Trail:Tapeworm - Towers of Power
From Evergreen Trail Guide
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| Name | Tapeworm - Towers of Power |
| Tech Rating | 
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| Grunt Rating |
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| Singletrack | 80% |
| Fire road | 20% |
| Paved | 0% |
| Total trail | 8 mi. |
| Alt. change | 100? |
| Latitude: | 47.47284417004715 |
| Longitude: | -122.19539165496826 |
| Nearest medical: | Not set yet |
| Page adopted by: | [[User:{{{moderator}}}|{{{moderator}}}]] |
| Get Directions | |
Trail Description
Skill builder ride, nice quick after-work destination. It takes 1-2 hours to ride everything. This is a small system of trails that are tightly wound to make the most of a power utility company lot. There are now six trails: Crop Circles (only 1/2 can be ridden), The Tapeworm, Parasite, Mr. DNA, The Silkworm and BermSled. The CycoActive map is out of date and currently only lists a few of the trails, but it will get you started in the right direction. [See link below.] This is a trashy section of young deciduous trees, don't expect nice forest (this area is great night riding, just be cautious of low hanging branches).
Bermsled: Flowy downhill with berms and jumps Mr. DNA: Technical with roots and rocks
Parasite: Technical with sharp turns, roots, and log piles
Tapeworm: Technical with structures, roots, drops, short uphills and log piles.
Cropcircles: Maze-Like ride
Silkworm: Flowy XC with drops, structures, and berms
Main Path: Fire road/singletrack, easy, not hard features
How to find it
Most people park at the adjacent Philip Arnold Park and ride a few hundred yards up the road to access the trails.
From Seattle, take I-5 South to I-405 North. Take exit #2 to SR-167 North. As soon as you've gone under the freeway, turn RIGHT onto S Grady Way. This soon turns into Main Ave S. At a traffic light, take a RIGHT onto S 4th St which will go uphill. At the first intersection, bear soft right into Cedar Ave S. Go about 0.4mi, take the first LEFT onto S. 7th St going steep uphill. Go straight to the 4-way stop. Go straight, and before the gate turn right into the parking lot.
To get to the trails, bike up the gated road a bit. You'll see entries on the right; take the one just past the jeep road as one way in. The alternative is to take the first entrance as you crest the top of the road from the Philip Arnold parking lot. Once you're on the trail, the left fork takes you to the main entrance area, and the right fork to the Parasite entrances.
Here is an aerial view of the parking lot.
For those people riding out with a GPS, the trailhead for Tapeworm is at 47.468234N 122.196480W.
Typical Conditions
Does get a little muddy, but generally holds up pretty well. Trail is meant to be a skill-builder, so riding is generally slow and careful.
If you see puddles of water next to the paved road, the trails will be wet-ish. If no puddles, it'll be dry). It can drain pretty quickly, so can literally change from day to day.
Current Conditions
(April 27, 2013) The Tapeworm, Parasite, Silkworm, and Bermsled trails are really nice. There were some muddy patches from a 2-hour rain shower, but nothing too bad. There were puddles on the main path, however. Mr. DNA has some work that needs to be done (face slappers all over), but is still ride able. A tree has fallen across which, unless you are under 5'5", is not really ride able.
(May 16, 2012) Silkworm, Parasite and tapeworm are all in great shape. The brush is started to grow a bit, but it isn't a problem and will be trimmed back real soon. No mud anywhere on the trails either, just firm fast tread!
(April 15, 2012) Silkworm is now longer but watch out for some soft areas. One of the drops goes directly to a curve where I have bit it twice. Flow park in SE corner has some really big kickers.
(March 25, 2012) Trails are in great shape considering all the rain this month with only a few muddy spots.
(March 2, 2012) Trails are clear and dry for the most part after some bad winter storms with lots of fallen branches. More features and options have been added to Silkworm.
(June 26, 2011) Trails are in great shape with minimal mud, but the Tapeworm, Mr. DNA and the ride able section of Crop Circles are quite overgrown. There are currently no fallen trees blocking the trails, and a lot of the features are either looking good or slowly being replaced. A new trail has appeared between the Parasite and the access road called "The Silkworm". It's a less technical trail with lots of berms and "optional" features that includes bridges, drops and jumps. Look up high in the trees at main intersections for new signage.
[May 2011] MANY more trails dissecting the main route than on the map. All are single tracks, some are becoming overgrown in the spring growth though still well negotiable though full finger gloves and sun glasses are recommended to protect from blackberry bush overgrowth. The Parasite trail to the north has been supplemented with another trail called New Parasite. Even with the daily rain this year the trails are mostly damp or dry. Very little sloppy mud.
[July 23, 2010]: Lots of blackberrys. The tapeworm and new parasite trails are clear, but all the other trails are getting overgrown. Many of the features on tapeworm that were built last year are now torn down. Trail is definitely showing its age and neglect.
[November 20,2009]: Trails are clear for the most part except for a down tree that blocks off a turn on Parasite. Overall the trails are in good condition with very little mud. There are alot of leaves which add a bit of challenge to any climbs. Ladders/features seem to be in good shape.
[June 6, 2009]: The draw is nearly overgrown with blackbearies, wear full finger gloves. Access cut straight down the draw by tree crews. Very dry. New skinny at the big rock is fun, with the trail reconfigured to take it straight. Someone has been clearing out blocks at more difficult corners ;(. Tables added at wet rooted area. New drop at third downhill.
[May 1, 2009]: Have been working on drainage in typical wet areas. Trails are gooey in depressions. No standing water except the boggy, rooted area. There are a couple new minor man-made hazards and falls (Parasite & Tapeworm). Well groomed of foliage. Some sticks and clippings on the trail.
Turn-By-Turn Guide
Bermsled is a nice flow route with technical jumps and bermed turns. It is not beginner friendly, but if you go around the doubles and flow over the kickers, all you really have to be able to do is ride berms. Go fast around the berms and fun is assured. The trail has been developed in the very southern end of the map. The trail runs east-west and can be accessed from the "gravel road" almost exactly where the "this gate locked at dusk" text balloon appears on the map.
Silkworm is a new XC trail between the Parasite and the main access dirt road. It can be accessed by going left at the fork where going right takes you to Parasite. It's a mostly downhill, faster flowing trail with berms and optional drops, jumps and bridges. The drops are all rollable (max 2' if dropped), even if they don't look like it from above. However, the optional drop about half way is not rollable, and is about 4 feet. There is one jump that is not rollable, near the big roller coaster. There are several skinnies and log rides. All of the hard features have go-arounds.
Parasite is a twisty, rooted XC trail. If you enjoy sharp turns and roots and log piles, it is the trail for you.
Tapeworm is a long(2.25 mile) trail twisted into a small space. It has very sharp turns and fun features, such as skinnies, logrides, and some drops (max 2'). There are several 2' root drops on the downhills, but all have go-arounds.
Mr. DNA is a shorter trail with fast descents and roots. It is easier than Parasite or Tapeworm. There is a tree that is too low for most riders, so watch out for your head. Some long-forgotten drops and features are off to the side. A section of trees was cleared above Mr. DNA in late 2010, and debris was pushed onto the trail. A reroute has been worked so be aware of changes when you ride it.
The main path is less technical than the Parasite or Tapeworm, so it is a great "warm up" trail and is more beginner friendly that other trails in this area.
The trail is twisty and generally point to point.
Local Points of Interest
There are several options to have a beer and some food after a ride. The closest is the Whistlestop. Go back down the hill and continue straight on S 4th St, you'll see it on the left after a block or two. It's one of the closest to the trail, but not necessarily the best local option - kind of hit-and-miss on food and service.
About the same distance away is the Applebees near Uwajimaya. 375 S Grady Way Renton(425) 687-1200.
If you're looking for good food (primarily pub grub) and an EXCELLENT selection of post-ride brews, try the Dog and Pony. 351 Park Ave N, Renton, WA 98057 (425) 254-8080, very limited parking. Really nice outdoor area to sit on a warm sunny day. Friendly staff, and lots of locals who love good micros.
Another good option is A Terrible Beauty - Irish pub that changes names with great regularity, but has really good food now (excellent Reuben sandwich) and a nice beer selection (although not quite as varied as the Dog and Pony). Located near the Renton transit station in downtown Renton (201 Williams Ave. S., Renton, WA 98057). They have their own parking lot and plenty of on-street parking, too. Often have live music. (425) 227-3396
And yet another option at The Landing in north Renton (a couple of exits north on I-405.. less than 10 minutes away) is The Rock. Really good pizza and their beers are pretty good (their own house brews, but not much else beerwise, but a full bar). 830 N 10th Ste A Renton WA 98055. 425.255.0334
And other places to eat at The Landing include Red Robin and other smaller places (Thai, Gyros, Chinese, etc).
UPDATE March 2011: As a local, I find that Whistle Stop just isn't the quality place it used to be (I don't go there anymore). Dog and Pony is still very good (best microbrew selection around), and I find A Terrible Beauty to be my favorite place these days (best menu IMHO, and solid selection of beers - mix of micros and the standard beers for an Irish pub). If you want pizza, The Rock has terrific pizza with good beer.
Close bike shops: G.H.Y. Bikes is closest, located at 909 South 3rd Street, Renton, 98057 425-227-4825. Center Cycle isn't as close, but larger shop (big Specialized dealer), located at 3950 Lind Ave SW, Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425-228-3661. Not far from the IKEA.
Misc. Information
Tapeworm (or just "The Worm") refers to both the riding area, and one of the trails. Towers of Power is a name you really don't hear anymore (the trails are PSE land with power lines running through the middle).
The actual Tapeworm loop is considered traditionally to be a ONE-WAY trail ridden clockwise (go LEFT to start); you may get grumbles if you ride it counterclockwise (just keep in mind that no one will expect you to be coming the other way, so BE CAREFUL...and don't wear your iPod). It's a great twisty-turny-rocky-rooty trail with nice technical options including a few structures (one excellent long skinny). The trail can be ridden by beginners with some trail experience, but probably more suited to intermediate skills given it's more technical terrain throughout.
Parasite is similar in the technical challenge and can be ridding in 2 separate halves, or a loop. Also could be ridden by beginners (might have to walk over some of the log piles), but like tapeworm, lots of rooty stuff and logs. It can be ridden in either direction.
Silkworm is the most recent trail and is all about flow with some nice kickers and structures, but there are easier options around all the technical features, and the kickers can all be rolled. Nice for both beginners and intermediate/advanced riders (just go fast!!) - the trail is all hand-built and smooth for the most part. It really flows only in one direction (and the structures are all designed for that direction...starts at the top of the hill). It's still being developed, so there may be new additions next time you ride it - builders are putting tons of time/effort into making this trail be a total flow addict's delight. It's the one trail at the worm that is really focused on ripping trail flow, rather than technical, rocky, rooty, twisty. Guaranteed to put a grin on your face!
Note: the drop near the end of the trail is NOT roll-able - it's not a particularly difficult drop (long wood ladder coming in, and has a great landing transition), but no roll option. There is an intermediate trail option to the right.
DNA is not as well maintained as it used to be, but still a fun trail.
Crop Circles has fallen into poor condition - there are blackberry bushes everywhere and although someone usually does maintenance in spring/summer, they grow back quickly. Back in the day it was a cool maze-like trail, but it now not particularly interesting (and a consistent source of thorn flats). Both can be ridding in both directions
It's great fun to ride the last part of DNA downhill, which is the reverse of the typical direction (3rd entrance on the right along the power station fence (go right instead of left once you take the right...left takes you to crop circles). You will have no problem seeing if someone is coming the other way. Pretty good flow, with tight turns.
Bermsled is the trail on the far side (bottom left corner if you're at the top of the hill) and has a great berm section and some medium to large jumps that are well maintained, and the guys that work on it are dirt jumpers, so the jumps are well designed (the big stuff is expert level dirt jumper stuff, but can be mostly rolled or ridden around, and is actually ridable for beginners since the trail is a smooth dirt surface). It's definitely one-direction downhill (due to the high-speed nature of the trail with no good visibility around the berm turns). At the bottom, you pop out of the woods and ride a trail up hill that's in the open.
The best thing about this area is that you can mix-and-match all the different trails and keep it interesting. Many folks will start on either silkworm or one half of parasite, head down to tapeworm for a loop, then back up the hill on the other half of parasite. And if you're a "flow junkie", you'll probably want to hit silkworm more than once. If you ride every trail once, it's about 7.5 miles in total.
The woods there are in a general state of decline with lots of rotting trees. Locals generally maintain the trails so that the falldown is cleared so you don't have to worry about ripping off a helmet light at night. But do be aware that stuff comes down regularly, and there are a lot of rotten trees and branches that will just fall on the trail, or just hang low enough to bang your helmet if you're not paying attention. So if you're riding there and see something like that in the way, do your fellow riders a favor and take a couple of seconds to clear it out.
History
From one of the builders (source):
- Mr DNA was first, then Tapeworm (completed June 20, 1997). "Crop Circles" was opened in winter 1998, then finally the "New Parasite". Crop circles is a remarkable trail in itself, not patterned after any trail I'd ridden but possibly the only MTB trail of its kind. The inspiration came from the notion that it is in clear view of the planes coming into Renton airport, and I thought it was necessary that they saw a spiral on the ground. It is actually a double spiral, 3.5 rotations to the center, then 3.5 rotations back out.
Originally, there were huge North Shore style sky bridges (http://www.mtbzone.com/trails/secret.html), but they were torn down by Puget Power.
Photos
Map GIF
Map PDF
Octopus Man!
Brush
Trailhead to Tapeworm
