Elbe & Tahoma Trail Details

There was recently a discussion on the BCH board about some trails I'd never heard of but after the discussion, they sounded like must visit trails. So ... I thought I'd cross post here in case anyone else wanted to check them out.

This information as well as the awesome pics were provided by Diane K who is a frequent rider of these trails. The pics were taken in Nov and as you can see, it's still beautiful!

I love it up at Elbe, I go camping up there November, December (beautiful with the snow fall). We just got back from a ride August 1 - 3rd.

The trails are great... they have trail maps for everyone at the sign's posted in a little box at the two areas as you come in by the handicap ramp and the other by the shed.

You have horseshoe pits to play, water for the horses, camp fire pits, the covered shed for gatherings, and lots of highline area just under the trees and away from the camp area but close enough to where you can see you horses. Basically right on the other side of the road.

When you come into the grounds, you stay straight. It breaks off into two roads and I would suggest to stay left. If you stay left you can pull into the campsite and pull out on the other road. These sites will mean your horses are closer and you
can pull in or back into the spots. You can unload the horses and highline them right close to camp (closer then the first drive in).

You have two bathrooms, one by the handicap ramp just as you come in and one by campsite 6 I think (I usually like campsite 9 it is a back in site).

You have the lower elk spur which is a nice ride and yes the trail does start to climb. Then you have does crossing to the upper elk spur which is still going up but no drop offs. I took this trial system I am explaining with a 15 yr old girl with no riding experience. (Prior to taking her on this ride however I went and took her on the handicap loop just to see her riding experience.) I asked her prior to going up how she was doing and she said fine. I asked her if she was scared yet and she said she left scared down at the bottom just at the bridge. We climbed across to the holly trail and rode that back. It was a great ride.

FYI Does crossing is also nicknamed the Peanut Loop.

Normally I ride Does crossing on up to the upper elk spur and then take that to Peggys crossing, the upper elk spur follows the road and is very wooded so no steep drop offs. You just have to be careful as Fawn Crossing connects to the Upper Elk spur and there is one place that is like a Y you want to stay to the right. The sign is up ahead alittle and hard to see coming this way. However Fawn crossing is a cut off and a very nice trail to ride that connects to the Holly Trail.

Once you get to the Camp Site (whoever is putting it in GREAT JOB it will be nice once completed) you can go around the blue gate by a trail and connect to Bucks Crossing up ahead of the culvert on the left side of the road. At the top you just have to start watching on the left side for the trail or you can take Peggys crossing (lots of switch backs and it does climb which can intimidate a experienced rider or someone that does not like steep trails).

Take Bucks Crossing down to the Lower Elk Spur and there is a couple of water crossing on Bucks Crossing so the dogs and horses can drink. When you get to the T take the Lower Elk Spur back into camp.

As you can tell I have never rode this system :).

If you take Peggy's Trail remember your camera. On a nice day you can take pretty photos of Mt Rainier.

Nice area lots of tree cover and the trails are awesome.

When I was up there I didn't run into any bees which was a good thing as sometimes you have bees nest along the trail but this year you don't or at least I didn't notice. You will have fun it is a great area and very nicely put together easy access off the road and very well kept.

DIRECTIONS:
I do not take Hwy 7 way too many corners under 20 MPH and very steep hills.
I come from Olympia take Hwy 12 into Yelm go through Yelm to McKenna. Go Right follow this to Hwy 7 and instead of going Right I go straight ahead and into Eatonville. Go Left and follow this all the way to the T at the Lake which is a steep hill going down. Go Left on Hwy 7 and follow through Elbe and keep going straight. At Mile Post 5 turn on blinker left and then turn into horse camp. Sign on left side of the road looks like a street sign says DNR Horsecamp.

Love it! If you have never been there and can handle trails that are between a 1.5 to a 3.5 go for it.... however, Bull Run (another great trail on the system) I would classify as a 4.5 along with Peggy's crossing which has alot of switch backs but I wouldn't pass them up for anything... Great system go and enjoy tell the person that doesn't want to go :p and go.... Just my opinion you'll love it.

Other resources for information on this trail:

• Location - From DNR this PDF shows the location of the trail system. It takes awhile to download.
• Purchase - Here you can purchase a map for $1.00
• Mount Tahoma Trails Association- Lots of great info here - maps, directions, etc.