While this trail up/down El Dorado peak in Hatcher Pass is only marginally a mountain bike ride, it’s a stunningly beautiful hike and far more rideable than I imagined it might be!  

El Dorado as seen from April Bowl . . . it is really a beautiful ridge and super aesthetic ride.

The hike was about 45 minutes to the summit of El Dorado (top of Toilet Bowl for the skiers out there!) and mostly a carry.  There is one section of ridgeline that’s downhill and super fun to ride – a nice change to the climb!  

Haha here we go again . . . this part rode super spicy at the end!

Carrying the first steep section from the road

Carrying the final pitch to the summit – full ridgeline behind me

Summit views don’t suck!

The descent off the top was about 80% rideable (for me) . . . at one point I went over the bars and it was just too steep to see a way to keep riding.  Maybe it’s doable, but holy smokes is it steep and loose without a great run-out!  Once the run-out appears, it’s much more enjoyable to ride!

For what it’s worth, I’d bring far more pads if I do the ride again!

At a minimum, a stunning ridgeline . . . aesthetics get a 10/10!

Brief contemplation before things get super spicy! April Bowl final ridge below across the road 🙂

Alive at the end of the first crux!!! Mellow ridge climb and smooth riding for a bit comes next!

Looking back at the upper half . . . adventure mountain biking at its finest!

Then there’s the climb back to the main ridge, a rocky ‘flat’ section, fun ridgeline ride, and then the final steep pitch to the road.  The steep pitch starts out rideable, then there’s a section with reasonably big rocks that was challenging and caused me to walk . . . then the final pitch is  super loose and super steep and I definitely walked a fair bit.  This part is less rideable than the descent off the summit, for me.  

Overall, a fun evening and amazing light and I’m totally glad I tried it.  My reaction now is some combination of “I definitely don’t need to do that again” and “next time I do it, . . .”  Again, it’s not one I recommend as many riders would hate it, the exposure is huge, and it’s hardly a bike ride . . . but if you’re into such things, it’s fun!  Ha!

For more mountain biking trail reports, check out the whole guide to Alaska biking!!!  Ride on and enjoy 🙂

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