Category Archives: News

Shuttle Day and Hidden Meadows Trail Work – 10/26-27

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fall-work-day

Heads up 44 riders. We have a full weekend of 44 Trails events coming your way on October 26-27.

FUNDRAISER SHUTTLE RIDE DAY – Oct 26, 2024 
9am-3pm @ Eightmile Campground

Join us on October 26th for our first-ever shuttle ride fundraising event! We’re partnering with Oregon Territory Outfitters, Fat Tire Farm, the USFS, and Loam Coffee Roasters for a weekend of free mountain bike shuttles. A donation to 44T is greatly appreciated.

Shuttle Day Details

TRAIL WORK DAY – Oct 27, 2024 
Hidden Meadows to Cane Creek connector trail

Join 44 Trails for a trail work day at Hidden Meadows Trail (south) #472 in the Boulder Lakes network.

There will be lunch for everyone, thanks to NY City Subs in Hood River.

WHEN: Sunday, October 27th, 9 am

WHERE: Meet at White River East Sno-Park at the intersection of Hwy 35 and FS48.  We will caravan down to the work spot at the end of Hidden Meadows (#472).

SCOPE OF WORK: We are building an extension trail from the south end of Hidden Meadows to connect with Crane Creek Trail to exclude the road. If you haven’t ridden this gem of a network, come get familiar.

With a shortened maintenance season the last few years (late snow melt and early fire restrictions), we recognize that maintenance has piled up and are working on getting as much done as we can before the snow flies so it is a more rideable network next year. FYI, Hidden Meadows is now cleared and rideable.

WHAT: Building an extension trail from Hidden Meadows to connect with Crane Creek.

REQUIRED: Long pants, work boots, gloves, day pack, water, snacks, bike helmet, eye protection. Bring dirt-digging tools if you have ‘em.

Follow the 44 Trails Association on Instagram

44 Trails Conditions Update 7/1/24

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the view from the bars - cooks meadows44 Trails Conditions Update

More trails cleared for riding!

The following trails are clear and ready to ride:

Newly cleared:
Upper 450
Upper Cooks
Gunsight Ridge

Previously cleared:
Fifteenmile
Cedar Creek
Underhill
Dog River Trail
Surveyor’s Ridge Trail
The Hub Trail
The Super and Super Duper Connector Trails
Eightmile
Knebal
Bottle Prairie
Cooks Meadow (from 44 to 650 road)
Lookout (from 44 to 4420)

Yet to be cleared:
– There’s still a little snow (1/2 mile section) on Gunsight (as of 6/30)
– The more remote backcountry zones, including Boulder, Crane Creek, Hidden Meadows and Forest Creek, have yet to be cleared

Check out the full 44 Trails system map on RideWithGPS

44 Trails Conditions Update 6/7/24

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44 Trails conditions update

44 Trails conditions update – 6/7/24

More 44 Trails cleared for riding!

The following 44 trails are clear and ready to ride:

Newly cleared:
Fifteenmile
Cedar Creek
Underhill

Previously cleared:
Dog River Trail
Surveyor’s Ridge Trail
The Hub Trail
The Super and Super Duper Connector Trails
Eightmile
Knebal
Bottle Prairie
Cooks Meadow from 44 to 650 road)
Lookout (from 44 to 4420)

Yet to be cleared:
– Upper 450 (Lookout) still has snow (and trees yet to be cleared) above the junction to Fifteenmile
– Other high-elevation zones, including Gunsight, Boulder, Crane Creek, Hidden Meadows and Forest Creek

Happy riding!

Check out the RWGPS map of the 44 Trail system

44T Spring Trail Conditions Update

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44 Trails Conditions Update 5/24/24

Thanks to those who helped out last weekend with tread and corner work on Dog River! 

trail work on dog river mt hood

Just a heads up that a majority of the 44 Trails system is still under snow and has yet to be cleared of winter blowdown. Snow-covered trails include much of Eightmile, Bottle Prairie, Lookout, Knebal, Fifteen Mile etc.

The good news is that there are a few trails ready to ride!

The following trails are clear and ready to ride:

Dog River Trail
Surveyor’s Ridge Trail
The Hub Trail
The Super and Super Duper Connector Trails

Also, heads up, the Dog River Super D race will take place this Sunday, May 26, so plan your riding accordingly.

See you out there!

support our volunteer trail stewardship efforts with a financial contribution!

Boulder Fire Info

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Boulder Fire Update – Mt Hood National Forest: Updated Jul 26, 2023

2023 Boulder Fire

2023 Boulder Fire, Mt Hood National Forest

The good news is that the Boulder Fire was successfully contained after burning about 250 acres around Boulder Lake. The bad news is that some fire closures are still in effect and they impact a number of trails in the Boulder Lake area.

You can read the latest Fire Closure Order here.

And here is a Boulder Fire Closure Map

____________________________________

Boulder Fire – Mt Hood National Forest: Updated Jul 13, 2023

A fire in the vicinity of Boulder Lake on the Mt Hood National Forest is forcing closures to campgrounds, roads and trails in the area.

Firefighters are engaged in suppressing the Boulder Fire, which started on July 8 southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead. As of July 13, the fire is estimated to be about 300 acres.

The following road, trail and campground closures are in effect. As of July 13, the USFS published an official closure area with additional trails, roads and campgrounds closed due to the Boulder fire. 

Below are the closures of primary interest to mountain bikers, but beside to read the full Boulder Fire Closure document if you are planning any outings east if Highway 35 on the Mt Hood National Forest.

Trail Closures:
Boulder Lake Trail #463 #463A and #463B
Forrest Creek Trail #473
Hidden Meadows Trail #472
Crane Creek Trail #478
Gunsight Ridge #685
Crane Prairie #464
Gumjuwac #480

Road Closures:
FR 4880
FR 4881
FR 4890

Campground Closures:
Boulder Lake Campground
Little Boulder Lake
Bonney Meadows Campground
Badger Lake Campground
Camp Windy
Post Camp Campground

​The fire is burning in a heavily forested area on steep slopes. Four engines, four hotshot crews and two heavy helicopters are actively working on the fire, with additional resources en route.

A larger area closure is in the process of being implemented for public safety. Visitors are asked to avoid the area as conditions can change quickly.

Visit the Mt. Hood National Forest News and Events page or our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mthoodnf for current information.

Boulder Fire Map

boulder fire map

fire map as of July 11

 

Surveyor’s Ridge – Temp Closure

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Surveyor’s Ridge Trail Temporarily Closed at the South End – June 15-27

Heads Up 44 Trails Users – Surveyor’s Ridge Trail #688 in Mount Hood National Forest will be temporarily closed to the public June 15-27 due to active construction for the City of The Dalles Dog River Pipeline Replacement Project.

Please stay safe and use an alternate trail.

What: Trail closed to public access.
Where: Old Surveyor’s Ridge Trail near the work area and Brooks Meadow Creek.

What to expect:
• Closure notices posted at either end of trail.
• Active construction work and equipment in the area.

surveyors ridge temp closure zone-map

Mt Hood 44 Trails Conditions Report

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Time to get your pedal on! The largest network of singletrack mountain bike trails on the Mt Hood National Forest is ready for riding. The lower 44 Trails network is log-free!

There is still some lingering snow in the dark corners and upper reaches, but here’s the list of rideable lower 44 network singletrack trails:

SuperConnector #449
Cooks #639 (to 1.5 miles above crossing with 4410 road)
Lookout #450 (clear to junction w/15Mile – upper elevation have snow/mud/trees)
Follow us on Instagram for updates!
Join us for a trailwork day this summer!  – Dates are June 26, July 17, September 25
44 Trails is 100% volunteer organization. All donations go directly to trail maintenance and keeping trails rideable!

Mt Hood National Forest Campfire Ban

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mt hood single track mt bikingAugust 5, 2020: The USFS has announced a campfire ban on the Mt Hood National Forest. The ban applies to all camping – developed or not – in and around the 44 Trails zone. The trails remain open and rideable!

Campfires prohibited on Mt. Hood National Forest

Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are now prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest, including in developed campgrounds.

All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order.  Portable cooking stoves and lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off.

July was much drier than average, and August and September are predicted to have higher than average temperatures.  These conditions will continue to increase the risk of wildfire- especially on the east side of the forest.  At the same time, Mt. Hood is experiencing extremely high visitation, increasing the number of preventable fires.

Forest Service crews extinguished over 100 abandoned campfires across the Mt. Hood National Forest in July.  With the current dry, hot conditions any wildfire start poses a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property.  This year every preventable fire also increases our firefighters’ risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, which could impact our ability to respond to fires as the season continues.

“We know campfires are a big part of camping, but this year especially we all need to do our part to prevent wildfires,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Mt. Hood National Forest.  “Fires caused by abandoned or escaped campfires create unnecessary risk for firefighters, our communities, and the forest.”

More forest information and the full text of the Forest Order is on the Mt. Hood National Forest website at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire.  The forest also shares recreation, fire, and safety updates on its Facebook and Twitter accounts at: @MtHoodNF.

For more information about the local and regional fire outlook visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/outlook.aspx