Skill builder ride, nice quick after-work destination. It takes 1-2 hours to ride everything. This is a small system of trails that are tightly wound to make the most of a power utility company lot. T
Skill builder ride, nice quick after-work destination. It takes 1-2 hours to ride everything. This is a small system of trails that are tightly wound to make the most of a power utility company lot. There are now six trails: Crop Circles (only 1/2 can be ridden), The Tapeworm, Parasite, Mr. DNA, The Silkworm and BermSled. The CycoActive map is out of date and currently only lists a few of the trails, but it will get you started in the right direction. This is a trashy section of young deciduous trees, don't expect nice forest (this area is great night riding, just be cautious of low hanging branches).
How to Find It
Most people park at the adjacent Philip Arnold Park and ride a few hundred yards up the road to access the trails.
From Seattle, take I-5 South to I-405 North. Take exit #2 to SR-167 North. As soon as you've gone under the freeway, turn RIGHT onto S Grady Way. This soon turns into Main Ave S. At a traffic light, take a RIGHT onto S 4th St which will go uphill. At the first intersection, bear soft right into Cedar Ave S. Go about 0.4mi, take the first LEFT onto S. 7th St going steep uphill. Go straight to the 4-way stop. Go straight, and before the gate turn right into the parking lot.
To get to the trails, bike up the gated road a bit. You'll see entries on the right; take the one just past the jeep road as one way in. The alternative is to take the first entrance as you crest the top of the road from the Philip Arnold parking lot. Once you're on the trail, the left fork takes you to the main entrance area, and the right fork to the Parasite entrances.
Here is an aerial view of the parking lot.
For those people riding out with a GPS, the trailhead for Tapeworm is at 47.468234N 122.196480W.
Typical Conditions
Well draining area that can be ridden year round. Minimal mud on Silkworm, but the lower Tapeworm area can get muddy in the lower areas. New bridges are being installed to remedy this though!
Local Points of Interest
There are several options to have a beer and some food after a ride. Many fastfood options along Benson, along with an Applebees and McDondalds nearby in downtown Renton near Uwajimaya. 375 S Grady Way Renton(425) 687-1200.
If you're looking for good food (primarily pub grub) and an EXCELLENT selection of post-ride brews, try the Dog and Pony. 351 Park Ave N, Renton, WA 98057 (425) 254-8080, very limited parking. Really nice outdoor area to sit on a warm sunny day. Friendly staff, and lots of locals who love good micros.
Another good option is A Terrible Beauty - Irish pub that changes names with great regularity, but has really good food now (excellent Reuben sandwich) and a nice beer selection (although not quite as varied as the Dog and Pony). Located near the Renton transit station in downtown Renton (201 Williams Ave. S., Renton, WA 98057). They have their own parking lot and plenty of on-street parking, too. Often have live music. (425) 227-3396
And yet another option at The Landing in north Renton (a couple of exits north on I-405.. less than 10 minutes away) is The Rock. Really good pizza and their beers are pretty good (their own house brews, but not much else beerwise, but a full bar). 830 N 10th Ste A Renton WA 98055. 425.255.0334
And other places to eat at The Landing include Red Robin and other smaller places (Thai, Gyros, Chinese, etc).
Close bike shops: G.H.Y. Bikes is closest, located at 909 South 3rd Street, Renton, 98057 425-227-4825. Center Cycle isn't as close, but larger shop (big Specialized dealer), located at 3950 Lind Ave SW, Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425-228-3661. Not far from the IKEA.
Turn by Turn
Silkworm is a one way trail and is the newest XC trail between the Parasite and the main access dirt road. It can be accessed by going left at the fork where going right takes you to Parasite. It's a mostly downhill, faster flowing trail with berms and optional drops, jumps and bridges. It's general the first trail people access when riding this area. The drops are all rollable (max 2' if dropped), even if they don't look like it from above. However, the optional drop about half way is not rollable, and is about 4 feet. There is one jump that is not rollable, just after the large optional drop. There are several skinnies and log rides, 2 fast DH sections along with 2 decent size climbs. All of the hard features have go-arounds. It's a modern "Duthie" style flow trail design. After the first long downhill section there is a Teeter Totter build into a large deck, so be aware the left side of the deck will rise up!
Bermsled is a nice flow route with technical jumps and bermed turns. It is not beginner friendly, but if you go around the doubles and flow over the kickers, all you really have to be able to do is ride berms. Go fast around the berms and fun is assured. The trail has been developed in the very southern end of the map. The trail runs east-west and can be accessed from the "gravel road" almost exactly where the "this gate locked at dusk" text balloon appears on the map.
Parasite is a twisty, rooted XC trail. If you enjoy sharp turns and roots and log piles, it is the trail for you. It's a 2 way trail and is just as much fun in either direction.
Tapeworm is a long(2.25 mile) trail twisted into a small space. It has very sharp turns and fun features, such as skinnies, logrides, and some drops (max 2'). There are several 2' root drops on the downhills, but all have go-arounds. It too is a 1 way trail.
Mr. DNA is a shorter trail with fast descents and roots. It is easier than Parasite or Tapeworm. There is a tree that is too low for most riders, so watch out for your head. Some long-forgotten drops and features are off to the side. A section of trees was cleared above Mr. DNA in late 2010, and debris was pushed onto the trail. A reroute has been worked so be aware of changes when you ride it.
Crop Circles starts just after the exit of Mr. DNA. The actual section the trail was named after (circular trail section) has long been overgrown, but the rest of the trail is still very ridable.
The main path is less technical than the Parasite or Tapeworm, so it is a great "warm up" trail and is more beginner friendly that other trails in this area.
