Stevens Pass Bike Park has officially announced that they will open for the summer season this coming Saturday, May 23rd, 2015, with all bike trails open (conditions permitting) and their 18-basket disc golf course fully installed. This will be their earliest summer season opening to date since adding summer operations with the bike park in 2011 and their 18-basket disc golf course in 2013. They’ve been busy preparing the bike trails, and they’ll be ready to ride!

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This and cover photo by Julian B. Tracy.

If you have not experienced the downhill biking trails at Stevens Pass, this season will offer you more opportunities than ever before. You can rent bikes and protective gear at the lodge and the chairlift will carry you and your bike up to the top of Hogsback where you can choose from a variety of trails. There are more mellow trails crossing long boardwalks through forests and over brush, and high adrenaline jump lines that will send you soaring. They continue to add new trails and improve existing trails with a total of 7 trails as of this season. See the full trail map for the Stevens Pass Bike Park, and follow them on Facebook for updates.

To give you an idea, here’s a video shot at the end of last season by Leavenworth local, Jake Martinez of rider Kevin Littlefield, getting after it on one of the more advanced trails.

With 18-baskets of disc golf at Stevens Pass, there’s yet another reason to head for the hills this coming Memorial Day weekend. For $12, ride the chairlift up and play your way down enjoying a challenging but fun course with heavily wooded areas, open areas, creek crossings, and this early in the season, likely a little bit of snow. In July of 2014, there was still snow on the course. You can also rent discs and a carrying bag if you don’t have your own. See the full disc golf course map.

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Photo of Jennifer Groos teeing off at basket #13, shot by Andy Jaynes

This coming Monday, May 25th, on Memorial Day, the Leavenworth Disc Golf Enthusiasts will host a tournament to kick off opening weekend. Registration is from 11am – 11:45am in the main lodge, with the tournament starting at 12pm. Players of all ability levels are encouraged to come out and enjoy this beautiful course for a chance to win disc golf schwag and cash prizes for the top 3 competitors. There’s a $10 cash entry fee due at registration. Join the Facebook Event for more details.

Visit StevensPass.com for more information on their summer operations or to buy a season pass.