The Gravel Riders Washington
Washington gravel riding
While the gravel rider community is worldwide, this version takes place in the foothills of Washington east of Seattle, from Issaquah to Cle Elum and beyond until the gravel runs out, which is never. We have a huge array of gravel, hard pack and dirt options, from steep rocky fire roads climbing to radio towers, to long straight flatish gravel grinders that stretch forever.
Washington’s Cascades & Foothills
That’s where this story takes place only because it’s where we live and ride. We’re interested in expansion, if you are as well, ping us.
Our gravel riding stacks up against any in the world, we have old rail lines that run through the deepest forests and through the most barren deserts and everything in between. We have gravel climbs into the mountains that will make you run home cryin’ to your mama.
If you live here, then you probably already know what’s up but if you are from elsewhere and gravel-curious, take a little trip with us.
Snoqualmie Pass offers a pretty nice jumping off point, there are countless logging and fire roads, but most get snowed in from late November to March, so we are fortunate to have 100,000+ acre tree farm in spitting distance, so for $60/year, we can ride that and try not to get lost. We regularly encounter wildlife but most times we see no humans – what an amazing resource.
Sounds good, how do I get started out there?
There are 2 main rail trails in the area, one is the SnoValley Trail (SVT) which runs about 30 miles from Duvall and Rattlesnake Lake in North Bend. At Rattlesnake Lake, the Palouse to Cascades Trail (formerly the Iron Horse Trail/ John Wayne Trail) runs east across the state.
For a nice easy-access ride, bring your gravel bike, trail bike, hybrid bike or mtb and park in the big gravel lot at King and Railroad in downtown Snoqualmie.
Go across the street to Bindlestick Cafe and get a triple machiato, suck that baby down then jump on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail (SVT) at Mt. Si Golf Course and probably get to see a bunch of elk across from the couse.
Another option is to cross the bridge above Snoqualmie Falls, head behind the millpond to get to the Mainline to enter the tree farm.
If your plans are to hit the tree farm, you’ll need a permit ($10/day or $60/annual). Motorized permits sell out fast, passes on sale in March.
Get Avenza Maps, download this Campbell Global map pdf and add it to the Avenza app and you’ll be set using the gps on your smart phone (Location).
Below are questions asked to local gravel Facebook groups and forums
Gravel riding gear questions answered
These are questions posed by gravel riders in some of the local-to-Washington social groups Q: Looking for Smaller Handlebar Bag A: Arkel BB Packer, CALIFORNIA BURRITO - HANDLEBAR BAG, Revelate Designs Egress Pocket Q: Gravel tires A: Schwable G series, Panaracer...
eRock’s personal gravel riding gear list
Welcome to my world, as of June 13 this is what I am either riding or will be riding soon. I just found a deep tire rub dent on my '18 Specialized CaadX Ultegra which sucks because I love that bike. I altered it a bit with a black Brooks Cambium saddle, Salsa Cowbell...
New gravel riding merch! Check out the trucker hat, custom bar ends and custom stem caps!
Start you Washington gravel search here >
A decent-sized Strava group of many Sno Valley riders
Come ride with us
What:
Gravel, gravel riding, offroad riding, adventure seeking. mostly dropbar but not always
When:
Year-round, our gravel ranges from sea-level to more than 5,000 feet so there is almost always some snow-free gravel to ride. Or just take your fat bike.
Where
The lower rail-trails if there’s snow, in the summer it’s wide open – it’s often about peak bagging and tower bagging.
it’s just better here
How
Check out some of the stuff on this site, you should be able to glean enough expertly and creatively written directions here.
Who
You, if you want a better life
Why
Because people