Sleeping Child Trail #105

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Having just (June 2020) gotten caught in a storm on Sleeping Child, I can tell you that the trees up there are ready to fall with any serious wind. They were falling all around us. Please be careful in the older burn areas with standing trees.

This trail is usually ridden as an out-and-back from the parking area at the trailhead before Sleeping Child Hot Springs. The trail begins here, at Road 372.1, and heads southeast to Skalkaho Rye Road #75.

Go until you get battered and bruised, then turn around. For us, this is usually near the junction with South Fork Sleeping Child #84. Along the way expect rocks, cobbles, and scree. The area burned a few years ago, so a fallen tree is always a possibility.

The first time I rode here I hated it, and the second time and the third time. Somehow I eventually was seduced. Maybe it was the first time I returned without any scrapes and blood. Maybe it was coming back without a bent hanger. Has everyone been converted, um, no. Some people seem to be ill or out of town whenever talk of riding here occurs.

Feeling brave? Go for it. At least once or twice people have managed to ride the entire trail and it is rumored that eventually the trail mellows. I do recall some more mellow patches way far up, but I don't think mellow would ever be the correct term.

We have always talked about doing it as a shuttle, but so far no one has volunteered to drive the hour and a half each way to get to the upper trailhead.