Kettle Crest

This trail system consists of over 110 miles of unique mostly sub alpine singletrack all currently open to mountain bikes. The Kettle Crest Trail itself stretches for an impressive 40 miles reaching from the Colville Indian Reservation to the North nearly stretching into Canada. Elevation of the trail varies from the bottom of the spur trails ranging mostly 3 to 4 thousand feet of elevation. Kettle Crest itself runs at around 5 to 6 thousand feet in elevation, as the trail constantly climbs up and down various peaks and saddles.

A ride at Kettle Crest will usually involve riding the Kettle Crest Trail, but at different segments. Some key segments are shown under the "Navigation" tab.

Important Links:

• Colville Public Collaboration Effort homepage you can get all the information you need here!
• Spokesman Review article about mountain bikers and Wilderness that mentions Kettle Crest.
• Forest Service publication about the Forest Plan Revision. This User Comment Form is sent to the Forest Plan Revision Team.  
• MTBR Press Release Kettle Fest 09 sponsored by New Belgium, MTBR.com, Niner Bikes, MSC Bikes, Joyride Cycles, and attended by riders representing Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Fat Tire Trail Riders Club, and SouthWest Idaho Mountain Biking Association.

How to Find It

Kettle Crest is in the Colville National Forest, in the North East corner of Washington State. The most popular access to the trail is on Sherman Pass on Highway 20, in between the towns of Republic and Kettle Falls. Kettle Crest Trail meanders North/South atop the Kettle Range and the trail system also composes of many trails that spur off the mountain range at assorted points across. All of these spur trails eventually wind up ending on these roads. These roads are mostly forest service fire roads, some easily drivable, some get pretty primitive and require AWD or 4WD.

Local Points of Interest

Northern Ales in Kettle Falls offers great beer and pizza! They have done a great job serving Evergreen groups during the yearly Kettle Fest Backcountry Maintenance Program.

Advocacy & Stewardship

EvergreenEast.org is the local advocacy group (formerly FTTRC), based in Spokane.  http://www.evergreeneast.org/

Turn by Turn

Thirteen Mile Trail/Bear Pot Trail

This trail is off the Kettle Crest and starts in the Colville Indian Reservation at Thirteen Mile Campground off of Highway 21. Rising above the Sanpoil River drainage into beautiful rocky cliffs, the steep rocky trail quickly ends, the trail smooths and takes you along the rolling hills above the basin. Affording splendid views of the valley below. Bear Pot is one of the very short spur trails that takes you to the site of an old cabin. You can continue on a forest service road to Ninemile Falls Trail to see Ninemile Falls, it's a hiking only trail, but it's only .3 miles long in the middle of nowhere, so stashing or walking your bike is not a problem.

Snow Peak Trail/Snow Peak Cabin/Kettle Crest South

This section of trail is fantastic. Very challenging rocky terrain, mixed with smooth singletrack. Outstanding views of the West side of the Crest with the grand Snow Peak looming above, as well as a nice cabin that is rented out by the forest service. If it's vacant there is no better place to get some shade on the porch and hang your helmet for a spell.

Sherman Peak Loop

This section consists of rounding Sherman Peak. Easily accessed by riding from Sherman Pass. Cross the road and ride up Kettle Crest South. Riding up immaculate shaded forest up fun challenging rocky terrain. The trail T's with Kettle Crest moving East and Sherman Loop Trail heading West. They meet together again on the Southwest side of Sherman Peak, where Kettle Crest continues towards Snow Peak Cabin. It is highly recommended to ride the loop clockwise. As you ride around from the North either side you quickly enjoy the expansive views that are afforded as a result of the 1988 White Mt. fire.

Kettle Crest North/Columbia Mountain Loop

This section of trail is also accessed by riding from Sherman Pass. Heading north on a pleasant climb through wooded forest, with the occasional open field revealing more views. The first spur trail to the right climbs you up towards a loop trail on Columbia Mountain. Yet another spur trail on this loop will take you atop Columbia Mountain to an old Fire Lookout Cabin. The tree's have since grown in and obscured any view up there, however if you drop the bikes and explore the rocky section off trail on the North Side you can get some of the best panoramic views to be had in the area. Columbia Mountain Trail on the East side does have some exposure.

Sherman Trail/Kettle Crest North/Jungle Hill

A longer ride which follows much the same route at the Columbia Mountain Loop. Starting from Jungle Hill Campground and riding up the Sherman Trail to Sherman Pass. There you continue past Columbia Mountain climbing and descending on sometimes rocky trail, but mostly smooth meandering singletrack. Down a series of switchback and a grunt of a climb up towards Jungle Hill. Jungle Hill Trail is a fun smooth race down through open field and forest.

Old Stage Coach/Midnight Ridge

Old Stage Coach Trail is the remaining segment of the first Washington State Highway. A doubletrack trail important in it's historical significance. Combined with a descent back off the Crest on Midnight Ridge Trail. Which is a smooth friendly sloped trail that takes you through old growth forest and wildflower riddled field.

Stickpin/Ryans Cabin/Kettle Crest North

The very north section of singletrack that can be accessed from Boulder Deer Creek Summit. Fantastic varied epic singletrack, a can't miss experience with views, even shaded pockets of lush wet forest which is a rare so far east. The Stickpin descent is a smooth fast roller, make sure your helmet chinstrap is secured.

Taylor Ridge/Boulder Creek

The Taylor Ridge Trail was cleared and reopened in 2018 thanks to some great local trail maintenance. This trail features incredible views of the Colville National Forest and Colville Reservation and a long ripping descent through beautiful forest. Watch out for the occasional water bar on the Upper Taylor Ridge Trail!

These are but highlights of many options of the many trail experiences that are to be had. Kettle Crest Trail provides a perfect unique backcountry epic cross-country experience and access should be protected.

Colville National Forest Trail Inventory & Recreation Listing