THE LINE THAT
EARNS ITS NAME
Serpent's Back is the crown jewel of the Ridge Riders trail network. Twelve kilometres of pure enduro — tight switchbacks threading through old-growth Douglas fir, followed by wide-open ridgeline shredding that'll have you grinning behind your helmet.
The trail earns its name on the mid-section descent: a sinuous spine of exposed root gardens and off-camber compressions that demand every ounce of your technical skill. One mistake here and you're walking. Get it right and you're floating.
Capped by a 600m descent to the valley floor, Serpent's Back rewards riders who've put in the time to know it.
TRAIL BREAKDOWN
Fireroad climb to the ridgeline. Legs-only section, no tech. Breathe, spin, and save your energy — the real work starts at the top.
Tight left-right-left sequence over exposed roots. Commitment required on every corner. Don't brake mid-turn — flow or suffer.
Wide berms and rolling compressions. Fast. This is the section you'll be thinking about on the drive home. Pump every roller.
Off-camber root gardens on a narrow ridgeline. High consequence. Do not skip. This is where the trail earns its name and your respect.
Long, loose, steep. The money section. 600m of pure descent to the valley floor. Hold your line, trust your tires, and let it rip.
ELEVATION PROFILE
ON THE TRAIL
GETTING THERE
Serpent's Back Trailhead — Forest Rd 41, Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Take I-90 East to Exit 34 (North Bend/Snoqualmie). Head north on Ballarat Ave N, then turn right onto SE North Bend Way. Follow Forest Rd 41 for 6.2 miles to the signed Serpent's Back Trailhead. Parking area holds approx. 20 vehicles. A Discover Pass is required for parking. Trailhead facilities include a vault toilet and trail information kiosk. No water on-site — pack 2–3 litres minimum.
