Devils Gulch and Mission Ridge are two sections that are part of the Mission/Tronsen Ridge trail system. Lots of options. You have to go through hell before you get to heaven... From the lower parking
Devils Gulch and Mission Ridge are two sections that are part of the Mission/Tronsen Ridge trail system. Lots of options. You have to go through hell before you get to heaven...
From the lower parking lot it is an eleven mile climb to the top of Devil's Gulch. A long long climb that gives at least one indication of why this trail is named after the fallen angel. However, once at the top you will be rewarded with scenic views of the North Cascades. Best of all the single track is hard packed and usually dry. Long sweeping turns, wide open trails through old growth timber and sharp switch backs make the top of Devil's Gulch and intoxicating ride. No wonder there are so many sinners in the world! After a steep drop off the ridge you will be rocketing back and forth along each side of the canyon. The trail is smooth and fast all the way down and crosses the Mission Creek several times.
The single track in Devil's Gulch is some of the smoothest and fastest in the state.
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. If you were hoping to shuttle, note that road 7100 is closed to cars a few miles up from here. Don't get sucked into driving up to the middle of nowhere on not so well marked 7101. If you want to ride up road 7100 to the top of the trail (a perfectly viable option), you should park at the devils gulch TH as noted above, pedal up road 7100 for about half an hour then at a wide spot big enough to park a few cars in, look for an unmarked trail to the right over a couple of woops. That unmarked trail is actually road 7100 which washed out a few years ago and was never repaired. If you miss that right, you will be on road 7101 which is not the droid you're looking for.
Typical Conditions
It can be dry and hot here. Devil's Gulch can get a bit loose up top from horses and motos if it's been dry for a long time, but once you're following the creek the trails stays mostly nice and firm.
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.
Best best for food is the Country Boys Southern BBQ, 400 Aplets Way, Cashmere. Not open on Sunday or Monday and no alcohol, but very good food. My favorite is the brisket sandwich Carolina style (cole slaw on the sandwich). Their homemade potato chips are always good too.
Advocacy & Stewardship
Devil's Gulch 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.
Turn by Turn
NOTE: The GPS file shows the larger trail network. Reccomended route is climbing up devils gulch to the saddle, and descending mission ridge. For a longer ride, climb devils gulch and continue on Devils Gulch past the saddle (2nd clibers right at the saddle). Use the roads to make a CW loop to the upper mission ridge TH, then descend mission ridge across the saddle back down to the lower Devls Gulch TH. Note, this is a rolly descent with several short punchy climbs between the saddle and the final mission ridge descent.
See this map from the Forest Service: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5313092.pdf
