DARRINGTON — Bright pink flags tied around trees mark the first few miles of future mountain biking trails on North Mountain.
They aren’t trails yet. It’s a trek over logs, rocks and bushes to get from one flag to the next. By the end of next summer, though, planners hope to have created a place where mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels can ride.
The state Department of Natural Resources and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance have teamed up to build roughly 20 miles of new trails on North Mountain near Darrington. The goal is to spread the routes over about 1,600 acres owned by the Department of Natural Resources. The final project cost won’t be known until crews have finished mapping the trails and assessing the terrain, but $1 million has been set aside from the department’s sustainable recreation capital budget for the project.
Planning for the new bike park started in the fall. Public meetings were held late last year and a public survey garnered 700 responses. People had diverse requests. Some wanted challenging technical trails and others wanted easier routes to cruise on, said Sam Jarrett, DNR trail specialist.
Workers hope to break ground by May. Before then, the trails need to be marked more extensively and studies must be completed on wetlands, habitat conservation, hydrology and the overall environmental impact of putting in the trails.
The Glacier Peak Institute, a youth organization in Darrington, also is involved with the project. Staff plan to work with the students so they can see how much work goes into trail design. The paths have to be carefully routed so they hit highlights such as nice views or neat old stumps while avoiding wet spots and steep slopes, said Mike Westra, trails director with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.
The trails won’t take shape completely until the first riders start using them. Those might be professional trailblazers or experienced volunteers.
“The goal is to provide for all ages, all skill levels and all styles,” Westra said. “Mountain biking has just exploded in the last few years.”
There aren’t many options nearby for mountain bikers. They can go north to Burlington for an indoor skills park, south to King County or over the Cascade Mountains to popular biking areas in the Methow Valley. Most mountain biking in North Snohomish County is on private property right now, said Mark Lovejoy, the North Mountain project manager for Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.
Darrington is on the way for bikers taking the scenic drive over Highway 20 toward the east side of the Cascade Range. They’ll drive for hours to find a beautiful, thrilling spot to ride.
“People come through Darrington and don’t stop in Darrington,” Westra said. “This will be an excuse for them to stop and maybe even stay awhile.”
The lower elevations of the bike park are meant to be easier, denser trails where anyone can ride. As people head up the mountain, the plan is for the trails to become more dispersed and challenging. Some would be for experts only.
The routes still need to be marked by the steepness of the terrain and useful humps of dirt need to be distinguished from dangerous rotting logs that could give way under a foot or tire. Teams take soil samples and make note of landmarks as they mark the trails.
“The key is going to be taking advantage of what’s here and not trying to create something that’s not,” Westra said.
Westra got into mountain biking when he was trying to get in shape. He noticed that when he started riding uphill on a bike, he could make it a little farther without stopping every day. The constant improvement was rewarding.
“For someone who was really out shape, that was so cool and I began to crave it,” he said.
Lovejoy began biking in Canada when he was invited to a new park where riders and bikes were shuttled up the hill.
“I went to the top and I rode down the hill and by the time I got to the bottom, I’d basically decided I was going to be a mountain biker,” he said.
A large park with diverse trails can appeal to experienced bikers or children and teens who are interested in learning a new sport.
Some of the trails likely would be shared with hikers. If terrain allows, planners want to have trails going all the way to the North Mountain Lookout, about 3,800 feet above sea level. The park starts around 600 feet.
“The size and scope of the project is what makes it different,” Lovejoy said. “It’s a different level of wilderness when you get into the real North Cascades, and we’re in the real North Cascades here.”
The park could eventually be the hub for major events such as campouts and work parties to maintain the trails, Westra said. Longterm community involvement with the park is important.
To learn more about the project or find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities, go to evergreenmtb.org/trails/darrington-north-mountain or dnr.wa.gov/DarringtonMTB.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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