Rain Trail and Sidewinder

Dogs Unknown

Rain Trail and Sidewinder Trail provide the complement to Big Merlin Trail, being located on the other side of the East McCarty Hill ridge.

Rain Trail starts from the parking lot on East McCarty Hill, one of the best places to park if you don't want to start at the bottom of the hill.

Rain Trail got its name because it rained every work day scheduled for its construction, but it hasn't suffered from that, providing a nice rolling style as it surfs the contour on its way out the ridge. After it meets a cut-across shortcut that goes to the road and Big Merlin Trail, the trail drops through some fun switchbacks before climbing back up to cross a snowmobile trail.

Once it crosses the snowmobile trail, it becomes Sidewinder as it continues its journey along the ridge. After a short climb, you'll see the junction for the Eagle Trail. Go past that (but hike Eagle Trail later - it's awesome!) and continue until the trail merges with Dead Dog Loop.