Siouxon Creek Trail / Out & Back, Chelatchie, WA

If you like smooth singletrack, lush forests, and little elevation gain, this ride will easily become one of your favorites. In fact, the ride begins downhill, so the only elevation gain is in climbing back up.*

This trail can be accessed from two points on Forest Road 5701. Approximately one mile down Forest Road 5701, after the first hair-pin bend, is the first entry point. The next access point is 3 miles further, at the end of the road. The parking area is smaller.

From the second trailhead, at the end of Forest Road 5701, the trail descends to cross West Creek and then follows Siouxon Creek upstream. The trail intersects with trail #140 Horseshoe Ridge trail in approximately 1 mile. Proceeding upstream the trail intersects with trail #156 at the confluence of Siouxon and Wildcat Creeks, after two miles. A short distance away the trail intersects trail #140 again. Continuing on Siouxon trail #130 about 1/2 mile further lies trail #130A. The trail parallels Siouxon Creek for about 3 miles, until reaching Calamity Creek. Calamity Creek crosses the trail and spans about 20 feet of the trail skimming over rocks. Caution is needed as the rocks can be slippery! The trail gains 1900 feet in the final 3 miles, with steep switchbacks making the ascent easier. The trail terminates on Forest Road 58. Users who elect to begin from Forest Road 58 should be aware that the switchbacks are difficult to negotiate and one does risk falling.

Directions: From Interstate 5, cross the Lewis River at Woodland into Clark County, and turn left, heading east on Northeast Hayes Road, which turns into Cedar Creek Road. After 17.5 miles, that becomes Highway 503, which continues two miles to Chelatchie.

From Chelatchie, drive east on NE Healy Road, which turns into the paved Forest Road 54. At a Y, turn left on Forest Road 57 and take another left onto 5701. The trailhead is on the left about 50 yards past a sharp right bend in the road.

Access:
Road 5701 and Road 58

* From the guidebook "Mountain Bike America: Washington"
Chelatchie, WA - Mountain Biking - 14 miles