Cooks Meadow Trail Expansion Map

The 44 Trails Association has been working towards building a four mile extension of the Cooks Meadow trail (# 639 – Mt Hood National Forest Cooks Meadow trail description) to replace the upper section that follows the 4410 road. The new section will create a great loop opportunity without using the road.

The USFS has opened the public comment period on the proposed project. Comments are due by July 19, 2015. The more people who comment positively about this project, the easier it is for the district ranger to make the decision to move forward.

The proposed project adds four miles of new multi-use and non-motorized trail, connecting Cooks Meadow to the upper 44 trails network (450/High Prairie/etc – see map of Cooks Meadow project) without having to ride the 4410 road, creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for trail and road users alike.

Read the full USFS letter soliciting comment on the Cooks Meadow Extension (PDF)

Here are a few talking points to consider in your letter of support for the project.
– The trail extension improves safety for trail and road users by eliminating trail/road overlap
– Trail extension projects like Cooks Meadows disperse multi-use traffic and replace multi-use trail miles lost due to 2009 wilderness expansion.
– 44 Trails, through volunteer labor and grant funding, is ready to step up and facilitate the trail project under the direct supervision of the USFS.
– The 44 trails network is a becoming well-known as a destination for non-motorized, multi-use recreation and every new connection creates a new asset and enhances the trail system.

Comments should be sent to:
Comments due by July 19, 2015

Casey Gatz – Mt Hood National Forest
email: cgatz@fs.fed.us
ph: 541-352-1255
US mail:
Casey Gatz / Hood River Ranger District
6780 Hwy 35
Mt. Hood – Parkdale, OR 97041