Rat Pac Trail is a 4-mile downhill fast, fun swoopy trail. The trail has hard and easy lines and is well marked, there are structure options for more advanced riders. The trail is accessed from Cle El
Rat Pac Trail is a 4-mile downhill fast, fun swoopy trail. The trail has hard and easy lines and is well marked, there are structure options for more advanced riders. The trail is accessed from Cle Elum using a logging road climb or longer options from Roslyn with mostly singletrack leading to great views from slickrock on the top of Roslyn Ridge into the Teanaway valley. The hillside has several other trails worth exploring.
This trail is only 90 minutes from Seattle.
How to Find It
Directions to Rat Pac Trail from eastbound I-90, Exit 84, Cle Elum Washington:
Two options: From eastbound I-90 take exit 84 and follow the exit road directly down the hill into Cle Elum coming to the Cle Elum flagpole park which will see on your left, at the first light. You may park there in the parking lot on either side of the grass picnic area. Pedal to the north end of the park and you will see 2nd street. Pedal on across Second Street to enter the Coal Miners Trail which is slightly northwest of park after you cross 2nd street. Follow along up the Coal Miners Interpretive trail until you come to the first working road (also known as Alliance or Shaft Street, not #5 Mine Rd) which crosses the trail and turn north (or take a right) and you are on your way to rat pac trail.
From eastbound I-90, take the Roslyn exit and head toward Roslyn on Bullfrog Road where you will come to two roundabouts. Take the second roundabout which will direct you toward Cle Elum. You will come to Alliance Road on your left just before you enter Cle Elum (and across from the high school, take a left there. You will come to the first yellow gate - mentioned in the new directions posted below and you may park there and begin your ride.
Alternate Starting Location in Roslyn:
If starting here following alternate turn by turn below. Head East on I-90 to the Roslyn exit. Go left over the freeway and head north to the
Typical Conditions
Dry and packed, well-drained.
Turn by Turn
There are a lot of different ways to get to the top, but riding UP the Rat Pac trail is not one of them... See the map and GPS track for suggestions. Once on your way down, you'll find the start of the lower Rat Pac trail marked between two Ponderosa's with a brown MTB sign nailed to the one on the right (see the pic).
There is now a signed ascent path marked on the side of the Coal Mine Trail (see photo). Note that this map shows the ascent path in yellow, and describes it as "RatPac Trail - Bi-Directional Multi User". Don't misinterpret that as an actual trail - it's a gravel road.
