Mt Hood Fusion Pass

Posted on October 21, 2013 by 44trails

Thanks to everyone who rallied out to Double Mountain in support of 44 Trails last week. The event was a great success. We sold loads of t-shirts, had a great raffle and raised valuable funds for future trail development with the silent auction. Your support is much appreciated! We were too busy to capture the night with photos, but it was a full house.

We have two more special auction items available: Mt Hood Fusion Passes. These ski passes are good for a full season of riding at Timberline and Ski Bowl. The pass also gets you into the Powder Alliance where you get three free tickets at all partner resorts. You can get the full lowdown on the Fusion Pass and all its perks at www.mthoodfusionpass.com.

You can submit a bid for one of the fusion passes by e-mailing us at 44trails at 44trails.org. The passes are valued at $495 each. The bidding starts at $350 and bidding ends October 31.

Fire Closure Still in Place

Posted on August 26, 2013 by 44trails

It looks like the USFS is going to maintain its existing fire closure for the foreseeable future. Sorry, but the 44 Trails area will be closed for the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The wet and cooler weather has definitely aided in the management and suppression of the Government Flats fire that lead to the road and trail closures but there is still work to be done and fire hazard in the area. The burn has been spotty in areas, which makes mop up efforts a bit more difficult to monitor assess.

What we need is a big multi-day rain cycle. In the mean time, check out rides on Gunsight ridge and the Boulder Lake zone. You can keep tabs on the fire updates at www.inciweb.org/incident/3662/

Latest Fire Closure Update for 44 Trails

Posted on August 23, 2013 by 44trails

USFS 44 Trails closure map

West winds have cleared the smoke from the Hood River Valley, but the 44 Trails area is still effected by closures. As far as we know, the trails themselves have not been consumed by fire, but there will be active fire suppression efforts in the area and the threat of fire growth, so the USFS is going to keep the zone east and north of the 44 road off limits for a while.

Here’s the latest:

The Mt. Hood National Forest has announced the following closures:

The following campgrounds are closed: Knebal Springs, Lower Eight Mile Crossing, Eight Mile, and Gibson Prairie. Five Mile Lookout is also closed.

The following major trails are closed:

Surveyors Ridge # 688 both south and north trailheads
Eightmile Loop #496
Knebal Springs # 474
Bottle Prairie #455
North-South #451
Oak Ridge #688A
Dog River #675
Zig Zag #678

Forest Roads 17, 1720, 4430 and all their associated spur roads are closed along with and all other National Forest System Roads and minor trails within the closure area depicted on a map posted on InciWeb.org at http://inciweb.org/incident/maps/3662/

Fire Closures Affect 44 Trails

Posted on August 22, 2013 by 44trails

Aerial view of Government Flats Complex fire

Temporary road closures due to the wild fire in Mill Creek (Government Flats Fire Complex) are affecting the 44 trails area.

As per the USFS:Temporary Road and Recreation Area Closure due to Government Flats Fire

The Government Flats fire began to encroach on Forest Service lands Monday, August 19th. To facilitate fire crews and engine traffic the following roads and recreational areas will be temporarily closed as of August 20 until further notice:

Knebal Campground due to the closure on the 1720 Road
1722 (east boundary)
4430 (north of 8 Mile CG)
1720 (posted at both east and west ends)
1700.660
1711.630

stay updated at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mthood/alerts-notices
and
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3662/

44 Trails in Great Shape

Posted on August 9, 2013 by 44trails

Knebal Springs parking lot

With the riding around town in Hood River limited by fire closures, I figured it was a good excuse to take a day away from work and head out for a longer day of riding up in the 44 zone on the Mt Hood National Forest. Sadly, it was only my second day of riding the 44 trails this summer, but that only made the day that much sweeter.

We hit Knebal, Bottle Prairie, Eight-Mile and checked out progress on the new Super Connector trail. Overall condition of the trails is excellent right now. There are a few soft spots, but the vast majority is fast and flowy.

knebal – eight-mile map

We also checked in with Ranger Thornton, who spent the day working on trails up in the Boulder Lake area. He said there are still a couple downed trees, but the high country around Boulder Lake will be in primo condition for the fall riding season. He also noted that the ground hornets are starting to get a little ornery, so watch yourself if you take a lunch break or walk out to a vista point.

Riding from town is convenient and good fun, but spending the better part of the day in the high country on the 44 trail system’s classic cross-country trails is the way to make your week.

44 Trails Super Connector

Posted on August 6, 2013 by 44trails

Thanks to everyone who rallied for the work day on July 14 and thanks to Dog River Coffee, and Dirty Fingers Bike Shop for their support! Trail construction continues, rock work was laid and more tread built.

Mark your calendars, the next round of trail work is scheduled for September 14 to be followed by a fundraising event at Double Mountain Brewing. More details to follow.

Super Connector Trail Work Day #3 – July 14

Posted on July 9, 2013 by 44trails

It’s time to put tools to dirt again on the Super Connector trail. Sunday July 14, 2013 is the date for the next trail work day. We’ll be building tread on the trail. Meet up at 9am at the Little John SnoPark off Highway 35. There will be fresh coffee courtesy of Dog River waiting for you at the parking lot.

Helmets are required (bike helmet is perfect) and long pants, too. Bring trail tools – rakes McLeods. Pack a lunch and bring water!

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Work day will be about three hours, so be sure to bring your bike and enjoy a ride post trail work!

Another Successful Trail Day

Posted on June 24, 2013 by 44trails

A dedicated crew rallied for the June 23 work day and tread development is under way on the Super Connector trail between Knebal and Surveyor’s on the Barlow Ranger District, Mt Hood National Forest. Despite the lingering affects of the Hood River Classic party on Saturday night, the crew put in a good day developing over a mile of trail. Thanks to Dog River Coffee for the morning Java to help motivate the crew and thanks to Mother Nature for the light rain to help keep the dirt in fine form.

The Super Connector trail is NOT yet open for riding, but the next trail work day to get one step closer is July 14. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details about a possible breakfast ride extravaganza with the Dirty Fingers crew before the trail work begins . . .

Super Connector Trail Work Day June 23

Posted on June 14, 2013 by 44trails

We’ve set dates for more work days on the Super Connector Trail to link Knebal Springs with Surveyor’s Ridge: Next event is June 23!

When: 9 am June 23, 2013

Where: Meet at Little John SnoPark @ 9am

What: Tread development on the Super Connector.

Bring: Hand tools – Rakes, McLeods, Helmets required (bike helmets work), Wear long pants and dress for the weather.

Trail Love Video

Posted on June 13, 2013 by 44trails

Check out this vid from our friends at Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA). 44 Trails Association will be posting some “Two-way traffic, yield to up-hill traffic” signs on the National Forest trails around the 44 network during future trail projects. Speaking of future trail projects, future project dates will be posted soon . . .