Trail Overview
The Indigo Extension Trail is a short but upper-intermediate-difficulty single track from Indigo Lake to Windy Pass. It is a steep climb from north to south, gaining about 800 feet in elevation through several steep and tight switchbacks. The north end starts at an intersection with Indigo Lake Trail near a viewpoint of the lake. The beginning is more gradual and flowy, weaving through a forest of hemlocks and western white pine. As it ascends, it side-hills on a narrow path between the switchbacks on an off-camber trail. There are several rock and root obstacles throughout the route, including blunt root ledges and embedded rock faces. It goes through a boulder field where large boulders line the path, but the trail goes between most of the rock, not over them. A couple of spots are a narrow rock pinch between the boulders, though. There is a final short but steep side-hilling descent down to Windy Pass.
Difficulty
This is an upper-intermediate difficulty trail due to several steep and tight switchbacks and more difficult rock and root obstacles throughout the route. The trail is not overly exposed, but it is narrow and off-camber at times. It is ideal for riders with more experience, but is much easier than the parallel Sawtooth Trail.
