Trail Overview
963 is a very long and curvy single track for 12.6 miles through the Wenatchee National Forest. The north end starts on the Little Naches Road, and it curves through the forest, paralleling FS 1906 for the first mile until it intersects with the northern intersection of 963B. 963B is an alternate route that will take you to the same place, but that route is slightly longer and slightly more difficult. At the 3-mile mark, it intersects with 963B again, and the northern intersection with 963A, which goes south and cuts off about 3 miles of 963 and is an easier option. 963A and B are your bail out options. If you continue on 963, you are committed to the next 6 miles. You’ll curve through the forest with lots of short climbs up and down and around the hillsides, with frequent moderate root and rock obstacles, but nothing extremely difficult. There are short steep climbs and loose descents, and mild exposure in spots of side-hilling. It mostly ascends gradually for the first 6 miles, then descends through similar terrain for the second half of the route. The last mile and a half is the easiest and most gradual as it intersects with 952 and weaves around through the Crow Creek Campground and Sno-Park, eventually ending at the Little Naches River next to Little Naches Road. This trail is easily accessible from many of the staging areas along Little Naches Road, so you’ll likely see other riders, especially on busy weekends. There are lots of whoops throughout the route as well, and it’s extremely dusty.
Difficulty
This is a moderate route because it is a long trail with frequent intermediate rock and root obstacles, including short and steep climbs and descents, and moderate switchbacks. The trail is not overly difficult, so it makes a good route for beginner riders looking to improve their single track skills into intermediate terrain, but use caution in the narrow and exposed sections.
