44 Trails Spring 2023 Conditions Update

Posted on May 19, 2023 by 44trails

44 Trails riding season is approaching, but a majority of the system is still under snow and/or in need of logout.

As of May 19, the snow is melting fast, but there are more downed trees than normal. The 44 road is passable to the 17 junction, and with the heat may be passable to Dufur by the time you read this.

Oak Ridge trail #688A was logged out by USFS and is clear. 44T has removed more than 50 trees from Dog River Trail #675 and brushed more than three miles, but there is still about 1.5 miles with 15+ trees to clear in the middle section of the trail. A 44T and Fat Tire Farm crew will be working on the Dog River trail Monday 5/22, so it should be rideable soon.

Oregon Timber Trail Alliance has a trail day on east end the 15-Mile trail #456 this weekend 5/20-21.

The full 44T logout project begins on 5/22, and our rough estimate is two or three weeks to get through the main system including Knebal, Cooks, 8-Mile, High Prairie, etc. There are a lot of trees down this season. Please don’t plan your vacation based on this estimate. We’ll post updates as we get them, but recognize snow cover still limits access for clearing downed trees. We are at the mercy of the weather and snow melt to get things fully open.

Surveyor’s Ridge Trail Closure

Posted on October 25, 2022 by 44trails

44 Riders, the Dalles Watershed Pipeline Project is kicking into high gear. The construction activity means that the south end of the old Surveyor’s Ridge Trail is now closed through mid-November, which effectivley means for the season, ’cause snow in the high-country is on its way.

If you’re headed up that way, please avoid the work zone.

October 16 Work Day

Posted on October 8, 2022 by 44trails

October 16 – Bottle Prairie Work Day
Our final work party of the season! We’re headed to Bottle Prairie trail 455. It’s in need of brushing. If we get some significant rain between now and October 16, we’ll prob add some tread work in, too. But for now, we’ll plan on opening up sight lines and brushing overgrown sections.

As usual, we’ll have lunches for everyone thanks to NY City Subs in Hood River

WHEN:
Sunday, October 16, 2022 – 9 AM

WHERE:
Little John SnoPark Hwy 35

WHAT:
Varied Trail work on Bottle Prairie – lopping, brushing, clearing, and if the weather allows, possibly some tread work.
REQUIRED: Long Pants, Work Boots, Gloves, Day Pack, Water, Bike Helmet
Bring Hand Tools: Loppers, hand saws, metal rakes, hedge trimmers

Bring your bike! Depending on turnout, we can send groups in on bike to spread out the work zone, and there should be plenty of time to ride after the work is done.

Boulder Lake Work Party – Sat Sept 24

Posted on September 18, 2022 by 44trails

Sept 24 – Boulder Lake Work Day

After three years of pandemic and fire closures, we’re getting crews back into the beautiful Boulder Lake area.

Work day plans will depend on number of volunteers and fire safety, but we’ll have options for driving in and hiking up the trails to work on pruning back the overgrowth or riding bikes (4 mles)i in from Bennet Pass Snow Park and clearing from the top down.

WHEN:
Sat, September 24, 2022 – 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

WHERE:
Bennett Pass Trailhead/Sno Park

WHAT:
Varied Trail work on Boulder Lake Trail Network.
REQURED: Long Pants, Work Boots, Gloves, Water
Bring Hand Tools: Loppers, hand saws, metal rakes

Bring your MTB if you want to ride in, otherwise we’ll drive around.
Please sign up at EVENTBRITE