Category: Mountain Biking

  • Tolt-MacDonald Park owning July

    Ain’t no party like a Tolt-MacDonald party. We own the month of July. You are looking at three events that will be taking the park to 11. That’s right: it is so awesome, we installed a knob that goes one further, not to 10, but 11! What, you ask, are these epic events? Well, we…

  • We’re havin’ a party and everybody’s invited!

    Turning seventy-five may inspire some people to gold-plate their Senior Citizen cards, but we here at King County Parks aren’t slowing down one bit! Instead, we’re throwing a bash, Parks-style, with trees, trails, and treats! Join us as we celebrate 75 years of parks, trails, open space and general awesometicity with a big she-bang on…

  • Dirt and Bike Lovers Paradise: The Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival

    For the hard-core, adrenaline seeking mountain bikers or those flirting with the idea of giving it a try for the first time and everyone in-between, come join us for the annual Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival at King County Parks’ Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. There will be lots to see and do with 40+ vendors,…

  • Spend National Trails Day, Sat, June 1, in Your Big Backyard

    Join us on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 1, to learn more about our growing network of 180 miles of backcountry trails spread across more than 16,000 acres of park lands. Did you know that over our 75 year history, King County Parks has built an impressive legacy of natural lands? You know, the kind…

  • New trail at Cedar Creek uncovers Ewok village (we swear!)

    This past Saturday, May 11, locals and trail enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the opening of the brand spankin’ new loop trail through Cedar Creek Park, an Ewok-like forest paradise nestled between Covington and Maple Valley in unincorporated King County. Cedar Creek Park is actually 2 parks: King County’s portion, called Cedar Downs, and the City…

  • Seattle Bike Expo 2013

    Seattle Bike Expo is this weekend. Who’s comin’ with us? No seriously, we will have a booth, with shiny things and lots of knowledge to dispense. We have the new regional trails map to show off, as well as, updated backcountry maps AND five new ones! Hint, Duthie Hill is one of them. Get the…

  • No flourescent lights allowed

    It’s not always a Monday afternoon; it could be any day of the week and you still feel like you’re dragging at the office or you’re going a little stir crazy with the kids running circles around you at home. We’ve all been there and know it doesn’t feel any good to be stuck in…

  • Owl attacks have ceased. You may now enjoy your eagles, as in Soaring Eagle Park.

      You may now enjoy the park without fear of owl attacks, but please, always use caution and never challenge their ability to make it to the tootsie roll center of a Tootsie Pop.

  • New and improved trails coming to Big Finn Hill Park

    Big Finn Hill Park, which is nestled between Saint Edward State Park and O.O.Denny Park in Kirkland, is a versatile place: its 220 acres feature both a ballfield complex and a trails system.  Some 3.5 miles of twisty, looping trails wind through the park’s forest, offering a lovely backcountry experience for hikers and mountain bikers…

  • “If she can do it, I can do it.”

    The Scene: A 12-year-old girl looks on as an impressive number of pro female riders compete in the Sweetlines Sugar Showdown hosted at Duthie Hill Park, the first all-female freeride competition of its kind in the northwestern United States. Then, the 12-year-old girl gets on her own bike and takes first place in the amateur division. That’s not…

  • Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park: Mountain Bike Fest

    Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park: Mountain Bike Fest, a photo by kingcountyparks on Flickr. Duthie: Then & now slideshow. Thought we’d blast you with “The evolution of a bike park” from our Flickr feed. The Mountain Bike Fest was a hit. A lot of vendors, bikes, kids and smiling dirty faces. If you are too…

  • Field Notes: Last spike + volunteers = Trail complete in Grand Ridge Park!

    On Thurs, Feb 23, after 77 days and more than 4,600 volunteer hours of work over the course of 17 months, volunteers from Washington Trails Association put the last spike into the 600-foot-long boardwalk across the north hemlock bog in Grand Ridge Park. For 10 years, WTA volunteers have been building and improving Grand Ridge’s…

  • Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park re-opened

    Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park, a photo by kingcountyparks on Flickr. Thank you to all of the hard working volunteers! Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park is re-opened.

  • Fitness Challenge Alert!

    Storm damage at Duthie Hill and Tolt MacDonald Park close some high intensity challenges Douggie the Douglas Squirrel was starting to get a bit of cabin fever after snowmageddon so we decided to head out to Tolt MacDonald Park for a Fitness Challenge hike.   As we were heading up the high-intensity hike we were stopped by a giant tree…

  • Little Footprint Big Forest Project Update – Thanks Matson!

     A BIG THANKS to Matson for donating 4 – 24’ cargo containers for our Little Footprint Big Forest project! We just received our first two containers and our crews can’t wait to start the (de)construction.  When completed, the camping cargo container will feature an adaptable floor plan complete with beds, a table, and a multi-purpose…

  • Duthie Hill’s first anniversary, June 11

    If you are already a fan of King County Parks on Facebook, this is old news for you. But for the rest of the internets, take a look at our upcoming drawing via our Facebook page. Join KC Parks and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to celebrate Duthie Hill’s first anniversary at the “Duthie Demoversary” this…

  • My, has it been 35 years already?

    Back in the heyday of bell bottoms was born a quiet park along a big river in sleepy Carnation. Although much has changed in the world around us since the park opened as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the story behind the creation of Tolt-MacDonald Park continues to inspire us today. The…

  • Enter new year…

    On average, folks gain 7 to 12 pounds over the holidays. You heard correctly – 7 to 12. So unless you’re packing it on to keep warm this winter, maybe it’s time to hit one of our parks or trails and break a sweat. Visit our online Park finder map for suggestions on activities or…

  • Saving lives one park at a time

    The New York Times has stumbled across something. It’s called the outdoors. We are huge fans, as a matter of fact *we maintain a healthy chunk of them, so why not come check them out and live a longer/less angry life in the process. * We’re not doctors we just play them outside.

  • Get the kids out this weekend.

    I have been shooting folks in our parks for about four years, and I have to say this might be the most geniune grin I have seen on any youth I have shot in one of our parks. Got me thinking that all it really takes sometimes is to just get out with the kids…

  • Duthie = media hog

    Check out the latest appearance of Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park in this trailer for Howell at the Moon Productions “Pedal Driven“. EPIC!!!

  • Things are afoot…

    Alright well we are still recovering from an action packed weekend, what with our Duthie Hill grand opening, and our first annual Big Backyard 5K. This was all just the kickoff to one crazy summer crammed with concerts, Cirque, movies, trail running, trail art, mountain bike races and so much more. Oh! and none of…

  • Random photo post: Tolt-MacDonald a bridge over…

  • Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park screen time

    King 5’s Evening Magazine aired their first Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park piece last night. Click here to see it in all its glory. Remember kids don’t try these moves at home…do it at the park.

  • “Hard at work so, you can play” case # 1023

    Oh hi I didn’t see you there.  This? Oh nothing it’s just our awesome staff (including the ever capable Backcountry Trails Crew) retrofitting a bridge we had built in partnership with the Washington Trails Association a few years ago on the Grand Ridge Trail. Based off of visitor feedback, visitors of the equestrian kind, we…

  • Backcountry trail maps online – get some

    We just loaded our new backcountry maps to the the King County Virtual Map Counter. Drop by the Backcountry page to see what trails we have to offer and where your next hike, bike or ride will be then hit the counter. Enjoy.

  • Spring sun on Saturday out at Tolt-MacDonald

    Living in the Northwest, we cherish every second of sun when it decides to grace us with its presence. This Saturday was a perfect example. Had you paid a visit to Tolt-MacDonald, you would have seen a packed parking lot and acres of people. The park was not only host to a volunteer group, girl’s…

  • Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park – Seattle Times sneak peek

    Seattle Times did a walk-through of the Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park (opening in May). Give it a read, peruse the photos, and watch the video over at their site or in today’s Outdoors Section…minus the video of course.

  • Your Weekend = Seattle Bicycle Expo

    You live in the Northwest, and odds are you have a bike for leisure or commuting. Why not stay up on and/or drool over all the latest tips, tricks and gear at the Seattle Bike Expo? Saturday, March 13, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. King County will…

  • Grand Opening: Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park

    That’s right kids it’s official, the grand opening will be May 22. In the meantime Parks staff and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance are putting finishing touches on what is sure to be an amazing bike park. Stay tuned “We’re at work so you can play”.