Short-but-challenging twisty singletrack in the dense woods just west of Willows Road in Redmond. Steep ups'n'downs make it too difficult for most riders, but for those who live or work nearby, it's a
Short-but-challenging twisty singletrack in the dense woods just west of Willows Road in Redmond. Steep ups'n'downs make it too difficult for most riders, but for those who live or work nearby, it's a great workout. Connects to the Sammamish River Trail and Puget Power Trail. Can get swampy in the winter and overgrown with nettles in the summer.
Tech rating is high due to roots, sharp turns and steeps, but those sections are easy to walk around. Grunt rating is medium because there are no long climbs, however, the many short steep climbs will get your heart pumping. Not recommended for beginners.
The net elevation distance is only a couple hundred feet, but you can easily combine for over 1k on all the fierce little climbs.
How to Find It
It ain't easy your fist time! The best way to find it is to use the Google aerial photo map and pick your own way to the trailhead marker. The woods are roughly bounded by the Willows Rd office complexes to the east, 124th St to the north, 85th St to the south and the residential neighborhoods off of 132nd Ave to the west. There are several ways to get there and several entrances to the trails.
From 405, take the 85th St exit and head east towards Redmond. 85th St becomes 908 and eventually Redmond Way. Make a left on Willows Rd. After about 1 mile, turn into one of the many office parks on your left. Wind your way west through one of the many parking lots and you'll eventually hit the woods.
There are several places to park, but the legal ones are not easy to find. You can park in one of the office complex lots (I haven't heard of anyone getting a ticket). Or park on one of the many side streets east of 132nd Ave (for example, take 97th St to 93rd Ct and there's a little trail at the end of the cul-de-sac that takes you to the southern most entrance to the woods).
Or, Park'n'Ride. You'll appreciate the warm-up, because once you hit the woods, it's a grunt! Park at Sixty Acres / Sammamish River Regional Park, Marymoor Park or anywhere in Redmond and get on the paved Sammamish River trail. Cross the foot/bike bridge over the Sammamish River -- it's about 0.5 miles north of 90th St and 1 mile south of 60-acres. On the west side of the river, head south for a few feet then take a quick right on the next paved trail headed west. Cross Willows Rd, find the paved trail between the power station to the south and the office complex to the north and take that into the woods. Take the first singletrack to your right.
Please Note: Some of the wooded areas along the West side of Willows Road in Redmond are PRIVATE PROPERTY. The property has posted "No Trespassing" signs. The Facilities Manager of Aerojet wants to let bikers know that they face arrest for CRIMINAL TRESPASS if they enter their property.
Typical Conditions
Can get messy! Mud, swamp, nettles, and blackberries are all pretty common. It's best to wait a few days after heavy rains to let it dry out a bit. If you're riding in the late Spring / early Summer, bring something to beat down the nettles.
Local Points of Interest
There's a gun club at the SW edge of the woods, and at some point you ride right next to an archery range.
Turn by Turn
Don't worry about it. If it's your fist time, you will get lost. When you do...
- wind your way east and you'll eventually hit one of the Willows Rd office buildings
- wind your way north and you'll end up in the Medtronic parking lot just south of 124th St
- wind your way west and you'll hit one of the neighborhoods off of 132nd Av
- wind your way south and you'll hit the paved trail that takes you to the Sammamish River
The trail network is roughly in the shape of a double-topped lollipop, with the "stick" starting from the south end heading north, and two stacked loops on the north side.
