Hey everyone, the 8-Mile trail parking area (just off 44 road, across from the 450 trail) will be closed on Thursday, August 14 while the USFS works to remove some standing dead trees.
All trails remain OPEN for riding! If you find yourself in the area on Thursday, be sure to give the tree crew the space they need. Thanks!
While Mother Nature has been melting snow and drying out access to the 44 Trail zone, log clearing stud Paul Gundlach has been cutting through blow down on the 450 trail. 450 is now clear to the junction with 15-Mile at the meadow. Thanks Paul!
Roads 4410 and 4420 are also now open to vehicle traffic.
What’s next you ask? Attention turns to clearing downed trees on Boulder Lakes!
Yield to Uphill Traffic
Keep an eye out for the new two-way traffic signs up on the 44 trail system. 44 Trails Association helped pay for the new signs and they are being placed in high traffic areas on the trails.
The idea here is to yield to uphill traffic, so those of us who like to let ‘er rip down need to stay tuned in to other users, be they bikers, hikers or horse riders. Although we have some ideas (in the future) for downhill only development, all 44 area trails are currently open to two-way traffic.
Enjoy the spring weather!
Latest trail conditions update May 19:
Knebal / Bottle Prairie – 75% clear of trees and tread dry – Hope to clear this week.
8-Mile – Good shape but there’s one big section of blowdown on streamside trail 20+ trees – hope to clear this week.
High Prairie / 450 – Not ready. Snow on trails and tread too muddy for riding. 4410 road is also still closed due to snow. Please stick to lower trails.
15-Mile – Not ready. Needs clearing work. Hold use until after Memorial Day weekend, thanks.
Surveyor’s Ridge – Clear an ready to ride
Dog River – Clear and ready to ride
Fresh snow
44 Trails Conditions Report
May 9, 2014
It’s wet and muddy with snow in places. Please ride elsewhere until trails have time to drain and dry!
We got a call from the ranger today (May 9, 2014) with a first hand report that it’s too muddy up in the 44 Road area for riding right now. We need some high pressure, sun and time for the soil to drain as well to melt new and lingering snow. The current storm system has only made already muddy trails worse with a combination of wet snow and rain depending on elevation and aspect. Please ride elsewhere this weekend to avoid damaging the trails. Normally, the bulk of the trails are ready by Memorial Day Weekend – only two weeks away but it’ll be a critical two weeks for drying and draining, plus some clearing work.
Lingering patches of snow up high – before recent storm
Hold tight and enjoy the lower elevation riding for now. Oakridge, Surveyor’s and Dog River have seen a lot of moisture in the past 48 hours and are also muddy right now. However, they are the best bet for ridable trails once the weather drys out again.
Sweet new trail signs!
The dirt is top notch in the Gorge right now and the riding season for Mount Hood’s 44 Trails area is fast approaching. As of May 8, there is still some lingering snow and plenty of downed timber on the upper trails accessible from Forest Road 44. Typically, the bulk of the system will be cleared and ready to enjoy come Memorial Day Weekend.
In the meantime, we’ve set a schedule for summer trail work parties to keep our mission of maintenance and expansion moving forward. Please mark these dates in your calendars and join us when you can. We strive to work for 4-5 hours in the morning and then enjoy an afternoon trail session, so you don’t have to give up a day of riding! More details about each event will be provided as the date nears and as we evaluate trail needs:
July 26 -Mid summer work day to armor and maintain high-traffic areas
October 4 – TBA Special Event – riding related event to thank everyone for all their support
October 18 – Final trail day before winter transforms the forest floor
Although random acts of kindness in helping to clear the trails is appreciated, all significant clearing and trail work needs to be organized through the USFS to maintain trail standards. The process on 44 Trails is different from that in Post Canyon or Sandy Ridge, and we need your help adhering to this policy. We have a great relationship with the Mt. Hood and Barlow Ranger Districts, and we aim to keep it that way. If you have time and energy to help with trail work, please reach out to us. We have ongoing opportunities to help clear and maintain the trails outside of our scheduled events. Give us a shout and we can connect you with the details.
Rally around 44trails.org to help us celebrate a successful summer of trail work and to help plan for the future.
We’re throwing a party at Double Mountain Brewing in Hood River on October 17, 6pm-10pm. There will be a silent auction fundraiser with items ranging from jerseys to complete bikes and gifts certificates from local businesses.
We’ve also got a raffle planned. Raffle tix will be $5/each, and we’ve got a great collection of swag from the bike industry and local businesses alike.
Of course, there’s beer, too, and Arthur Lee Land will rock the house with tunes.
Come on down Thursday, Oct 17 and learn about future 44 Trails projects, get one of our new t-shirts and stickers and support the future of trail development in the 44 Trails zone.
Knebal Springs Mt Hood Hood National Forest
The 44 Trails zone was spared any fire damage from the recent Government Flats wildfire, and the riding is as good as it gets right now. Recent rains have knocked back the dust for a primo riding experience.
If it’s not on your calendar already, Saturday September 14th is our next, and hopefully final, Super Connector trail work day. Here’s the beta:
Where: Meet 9am Little John SnoPark on Highway 35
What: Final tread development to link Knebal and Surveyors -bring hand tools if you’ve got ’em – shovels, rakes, McLeods
Required: Helmets and long pants (bike helmets are a-ok), don’t forget gloves and clothing to keep you happy rain or shine – bring water too.
Time: We expect to work til 12 or 1, so you can still enjoy a good ride post work day
New York City Subs is kicking in lunch food, Dog River Coffee is kicking in morning coffee. There’ll also a be a sweet little swag raffle to help say thanks for your work!
Updated fire closure map
The 44 Trails zone on the Mount Hood National Forest is open for riding!
Thanks to favorable weather conditions and the efforts of wildland fire crews, the 44 zone is accessible again.
The 17 road remains closed, but 8-Mile, Knebal Springs and the rest of the 44 Trails are open for riding. Ranger Thornton was up in the area on Thursday and said there is moisture in the dirt and the trails are in great shape.