Trail:Mission Ridge
From Evergreen Trail Guide
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| Name | Mission Ridge |
| Tech Rating | 
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| Grunt Rating |
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| Singletrack | 100% |
| Fire road | 00% |
| Paved | 0% |
| Total trail | 18 mi. |
| Alt. change | 4000 |
| Latitude: | 47.34831 |
| Longitude: | -120.48754 |
| Nearest medical: | Not set yet |
| Page adopted by: | [[User:{{{moderator}}}|{{{moderator}}}]] |
| Get Directions | |
Trail Overview
Mission Ridge is the big brother to the Devil's Gulch trail, which is parallel to it. Mission Ridge is a harder and much more scenic ride and one of the classic singletrack trails in our state.
Even descending Mission Ridge you will end out climbing almost 1000 feet, so this trail is not for the faint of heart.
There are substantial stands of beautiful virgin forest in this area due to unstable soil conditions that have made logging a challenge. Modern fire prevention has caused unnatural fuel buildup in this area and many experts feel that it is just a matter of time before a major forest fire rips through this area. The safety of conducting controlled burns to reduce the fuel load is debated among forestry and fire control experts.
How to find it
- Take Hwy 2 to Cashmere.
- From the west take the first exit in town. From the east its the second exit. Go straight on Division street and follow it as it bends right and turns into Pioneer Street. Go to Mission creek road and turn left. About half a mile later turn right at unmarked intersection. Cross Mission Creek and take first left... back onto Mission. Follow until the gravel begins and go left at fork in road. Road # is 7100. Follow for about 3 miles and park at Devils Gulch Trail Head. You need a NW Forest Service pass to park at the trailhead.
Typical Conditions
The trail can get really loose due to horse and moto use, but it is still a fun and challenging descent even in these conditions. Mission Ridge is best just after the snow melts or following some rain.
Current Conditions
8/16/09 - Mission Ridge is very dry and dusty. The Mission Creek road is closed due to a washout last winter, so you have to park at the Sand Creek parking lot (Forest Pass required). No more shuttling until the road is repaired sometime in 2010[1]. To get to the Mission Ridge/Devil's Gulch lower trail head, you must ride Red Sand trail from the Sand Creek parking lot, which is an additional 5 mile single track with a couple hundred feet of elevation gain. See map here:US Forest Service Map.
7/20/10 - The road to the Mission Ridge parking lot is still closed. The detour described above is still your best option. The road is ridable for those who want to ride the road to the top instead of Devils Gulch. At the time of our ride Trail 1221 and Devils Gulch were very slick. Mission ridge only has mud in deep motor cycle ruts. For a full report and video check out this link, Adventures of Scatman Scatman Get out there!
7/23/10 - The area is snow and bug free! We rode Red Devil to Devils Gulch to Mission Ridge and came back on Red Devil from the Red Hill Parking Lot. The trail is almost all dry expect a small spot on Devils Gulch. Devils Gulch is getting a bit overgrown at times. For a full report, photos and video go to: Adventures of Scatman Scatman Get out there!
Turn-By-Turn Guide
There are 3 main ways to ride Mission Ridge:
- Climb up Devils Gulch to the saddle where the trail meets Mission Ridge and descend the mission ridge trail. details needed
- The classic figure 8 loop. This is the hardest and by far the best way to ride this trail. detials needed
- Pedal up the fire road and descend the top of Devils Gulch then take the Mission Ridge trail where they intersect. details needed
Local Points of Interest
- Cashmere Brewery, 215 Mission Ave.
- Brian's Pizza, 107 Cottage Ave. We got a $6.99 all you can eat salad, pizza and soda special during the week - tasted great for the price.
Misc. Information
Trail information from Wenatchee River Ranger District of the Wenatchee National Forest.
Advocacy Information
Mission Ridge is in the Wenatchee National Forest. The forest is currently evaluating roadless areas that may be proposed as Wilderness, thus shutting bikes out of the trails. It is unlikely that Devil's Gulch or Mission Ridge will be recommended as Wilderness, but other trails in the Wenatchee, Okanogan and Colville National Forests may be at risk.
