My som and I will be traveling to Oregon, Washington (for Washougal National), Idaho and maybe Montana next week with bikes loaded. What are the must ride areas and what is a waste of time. Not looking for any secret spots, just the best areas and trails within State OHV legal riding parks and MX tracks.
What is your planned route? If you come up Hwy 97 there are extensive trail systems in central Oregon (east of Bend). Lots of good trail, but will be dry and dusty this time of year. If you get out there mid week traffic should be light though. The Willamette Valley (I-5) is light on good trail riding. And Washougal is usually a great race and the track is outstanding....see you there!!
Those three states have endless great riding. What type of stuff do you want to ride and how technical are you good for? Some stuff is very steep and technical some is much EZer just trying to point you int he right direction. Sounds like a GREAT trip.
And Washougal is in Kelly's back yard....so he knows all the good stuff on the WA side of the border.
What I've pulled off rider planet for Oregon that looks interesting is Blue Ridge Trails near Coos Bay, China Hat near Bend, Santorum Pass, Prospect OHV, and Johns Peak in Jacksonville. Not sure about Washington yet and looking at Idaho City OHV near Boise. We definately want to do spend as much time in the trees as possible, Lord knows we have enough desert riding down here in So Cal. Intermediate trails/single track with occasional black diamond (OHV park ranking). we don't want to get beat up too bad early on and not enjoy the rest of the trip. My son (15) races a TC 250 in supermoto quite well and is a smart rider but not a ton of big bike (TXC310) experience off road. And quite honestly I've been so busy at the shop my riding skills and stamina have suffered because of it. Basically we want to enjoy the northwest scenery, ride some new stuff and have enough challenge to make for a few good stories when we get back hone. I'm all ears!
I'd say check out the Brown's Camp/Diamond Mill area. Lot's of trees and in the coast range so temps should be good for riding. It's on Hwy 6 between Forest Grove and Tillamook.
Another easy to reach one is Shotgun Creek OHV, north of Eugene/Springfield. Its in the trees and mostly single track. http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/site_info.php?siteid=76 http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/eugene/recreation/files/Shotgun_OHV.pdf If coming up I-5 from the south, get off at north Springfield, head for Marcola, and then when youre done continue north towards Brownsville and back out to I-5. http://goo.gl/maps/IiKnE And stop in Salem to visit Bill !
Blue Ridge Trails near Coos Bay - Small riding area and kinda out of the way unless you want to ride dunes too. China Hat near Bend - More high dez, good stuff but if you want to ride in the woods it is not exactly that. Very fun though. I suggest riding there on weekdays to avoid head ons. Santorum Pass, Prospect OHV - Personally I would not bother. Both small, odd ride areas with a lot of jeep stuff. Johns Peak in Jacksonville - Good riding and right off I-5 but you kinda need to know your way around as the good trails are not obvious and EZ to find. Try to hook up with someone for that ride. Tillamook Coast range - Don't miss it. Gobs of diverse mainly technical riding there. Let me know and I can show you the good loops if you want a guide. Hood River - Fun system in 2 different locations. Beautiful area, amazing views. Nice single track. I can show you around there too. Sometime closed do to fire danger. Gifford - Near Mt St. Helens, Gods country, huge and beautiful. Amazing trails, technical, deep woods much of it old growth with big trees. Idaho City - Endless single track for weeks. Very good.
You guys are awesome!!! We are REALLY looking forward to this trip. Kelly...Your The Man! I'll call you Wednesday. Other than being at Washougal Sat AM for the race, our schedule is totally flexible. We can meet you whenever your available. A trip to Oregon for some Husky moto without stopping at Bills would be a Cardinal sin.
No problem. That is my anniversary weekend so will need to show you around before or after the weekend as I already have plans. Call me and we can work something out. Thanks Kelly
I would love to have you come to Montana but if I don't accompany you the riding is really hard to find. Still lots of riding but you really have to go with a local. Pipestone outside Butte is probably the one area where there is a lot of marked and mapped routes. I unfortunately am lucky to get out once a week.
Thanks wallybean, we are in Gifford WA right now and certain were going to make it to Montana this time around. Were going to ride here again tomorrow and then ride some street stuff up to Mt Ranier on a Strada we brought. I really want to make it to Evel K. Days one if these years. Maybe next year...
I am in Missoula MT for a week. Anyone know of some good routes near by? Local bike shop was not much help.
Hi Wallybean, Sorry for the delay, Took a trip up to the lakes yesterday. Sorry TCP, I did not mean to hijack your post. Looking for anything Jeep trails, single track, dirt roads with scenic rides? I found a web site showing some areas to ride.
