TrailGate 2015 Success!

Posted on July 13, 2015 by 44trails

Thanks to everyone who turned out for TrailGate 2015!

We had a great crew and a great day up on the 44 trail system. The weather was great, trails were ridden, bikes demoed, food eaten, music played and a good time had by all. We estimate over 200 people participated in the event.

We owe a big thanks to sponsors: Timberline Lodge for grilling up the food, Hood River Bicyclesfor serving up great demo bikes, Lets Get Out for organizing kid events, the USFS for the permit and attending the event, plus the band – Cripple Hop for setting the atmosphere with great bluegrass and their own imusic!

Plus all of our swag contributors deserve a shout out including: Mountain View Cycles, Dirty Fingers Bicycles, Dalles City Cyclery, Pfriem Family Brewers, Full Sail Brewing Company, Camp 1805 Distillery, Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, Brian’s Pourhouse, DAKINE, Pine Street Baking, Northwest Graphic Works, Solstice Wood Fire Cafe & Bar.

Trailgate 2015 may be over but the trails are still open to riding. So if you missed out on the event, get up there and enjoy the trails for a chance to enjoy the best single track on the Mount Hood National Forest.

Trailgate 2015

Posted on July 9, 2015 by 44trails

Trailgate on Saturday, July 11 is only two days away!

The weather forecast for Saturday is looking excellent. Saturday is forecast to offer sunny skies and 65-70 degrees, a nice change from the 90+ temps we have been experiencing.

Trailgate is an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the fine single track trails accessible from Forest Road 44 on the Mt. Hood National Forest. There’s plenty of great riding and hiking to be had from the Billy Bob SnoPark, including great rides for all abilities, even kids! There’s even some killer road/gravel grinders to be had in the 44 zone.

We will be staging from the Billy Bob SnoPark located about 10 miles east of highway 35 on FR44. You can also get there from the east side out of Dufur. There’s plenty of great camping available at Eight-Mile and Fifteen-Mile campgrounds as well as other dispersed camping in the area.

Come on by at 10am on Saturday to check in on ride options, grab a cup of coffee compliments of Dog River Coffee and learn more about 44 Trails Association, meet local USFS rangers and to check out demo bikes from Hood River Bicycles (Yeti, Pivot, Giant, Santa Cruz and more).

Families can enjoy pedaling the Eightmile trail and kid focused ecology events at Billy Bob hosted by the USFS and Let’s Get Out

Once you’ve been out to enjoy the trails come on back at 3pm to enjoy food, drink (free) and music. We’ve lined up Hood River-based band, Cripple Hop, for a some great live music. Timberline Lodge is setting up the food service and 44 Trails Association will have info about upcoming projects. We’ll have a raffle with some great swag, too!

Cooks Meadow Trail Extension

Posted on July 8, 2015 by 44trails

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

New signs, conditions and trail etiquette

Posted on June 3, 2015 by 44trails

New Trail Signs and Trail Etiquette Reminder

We 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!