Category Archives: Trail Conditions

trail conditions hood river and mt hood area mountain biking

Fire Closure – Mt Hood National Forest

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Badger Lake fire mt hoodIf you have not heard, there is a fire near Badger Lake on the Barlow District of the Mt Hood National Forest.

It’s not directly affecting the bulk of the 44 Trails zone, but there are a number of closures to consider if you are headed up to the area, most notably High Prairie, Gumjuwac, Gunsight and most everything adjacent to Badger lake including the Boulder Lake.

Badger lake Fire mapHere’s the latest official info from the USFS. 

Media Information Line: 503-668-1791/503-668-1776
Public Fire Information: (541) 467-2291
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

10/6/15 UPDATE:

The Badger Lake Fire is approximately 60 acres in size and burning in heavy dead and down timber. The fire is located northwest of Badger Lake in the Badger Lake Wilderness. Steep terrain, limited road access and an abundance of snags (standing dead trees) pose challenges for firefighter safety. Retardant was dropped on Forest Road 3550 yesterday with the goal of keeping the fire within the wilderness. Additional retardant has been ordered. Two helicopters continue to work on the fire.

The Badger Lake Fire began on Saturday, October 3, 2015. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Base Camp for the Fire is at Badger Lake Campground.

An area closure is in effect for the area surrounding the fire to protect public and firefighter safety as crews work to contain the fire. The closure includes roads, trails and developed recreation sites. Please contact the Barlow Ranger Station for details or the website address below.

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES: Approximately 70 personnel, including 2 20 person crews, 4 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 1 helicopter, and 1 Type 2 helicopter, and 12 rappellers.

SPECIAL MESSAGES/CLOSURES: An area closure is in effect for the Badger Lake Fire. For more information on the closure go to the Mt. Hood NF Closure webpage.

Badger Lake Fire Closure
Effected roads:

  • 3500640 Closed
  • 3500641 Closed
  • 3500642 Closed
  • 3500660 Closed
  • 3540000 Closed
  • 3540011 Closed
  • 3540012 Closed
  • 3540630 Closed
  • 3540640 Closed
  • 3540641 Closed
  • 3550000 Closed
  • 3550620 Closed
  • 4860000 Closed
  • 4860140 Closed
  • 4860160 Closed
  • 4880000 Closed
  • 4891000 Closed
  • 4891120 Closed

Effected Trails:

  • 465         PINE CREEK Closed
  • 477         BADGER CREEK CUTOFF Portion Closed
  • 458         DIVIDE Closed
  • 478         CRANE CREEK Portion Closed – North End
  • 464         CRANE PRAIRIE Portion Closed
  • 466         THREE MILE Closed
  • 479A      BADGER LAKE Closed
  • 480         GUMJUWAC Closed
  • 680         JEAN LAKE Closed
  • 467         POST CAMP Closed
  • 477A      WEST FORK Closed
  • 685B      CAMP WINDY Closed
  • 463         BOULDER LAKE Portion Closed
  • 493         HIGH PRAIRIE Closed
  • 685         GUNSIGHT BUTTE Closed
  • 479         BADGER CREEK Portion Closed (West of Bonney Crossing)

Effected Rec Sites are

  • Badger Lake C.G. Closed
  • Camp Windy C.G Closed
  • Bonney Meadows Closed

New signs, conditions and trail etiquette

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New Trail Signs and Trail Etiquette Reminder

44 trails signageWe got some cool new signs up on the trailhead boards around the 44 zone recognizing our partnership with the USFS for trail maintenance on the 44 trails.

Look for ’em next time you are up for a ride! Here’s one posted on the trailhead board at the Dog River / Surveyor’s junction (it’s the blue sign on the right).

The trails are in perfect condition right now (June 1). There has been just enough rain in the hills to keep the soil moist but no so much as to make ’em wet.

Here’s a quick reminder on trail etiquette: Please remember that all of the 44 Trails are multi-use, non-motorized trails. They are open to hiker, biker and equestrian use. Some trails see more than others from certain user groups, but all are open to everyone and all trails are for two-way traffic. There are no designated downhill only routes. Please be cautious of the multi-use nature and ride with care and control in all situations! Yes, gravity is fun, but to ride at 44 means respecting all users.

Thanks!

44 Trails Conditions Update May 2015

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Here’s a heads up for the 44 Trails System:
ALL TRAILS along the 44 corridor have been cleared this spring and are OPEN.

44 trails conditionsThanks to Ranger Thornton, and both Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts plus a variety of dedicated help, ALL TRAILS along the 44 corridor are open! This means all the major blowdown that happened over the winter has been cleared. It does not mean that new trees won’t fall. We’ve had two months of wind since the main clearing work took place and, word is, there are a few places with new trees down.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, it still blocks the trail! Jokes, aside, trees fall in the forest year round, and any storm, any time of the year can bring down new trees on the 44 Trails. Many of the same systems that bring the famed wind to the Gorge, deliver winds in the forest, too.  In other words, there can be new blowdown any time and on any trail.

Trail work 44 mt hood national forestOver 1000 downed trees were cleared this season in the 44 Trails corridor. But we all need to be aware and ride with caution, because new trees will come down. We encourage you to send us a note if you encounter new blowdown, so we can work with the USFS to get it cleared.

We understand that most, if not all, forest users realize that conditions change in a forest environment; please help us explain this to those that may be lacking awareness!

And of course ride in control, monitor your speeds and yield to uphill traffic!

Happy trails!

 

44 Trails Conditions Update

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44 trails kneel springs eight mile and bottle prairieupdated 29 April, 2015

Spring is full steam ahead out here in the Hood River Valley and here’s your spring 44 Trails conditions update.

The annual logout of blowdown is nearly finished and you’ll find the bulk of the 44 system ready to roll including:
8-Mile
Knebal Springs
Bottle Prairie
Cooks Meadow
15-Mile including Cedar Creek
Surveyor’s Ridge
Super Connector
450 to snow line
Dog River
Bear Springs Trap Race Course

Stay tuned for more details on Trailgate 2015, more 44 trails conditions updates and summer/fall work party schedule.

8-Mile Parking – temp closure

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IMG_4016Hey 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!

Mid Summer Trail Work Day

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Summer is here – in case you hadn’t noticed – and it’s time for our second trail work day of the season.

Saturday, July 26 is the day.

Continued Super Connector tuning is the plan.

Where: 9am Little John Snopark, Hwy 35
What: Trail maintenance, Super Connector
When: Saturday, July 26, 9am-2pm

HELMETS required! Bring shovels, McLeods, metal rakes, wheelbarrows, gloves, water, long pants, work shoes.

We’ll meet at the Little John SnoPark on Hwy 35 at 9am for coffee and registration. We’ll shuttle up to the work site and get started. There are a variety of projects including continued trail armoring with reject and corner alignment. We’ll break into two or three smaller crews on the trail.

Lunch provided by Hood River’s New York City Sub Shop.

Reach out via e-mail with any questions – 44trails (at) 44trails.org

Trail Conditions Update – Fire Activity 7/15

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Red dot marks the location of 10-15 acre fire near popular 44 trails trailheads

Red dot marks the location of 10-15 acre fire near popular 44 trails trailheads. click for full size

The recent thunder and lightning storms have sparked a few fires around the area including a small one in the 44 trails zone.

The fire is located just east of the junction of 44 and 17 roads, not far from the Knebal and 8-Mile Crossing campgrounds, as well as the Super Connector (see red dot on map for location). The fire is small (10-15 acres) and the USFS is on it with a dozer and heli water drops. They expect full containment without incident, but they would like to ask forest users to avoid the area as much as possible. There are no official trail closures at this time, but there is increased fire vehicle traffic in the area.

If you are headed up to 44 to recreate, please be alert for fire traffic, give fire vehicles and associated personnel plenty of room and report any additional fire starts.

UPDATE: Fire is contained and in mop-up stage as of 5pm 7/15.

Trail Conditions Update 6/4

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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!

Trail Conditions Update 5/23

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44 Trails AssociationThanks to the hard work of our favorite USFS Ranger, Jim Thornton, and some skilled 44 Trails Association volunteers (Paul Gundlach and Dana Hale!), 8-Mile trail, Knebal Springs trail, the Super Connector, Bottle Prairie trail and 15-Mile/Cedar creek are open to USFS spec and ready for riding! You’ll still encounter a few isolated single logs, but the big blow-down sections have been cleared!

As for High Prairie and 450 up higher, it’s still a no go. Too much snow and water on the tread (see photos). So please stay off the trails to avoid permanent tread damage.

You can also check out the Camas, Clear Creek, Rim Rock (connects at Clear Creek CG) and Bear Springs race course trails – all in the Barlow District on the east side.

Check the fed web site for beta on these trails. http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/null/recarea/?recid=52772&actid=34

Clear Creek trail

Camas Trail

If you’re keen to help with continued clearing efforts, reach out via e-mail to us and we’ll connect you with the ranger to make a plan.

Trail Conditions Update 5/19

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Latest trail conditions update May 19:trail2

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