Trail:Griffin Creek
From Evergreen Trail Guide
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| Name | Griffin Creek |
| Tech Rating | 
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| Grunt Rating |
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| Singletrack | 80% |
| Fire road | 20% |
| Paved | 0% |
| Total trail | 10 mi. |
| Alt. change | 600 |
| Latitude: | 47.609067 |
| Longitude: | -121.8671 |
| Nearest medical: | Not set yet |
| Page adopted by: | [[User:{{{moderator}}}|{{{moderator}}}]] |
| Get Directions | |
Trail Overview
Jan 2011 -- No Trespassing signs are still posted (even encouraging the Sheriff's to be proactive). Beer Can has been clear cut.
January 2010 - It is reported that the property that the Griffin trail system sits on has been sold and "Keep Out" signs have been posted. It has also been reported that the new owners are actively asking anyone entering the trail system to leave.
Do not underestimate the 12 short miles of rolling technical trails at Griffin Creek. Most seem really mellow, but require more attention than you'd think on first sight. The soil here is glacial till, which means that there's lots of rock mixed in it, making this area a good choice in the rainy season.
Most routes will start with a 3 mile forest road warm up. A steeper 1/2 mile climb up from the "gravel pit" will give you access to a downhill trail called Conspiracy that's a blast to ride. Much of the rest of the trail system is made up a chain of very narrow trails, connecting across road spurs. There's more climbing then you notice until the end of the ride.
How to find it
Coming from Seattle
Go east on I-90 to the Preston-Fall City exit. Turn left, over the freeway and then right, towards Fall City. Once in town, turn right, over the bridge on 202 and then a left, heading north on 203. Take that road about 5-6 miles to NE 11th and turn right. There will also be a Camp Don Bosco sign there. (Continue below.)
Coming from Redmond
Take SR-202 south; left on NE Tolt Hill Rd; right onto SR-203. After about 1.4mi, turn left into NE 11th Street. (continued)
On NE 11th
When the paved road veers left, stay straight onto the dirt road; parking area is up the dirt road on the left before the Snoqualmie Valley trail (which is marked).
Typical Conditions
Trail gets thick salal plants crowding it in from the sides late in summer.
Current Conditions
- 2009-01-25 Trails were in good shape. One new tree down on Beer Run. Couple of muddy spots here and there, but overall very ridable. Salal has nearly taken over parts of Dancer's, Deer, and Cyclist.
- 2008-09-01 Very few spots starting to get sloppy with wet mud. Saw fresh bear scat. Salal plants crowding trail in tight in places. Saw a California quail in splendid plumage.
- 2008-04-26 Roads are in good condition. It has been rainy these last few weeks, but sunny today and the trails drained very well. We cruised around on Sarah's Fast Track, Lancer's Lookabout, the Stra8, and a few others. Nice ride. Saw a few garder snakes and a quail-like bird (?).
- 2007-10-13 Roads are in good condition. No Blowovers. Beer Run is in need of some help. (fixed 11/07) There's a very large bushy tree 1/4 the way into beer run that you cannot go over/around. (also fixed 11/07) Conspiracy is in good shape. Many of the lower trails are overgrown but still ride-able. Lots of horse droppings so watch out for the piles. Only saw one bear scat that was a few days old. Watch out for the Zombie Dear and Grouse.
Turn-By-Turn Guide
Roll out of the Griffin Parking and hang a left onto the Road. Stay on the road ignoring the first gate that has the road that goes up hill. Continue on the road and at about 1.5 miles you'll come to another gate, pass around that gate and keep on the road for another mile and half.
You'll know your on the correct road as it follows the creek on your right.
Just short of the 3 mile mark you come to a 4-way intersection. Straight ahead is an old road on the right that climbs, ignore that and take the sharp left. Take the next right and it won't be long and you'll see the gravel pit on your right.
If you go more then a mile and don't see the gravel pit with a road climbing up on your right then your on the wrong road. Turn right at the road on the far edge of the gravel pit and climb up the road until it turns into Single Track at a tiny clearing just before entering the forest. Just inside the forest you will see a trail crossing the single track that you are on. The trail on the right is an out and back called Beer Run. The trail on the left is called Conspiracy. Ride Beer Run to the power lines and turn around and ride back. Now take Conspiracy this is one of the best trails out there. Follow it to the road turn right on the road then the first trail on the left. If you pass a road on your left you've gone to far.
Each time you come to a road look for the trail on the other side of the road. This will happen about 3 times crossing a road in the middle, then about twice crossing a forest road right where it dead ends, then about one more time later in the ride. After a bit of riding you'll come to a Y of the single track. Take the trail on the left and at the second Y in the single track, take the trail on the right. Eventually you'll climb out to a road with no trail in sight. If you look left you should see the road dead ends, ride towards the dead in which should be no more then 80ft and there will be a trail to the right, going down a steep hill. At the bottom turn right then a left at the road.
Starting now is where it would be good to have a map as others have been unable to work out all of the next steps. However, if you basically just head down hill then you may end up back on Griffin Creek Road.
Follow the road as it bends to the right and ignore the road to the right for now and continue to follow the road around. You'll see a trail to the left ignore it for now and continue heading right on the road ignoring the road to the left. The road will get steep and then level out, ignore any of the spur roads and be looking for a trail on the left. Come out to the road again and go right on the road. Look for a trail on the left at the Y stay to the right, you'll come out to a road, just keep going straight up the road in front.
The road will turn into Singletrack. When at the Y you can take either direction they both lead to the same place. The Left is steep and loose, the right is smooth and fast.
Come out to the road and turn left ignore the spur roads and look for a trail on the left. The trail is a bit rocky and will come to a Y stay to the left and follow it until it exits to a road. Turn left on the road and follow it around.
You'll see a trail on your left ignore it, it's steep and barely hike a bike. Instead look for a trail on the right follow it until you come to the Y and take the left. The right dead ends.
Come out to the road and turn right. Follow the road to the intersection you have two choices here. Turn right and head down the hill to the yellow gate and continue on back to the cars. Or turn left and take the first trail on the right, it s a dug out skidder road fun fun fun. Come out to the road and turn right and follow the road back to the cars 12 miles later.
Local Points of Interest
Here you might list nearby places to get a bite to eat, nearby bike shops, etc.
Misc. Information
Here you mention anything that doesn't fit in the other categories.
Advocacy Information
- Jan 2011--No Trespassing signs are still posted (even encouraging the Sheriff's to be proactive). Beer Can has been clear cut.
- January 2010 - It is reported that the property that the Griffin trail system sits on has been sold and "Keep Out" signs have been posted. It has also been reported that the new owners are actively asking anyone entering the trail system to leave.
