It’s taken, nearly five years for the work done by Northwest Trail Alliance and Growlers Gulch Racing to bring us to the point where new ride options are available at the mountain. Check the info below, get out there and put wheels on these lines, then spread the word to your friends.
Marble Mountain Out-and-Back: This is a beginner/intermediate trail approximately 15 miles in length with about 1,500 feet of climbing. At the north end of Marble Mountain Sno-Park, take the Pine Marten Trail. Cross the June Lake Road and you will segue onto the Sasquatch Trail. (In two places, the upper Sasquatch Trail continues north; ignore these and bear right) You will reach the Pine Creek Lahar. The trail turns right and rocks down to the 83 Road. Ride the 83 Road about .3 up a short rise and you will see a sign for the Pine Creek Trail on the left. It passes a warming shelter and continues out to the big lahar. Look for our new line on the right. The trail is rocky but rideable. You will end up back at the 83 Road. It’s a short distance to the Ape Canyon Trailhead.
NOTE: The line from the Pine Creek Trail at the big lahar down to the 83 Road is under review by the USFS. For now, you can ride Pine Creek out-and-back to the lahar and then ride pavement for a bit to Ape Canyon or just skip Pine Creek and just go immediately to Ape on pavement.
Marble-Ape Canyon Options: Follow the directions above. When you reach the Ape Canyon Trailhead, you will have three options: (1) ride the initial climb, turn around, and return to Marble (24 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing; (2) continue across the Plains to the Lunch Log before heading back (30 miles with 4,000+ feet of climbing); (3) ride Smith Creek before returning to Marble (34 miles with 5,000 feet of climbing).
Directions: Drive through Cougar until you reach a left turn onto the 83 Road toward Ape Cave and Lava Canyon. You will reach Marble Mountain Sno-Park on your left. Unlike Ape Canyon, there is a huge parking lot here. NOTE: The USFS sometimes keeps the lot on the left closed; if that’s the case, simply park in the lower lot on the right side of the road.
Blue Lake-Sheep Canyon-Loowit-Toutle Trail: It’s only 12 miles, but you will know you’ve been on a ride. Once you leave the parking area, you will take a quick left toward Blue Lake, traverse a rocky section, and then cross a creek before starting the first climb through old growth to the Huckleberry Saddle. Descend for about several hundred yards until you reach an intersection. Take a hard right, cross the bridge, and you will be at the bottom of a tough climb up the Sheep Canyon Trail. Beautiful old growth with rocky challenges near the top. When you reach the Loowit, take a left. You will eventually reach a ripping descent down Crescent Ridge until you reach the intersection of the Loowit and Toutle trails. Take a left onto the Toutle Trail. Climb until you reach a long footbridge. Continue on the Toutle Trail back up to the top of the Huckleberry Saddle before enjoying another great descent back to Blue Lake.
Directions: Just before Cougar, take a left when you see the sign for the Kalama Horse Camp. Go about 10 miles on the 81 Road, and you will see a left to the Blue Lake Trailhead. The 8123 road is rough and parking is limited.
Red Rock-Blue Lake-Sheep Canyon-Loowit-Toutle Trail: This is a great way to expand the ride above to 18 miles. Also, parking at Red Rock Pass is less primitive that at Blue Lake.
Take the Toutle Trail from Red Rock Pass. You will immediately go through a spectacular lava field. There are several intersections, so be sure to stay on the Toutle Trail. It is approximately three miles to Blue Lake. The first half features rock step-ups and old growth. The second half is like riding down a rocky creek bed. There is also a hike-a-bike ravine crossing. It is approximately three miles from Red Rock to Blue Lake.
After a couple of hundred yards of rock, you will cross the creek and continue on the Toutle Trail (238) for about two miles; the climb is reasonable but expect about 15 to 20 step-ups. At the top, you will begin descending for about .5. Right after a hard left to right turn bear right and you will quickly be at the intersection with the Sheep Canyon Trail. The climb up to the Loowit is only two miles but it is very challenging. Bear left on the Loowit and you will eventually descend down Crescent Ridge to the South Fork Toutle. Take a left onto the Toutle Trail. You guessed it - you will need to climb several miles back up to the Huckleberry Saddle. Enjoy a rocking ride down to Blue Lake and then head back to Red Rock.
18.2 miles with 4,100 feet of vertical. Plenty of technical riding, three serious climbs, and two great descents. Moderate to difficult, both in terms of legs and lungs and technical ability.
Directions: Take the turn for Ape Cave at the 83 Road. Drive several miles and take a left onto the 81 Road at Cougar Sno-Park. You will be on pavement most of the way but the road eventually turns to gravel. Parking on the right.
Blue Horse-Toutle Trail Loop: Starting from the Blue Horse Trailhead, the trail climbs 2.75 miles until it meets the Toutle Trail. This may be some of the most technical riding of the entire loop. Much of the trail is sandy/ash coupled with baby-head rocks that will challenge even experienced riders. You will come to an unmarked fork in the trail, but the lines come back together in 100 yards or so. Once you arrive at the Toutle Trail Junction (238), take a right and head east. The trail will take you through diverse forests and a dry gulch. Remaining on the Toutle Trail, you will pass through Red Rock Pass, a black basalt rock field created by a lava event 1,900 years ago (that also formed the Ape Caves). The trail continues across the 8100 road from Red Rock Pass. You will ascend into a lush forest with some excellent flow. The headwaters of the Kalama River will appear on your right along with views of Mount St. Helens. The trail will level out as you follow the river. Stay right at the intersection and an old double-track road will bring you back to your vehicle.
8.5 miles with 1,500 feet of climbing. Intermediate rating.
Driving Directions: From SR 503/Lewis River Highway, turn left on paved FR 8100 for the Kalama Recreation Area. After 8.6 miles of winding up and passing Merrill Lake, FR 8100 makes a sharp bend to the right. After 2.9 miles, turn sharply right at the junction with FR 8123 to continue on FR 8100. Go 0.5 miles on the gravel road, and you will see the Blue Horse TH on the left. There is parking on the right.