Martin Creek - 429

Martin Creek is an 8.6-mile-long intermediate dirt bike trail in the Methow Mountains. From the north end, it departs from the Eagle Lakes Trail and starts side-hilling on a narrow path through a dense forest on loamy dirt with lots of shade coverage. A lot of the trail is fast and flowy, traversing across the hillside with small embedded rock surfaces and roots, and lots of tight hairpin turns. There are several bigger rock faces you’ll ride over. It passes a scenic view after a half mile, and then goes down several tight switchbacks and a shallow water crossing that is easy. It climbs for the next 5 miles, with frequent switchbacks, some that have embedded rock and roots on the inside corner. At the four-mile mark, there is a scenic view of a waterfall below the Martin Lakes, as you cross a bridge. As you keep climbing, the view opens up underneath Martin Peak, giving you high alpine views of the stunning rock cliffs. You’ll pass below a couple scree fields as well, and there is more frequent embedded rock in the trail at higher elevation. Riding through the scree fields is not difficult, as all the rock has been pushed away, leaving a beat-in path through the scree, but there are several short, chunky rock ledges that you’ll have to ride over throughout the route, mostly in the southern half. They are often embedded rock faces within narrow sections of trail, with chunky layers of rock or cracks, 1-2 feet tall. This is a really epic trail due to the scenery, high-elevation terrain, and fun moderate rocky challenges. The trail system is very well cared for and maintained by a local motorcycle club, and all downfall appeared to be cut by the end of June. The trails are popular for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, so please respect other trail users.