector.

Kelend Hawks rides over a slab of sandstone on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Kelend Hawks rides over a slab of sandstone on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Sandstone slab ride into a tree pinch.

Sandstone slab ride into a tree pinch.

Michael Mcallister threads the high line on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Michael Mcallister threads the high line on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Just a small taste of the roots on Lower Salal Trail.

Just a small taste of the roots on Lower Salal Trail.

Kyle Warner skids across a sandstone slab while racing the Lower Ridge Trail.

Kyle Warner skids across a sandstone slab while racing the Lower Ridge Trail.

Michael Cunningham tackles a few of the many roots on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Michael Cunningham tackles a few of the many roots on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Richard Handschin rides a clean line over this off camber turn on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Richard Handschin rides a clean line over this off camber turn on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Gretchen Nelson thoroughly enjoying the exit off the Upper Ridge Trail

Gretchen Nelson thoroughly enjoying the exit off the Upper Ridge Trail

Logan Wetzel navigates the roots along the Lower Ridge Trail during the Cascadia Dirt Cup.

Logan Wetzel navigates the roots along the Lower Ridge Trail during the Cascadia Dirt Cup.

Ian Schmitt racing between the ferns on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Ian Schmitt racing between the ferns on the Upper Ridge Trail.

Cody Olsen flies through the ferns in Jurassic Park.

Cody Olsen flies through the ferns in Jurassic Park.

Max Seebeck sends with all smiles on some natty roots.

Max Seebeck sends with all smiles on some natty roots.

Jason Eiswald takes the optional upper line along the ridge-line of Lower Ridge Trail.

Jason Eiswald takes the optional upper line along the ridge-line of Lower Ridge Trail.

Karen O'Connell powers up a short punchy rise on the Lower Ridge Trail.

Karen O'Connell powers up a short punchy rise on the Lower Ridge Trail.

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