Kettle Fest - Multi day Ride Festival

Five days of camping, riding, trail stewardship, and rider fellowship. Come when you can, leave when you must - you don't have to commit to the five days.

Enjoy some of Washington’s best singletrack in a remote, alpine setting of NE Washington. In an annual tradition, riders from all across the region including Seattle, Spokane, Boise and B.C. converge to hang out, experience awesome trails and give back to area with a day devoted to trail work.

 Check out a glimpse from 2 years ago: movie! 

A rough idea of the plan......which is up for discussion:

Wed July 8: Jungle Hill

Easy Option: 10 miles, 1300 ft climbing, 2500 ft descending
Medium Option: 14 miles, 2300 ft climbing, 3300 ft descending
Hard Option: 18 miles, 3600 ft climbing/descending

For the easy and medium options we shuttle up to the top of Sherman Pass and start up the Kettle Crest trail. The hard option starts from the campground with about 1300ft of climbing to get up to Sherman Pass. After climbing on the Kettle Crest there is an optional detour to Columbia Mountain which has an awesome 360 degree view. For the easy option, riders can turn around after Columbia Mountain and descend all the way back to the campground. Otherwise, riders will continue climbing and descending along the Kettle Crest until the top of Jungle Hill where the payoff awaits….

Thursday July 9: Kettle Crest North / Taylor Ridge

Easier Option: 20 miles, 2840 ft climbing, 5266 ft descending
Hard Option: 50 miles, oodles of climbing

For the “easier” ride we shuttle up to Deer Creek Summit and start on the very northern end of the Kettle Crest trail. The ride starts off with a 1000ft climb through a lush forest and then drops quickly to the turnoff for Taylor Ridge. The trail is somewhat primitive in spots but there is plenty of downhill towards the end to give riders a happy ending. For those who are masochistic, there will be an option to ride from the campground, climb up to the Kettle Crest and continue north about 26 miles along the Crest to the turnoff for Taylor Ridge.

For the shuttle we drive north on Hw395 to Boulder Creek Rd and leave 2 cars near the bottom of Boulder Creek Rd( at the exit of FR 6110)

Friday July 10:  Trailwork day

• • Like past years, we will partner with the Forest Service to give the trails some much needed care. This year we will be working on Jungle Hill as well as the Gilbralter Trail. 
  • In solid Kettle Fest tradition, we will probably carpool into Republic or Kettle Falls for drinks and dinner after we work (and swim).

 Old Stage /Kettle Crest 

• Easy Option: 7-10 miles, 800-1200 ft climbing/descending

• Hard Option: 23.5 miles, 3800 ft climbing/descending

  The ride starts off with an easy climb up to the Kettle Crest trail. Once on the Kettle Crest the trail opens up with amazing views while gaining and losing elevation in small spurts. For riders who want to continue with the hard option, we will then ride down Stickpin: a fun descent which we did trail work on last year. From the bottom of Stickpin it’s a steep climb up Ryan’s Cabin to connect back onto the Kettle Crest and head back to the starting point.

Sunday, July 12: Snow Peak Cabin:

Easy Option: 16 miles, 2200 ft climbing, 3400 ft descending

Hard Option: 26 miles, 4800 ft climbing, 6000 ft descending

• For the easier ride we will shuttle up to Sherman pass to begin the ride on the Kettle Crest South trail. The trail climbs up and around Sherman Peak and then continues south to Snow Peak Cabin, a cool spot for lunch. From Snow Peak Cabin most riders choose to head back to Sherman Pass and then down the Sherman Tie Trail for another great descent to the campground. For those riders who are looking for a longer ride, there is an option to continue South from Snow Peak Cabin and climb up to the junction at Barnaby Buttes and then up to White Mountain before turning aro

There's something for everyone in terms of trails at Kettle Fest, with great Kettle Crest views and wilderness quality riding on stellar singletrack. Camping is free at the Jungle Hill Campground and the event is casual.  The event is kid and family friendly so come out to camp, work on trails and ride for a couple days or the entire 5 days. It might be a bit of a drive, but it really is worth it!

Directions: In between the small towns of Republic and Kettle Falls, less than 2 miles NE of Sherman Pass on Highway 20. Head North on Albian Hill Rd #2030. Follow the road for .6 miles to the sign at the edge of the gravel pit. From there stay left and go .2 miles to the campsite area. The campground provides a single bathroom, fire pits, and tables. Water is accessible from a creek but requires treatment.

 map to campground

What to bring:

• all the junk you bring to bike and car camp and celebrate for several days!
• water, ice, bug spray, sunscreen
• bathing suit - the swimming holes are awesome!
• food and beverages

What will be provided:

• free camping at Jungle Hill Campground (pit toilet, no potable water, creek)
• a rough plan for group rides
• a plan and tools for the Friday trailwork day w/ apres beverages from 2 Beers Brewing!
• snacks from our pals at Clif Bar

Questions / Comments:  or call Graham @ (406) 580-3636   fyi; after tues pm I will be unplugged for the most part.....just come join us!