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For the past 9 years, the Middle Fork Trail paralleling the Snoqualmie river has been open only to hikers and horseback riders. This fall marks a huge milestone for advocates of shared-trail usage, opening the trail to mountain bikers for a 3-year trial period.
The trail is open to bikers on odd calendar days until October 31 unless weather conditions merit an earlier closure. The odd-day stipulation may seem a bit...well, odd, but it reflects a nearly decade-long discussion between the Forest Service, mountain bike advocacy volunteers, and other outdoor recreational groups. In short, it provides hikers and horseback riders the opportunity to select a day when they know they won't have to contend with 2-wheelers flying along the trails, no matter how polite and respectful Seattlest contends those 2-wheelers will be, thankful as we are to have access to this trail again.
For those who may not recall or haven't lived here long enough, the debate about whether bikers should share the trail took something of a back seat to the fact that this area was long plagued by dumping, illegal "homesteading", and numerous meth labs. The clean-up effort was immense, and once complete everyone could get back the to buisness of discussing how to share the trails. And share them we must--no single outdoor recreational group can reasonably lay claim to this area, nor maintain it on their own. MiddleFork.org provides more information on the trail and its history.
Interest in this trail is extremely high across the mountain biking community, because it is a rare example of more rugged, difficult, remote riding--the likes of which you typically have to travel 4+ hours to--less than an hour away from Seattle. Please note: this trail should not be ridden within a few days after any serious rainfall. Trail conditions are updated on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Forest Service site, and you should check it before heading out to ride. Not only will you find the trail even more challenging to ride, but mountain bikes can cause serious erosion damage on wet trails. That is the core of the debate over granting access to bikers, so please respect the trail conditions and closures lest this door close in our face yet again.
The Middle Fork provides a multitude of options, with the lower section being easier and more well-maintained, whereas 5-6 miles further up, you'll run into more technical climbs and descents, large rock-gardens, slick wood bridges, and a handfull of river crossings that will find you knee-deep at times. You'll also be amazed at how lush and "old-growth" everything seems. It is truly unique how untouched this area feels.
The Middle Fork can be ridden in full as an out-and-back for a total of about 25 miles (12.5 each way), or you can hop off onto the road towards Dingford creek for easier climbing or a quicker bail-out back to the trailhead if need be. If you plan on making the trek at least as far to the Dingford creek crossing and beyond, pack a swimsuit and make a reservation in advance at the Goldmyer hot springs. $12 might seem like a high price to pay for a hot soak while you read this in the comfort of your cubicle, but we can scarcely describe the joy you'll feel sliding into one of those tubs after riding mud-soaked trails covered in rocks for 10 miles and forging the middle fork river up to your shins to find the trail to the hot springs.
Following its closure at the end of October, the Middle Fork will re-open to mountain bikers in April of next year. For more detailed trail descriptions and directions, visit the Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club website.
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