If you have ever been to Timothy Lake, you are likely familiar with the fact that Portland General Electric (PGE) manages some of the area. In fact, PGE manages about 25 miles of mixed use trails—a majority of which are open to mountain biking.

PGE is undertaking a management plan update and are reaching out to the mountain bike community to get some feedback and further guide their process.

Take the PGE Timothy Lake area trails survey!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X8MM375 

Here are a few words from PGE about the project:

PROEJCT SUMMARY:  As a park of Portland General Electric’s (PGE) Recreation Resource Management Plan, we are planning, conducting, and completing improvements to the Timothy Lake trail system in the Mount Hood National Forest.

Projects will include the following:

• Construction of four smaller trails to create hiking and mountain biking loops off the main Timothy Lake trail.
• Overhaul of the trail wayfinding system around Timothy Lake.
• Creation of an adopt-a-trail program for trail maintenance.
• Reduction of user conflicts on the trails through signage, reroutes, and new trail construction.
• Improvement of the overall condition of the trails:  Removal of safety hazards, mitigation of resource damage, repair of structures, restoration trail tread and travel corridor.

PROJECT TIMELINE:  In 2017 and 2018, PGE will be conducting trail condition assessments, surveying trail users, compiling data, and collaborating with stakeholder groups for the Timothy Lake Trail Improvements Implementation Plan.  In 2019, PGE will submit a completed implementation plan.  The plan will include a 5 to 6-year phased approach to trail improvements and construction.  All improvements will be completed by the end of 2025.

Enjoy a SINGLETRACK BURGER and Support Hood River Mountain Bike Trails – Thank You Sixth Street Bistro!

The Singletrack Burger is a Barbecue Bacon Cheeseburger featuring a half-pound beef patty, topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, barbeque sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and served down at the long-running locals’ favorite – the Sixth Street Bistro and Pub in Hood River.

Sixth Street owners, Chris and Stacie Creasy, named the burger and linked it to the wide variety of mountain biking in Hood River by donating  $1 for every Singletrack burger sold to local mountain bike trail groups including the 44 Trails Association and HRATS (post canyon trails). The Sixth Street Burgers and beers on tap have been a local staple for aprés ride fare for many years.

The Sixth Street has been supporting local trail development with the Singletrack Burger for almost three years, which translates to thousands of dollars going back to Hood River mountain bike trail maintenance! Thank you Sixth Street!

Next time you find yourself mountain biking in Hood River, treat yourself and the local trails with a Singletrack Burger.

NEW SIGNAGE COMING SOON – Thanks to Hood River Bicycles!

Numerous great businesses and cyclist support the 44 Trails Association with their labor, donations and logistics support (just look at the banners on the right of our home page). But we need to offer a special thanks to Hood River Bicycles (HRB) for their recent generous and ongoing support.

New style signage – more coming soon!

Old 44 Trails Signs – cool but in need of updating

Not only has HRB been dedicating a percent of their demo bike proceeds to 44 Trails for the past few years, they have made an additional, generous donation specifically for the purchase of new signage on Surveyor’s Ridge and other needed signage updates on the 44 Trails network! We thank you HRB and all of the folks who will benefit from the new signs will thank you!

The mountain bike and Hood River business communities have been super supportive of our work up on the 44 network and we ask that you, the peddlers and users of the 44 trails network, show your appreciation by giving our supporters your business! Thanks again Hood River Bicycles!

The Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia Gorge has created a lot of closure notices in the Gorge and on the Mt. Hood National Forest, but the 44 Trails area east of Highway 35 is NOT affected by the closures. The 44 trails and Barlow District are under industrial level fire precautions – no fire, no saws, no shooting – but the trails are open to bicycles, hikers and horses.

The smoke is primary concern up on the 44 zone and today the area is above the smoke! That’s right, it’s clear and beautiful up on the 44! Of course, smoke impacts change with the wind and weather, so be prepared for it change.

As for closures related to mountain bike trails – Hood River County has closed all county forest land to recreation for the time being. This closure includes Post Canyon on the west side of town. In fact, the west side of Hood River is under a level one evacuation notice – which means “get ready” to evacuate.

Stay up to date with the latest closure and evacuation notices affecting Hood River and Mt Hood area mountain biking:

To read more about Eagle Creek Fire related closures affecting Hood River County – the Hood River Sheriff’s office is the best source of current information: Eagle Creek Fire Closure info for Hood River County

To see the map of Eagle Creek Fire closures related to the Mt Hood National Forest, the USFS is the best source for current information: USFS Mt Hood National Forest Closures as of September 9, 2017