Wildcat Trail to Green Lake 10.4.12
(Last Updated On: October 8, 2012)
When it comes to our local trails, one of my favorites without question is Green Lake. If I was asked to find fault with it, though, my answer would be that it’s an out-and-back. I think if you ask just about anyone if they would prefer to ride a loop or an out-and-back, almost everyone would answer “a loop”. While I’ve ridden a big loop all the way around Axtell that utilizes the Green Lake trail, I’ve never taken the time to check out the Wildcat trail. After hearing one of my clients talk about it a couple of weeks ago, however, I decided it was time to see if the Wildcat trail was a worthwhile alternative.
The start of the trail is actually a road- about 3/4 of a mile past the winter trailhead on Kebler Pass. It’s surprisingly hidden, but quickly crosses Coal Creek.
There is some great camping here, but the road quickly begins ascending the forest at a steep angle with plenty of rocks:
The pictures might not do it justice, but I was walking quite a bit of this road. Eventually I turned right off the road, where my route became singletrack. The trail remained steep, however, so I still had quite a bit of hike-a-bike.
Finally I popped out on the ridge near Green Lake, with a great view of Axtell.
If I were to guess, I probably walked close to half the distance from Kebler Pass to Green Lake. So the question is this: What’s better, an out-and-back that is 100% rideable (but tough), or a loop with a bunch of Hike-a-bike? I’ll be taking the out and back option. Curiously, the out-and-back route I usually take (Tony’s to Green Lake to the rec path) is slightly longer (2 hours, 20 minutes/ 20 miles) than the wildcat version (2 hours, 10 minutes/ 18.4 miles). My bike computer was picking up the hike-a-bike sections, for what it’s worth.
Frank Konsella
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Loop it. Climb Green Lake, descend Wildcat.
Ed
I thought about that, Ed. But Green Lake is so good, and a lot of the Wildcat trail is a road descent. Overall you would do a bigger, longer climb on Green Lake for a shorter descent on Wildcat (since you come out quite a ways up Kebler). Those were my thoughts, though I could see Wildcat being a fun and chunky descent.
Frank, I agree with your response there. Considering the amount of hike-a-bike on Wildcat I’d also vote for the out-and-back. While the climb on green lake is challenging its pretty much all rideable and personally never bothered me that much, especially knowing I’d have the pleasure of ripping back down it at some point.
On a sidenote, it’s surprising how little bike traffic Green Lake gets. When I was first exploring the area I noticed most sources of beta omitted it completely. After my first ride I was blown away by that, because I was hooked. Grant it, I don’t mind the solitude, but I can’t believe such a great ride to an alpine lake, that starts right from town isn’t more highly promoted.
It’s a tough uphill and an out and back, Jay, and that doesn’t appeal to as many people as gentle loops. But I’d agree, it’s both scenic and in my mind a top 5 descent, but it isn’t for everyone.