Esmeralda Basin Tr1394
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Overall: 8
Aerobic: 8
Technical: 7
Steepness: 8
Flow: 6
Singletrack: 100%
The Cle Elum Washington Esmeralda Basin Trail and South Esmeralda Peak Tr1392.2 combine to create a very challenging Esmeralda Peak loop.
Type
Loop
Length
Avg: 11mi
Ascent
Intense
Elevation Change
TH:3750'
Avg Ascent:4700'
Ascent Incline
13%
Duration
Avg: 2.5hr
Weather
Forecast
NOAA
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USFS
Trail
Review
This CCW loop starts with a North Fork Teanaway Tr1358 ascent to Esmeralda Basin Tr1394, then the ascent continues to FR301, with a steep Boulder De Roux Tr1392 and South Esmeralda Peak Tr1392.2 descent to the TH.
Expect a rocky, rooty, rough, scree strewn trail and be ready for a lot of climbing.
This ride is best suited for endurance riders, able to handle steep, sustained ascents and technical terrain.
For those with the stamina/insanity, the basic Esmeralda loop can be extended by adding Iron Peak Tr1399, the seriously backcountry Koppen Mtn Tr1225... or both.
The all-day epic 20mi (7500' ascent) Esmeralda Basin Tr1394, Koppen Mtn Tr1225, Johnson Medra Tr1383, North Fork Teanaway Tr1358 CCW loop would challenge any serious backcountry rider, with extreme ridgeline terrain which includes cliff exposure and dangerous scree fields.
Note: Koppen Mtn Tr1225 is lightly used and maintained. FR301 is also called Fortune Creek Tr4W301, also an indication of the road condition.
Directions: NW Forest Pass required right at the TH. Teanaway Rd. for 7mi, bear right onto North Fork Teanaway Rd. Go past the horse camp to the De Roux CG. View Larger Map. No Map?.
Loop Directions
mEsmeralda
- TH: From the De Roux campground, start the steep ascent on North Fork Teanaway Tr1358, to the FR9737 TH at 1.3mi, then ride to the end of the road and resume the ascent on Esmeralda Basin Tr1394. Pass the hiker-only Ingalls Way Tr1390 intersection on the right at 1.7mi and the Lake Ann County Line Tr1226.2 intersection at 4.8mi, with some big switchback ascents and unrelenting terrain along the way.
- 5mi: Just past the Lake Ann County Line Tr1226.2 intersection, crest the ride summit at the 5970' saddle, followed by a very steep, tight switchback section to FR301.
- 6mi: Go left on FR301 (Fortune Creek Tr4W301) and ascend past Gallagher Head Lake and Gallagher peak to the Boulder De Roux Tr1392 intersection.
- 7.3mi: Go left on Boulder De Roux Tr1392 and navigate a big switchback descent to the South Esmeralda Peak Tr1392.2 intersection.
- 9mi: At the South Esmeralda Peak Tr1392.2 intersection either continue on Boulder De Roux Tr1392 and FR120, or descend South Esmeralda Peak Tr1392.2 to the De Roux campground TH.
Trail Index
This Ride
Esmeralda Basin Trail 1394, Koppen Mountain Trail 1225, Johnson Medra Tr1383, South Esmeralda Peak Trail 1392.2
Area
Wilderness
Ingalls Way Trail 1390, Lake Ann County Line Trail 1226.2
Orv
Fortune Creek 4W301
Campgrounds
De Roux Campground
Trail Rankings
Ranking consistently applied to all of the listed trails.
- Overall Rating: Ride quality and challenge
- Aerobic: Ascent challenge
- Technical Difficulty: Terrain challenge
- Steepness: Average incline
- Flow: Uninterrupted riding
- Elevation Change: Total elevation gain
- Ride Difficulty: Terrain challenge
