Trail Overview
The west end of Quartz Creek starts at the intersection with Pyramid Peak Trail and climbs all the way to the Manastash Ridge 4x4 trail, gaining 3,500 feet in elevation in 7 miles. The trail is pretty worn in, as it is close to the staging areas on Little Naches Road, and appears to get heavier use – evidenced by wide spots with lots of whoops. The trail is shelfy and exposed right away as it side-hills up the forested steep hillsides, zig-zagging up through the forest. It comes up to a large rock obstacle after about 2.2 miles that is a shelfy and rocky ledge obstacle that is steep and exposed. This is the hardest part of the trail. It leads into an exposed switchback that has been reinforced with cinderblocks, but feels shelfy. Throughout the rest of the route, there are lots of embedded roots and rocks that add to the technical nature, but are more moderate in difficulty. There are also constant rubber waterbars embedded into the ground that have become dug out and blunt. The trail has a few spots with really good views of Mount Rainier; mostly you are in the trees with lots of shade. Watch out for a few small wooden bridge crossings as well. The trail was cleared of any logs by early July.
Difficulty
This is an intermediate route due to one large rock obstacle that is more difficult, and lots of smaller roots and rock obstacles throughout the route that are small ledges and drop-offs ideal for intermediate riders. A lot of the trail is fast, flowy, and easy, but riders should be comfortable with narrow and exposed terrain.
