With the lower elevation mountain bike trails closed due to extreme fire danger, it’s time to head higher up into the Cascade Mountains and ride the trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest. One of the more entertaining and scenic trails is the Surveyors Ridge Trail, one of our local favorites, that’s where we’re headed. It’s a popular trail, but if you’ve never been there before, I suggest you stop in Discover Bikes in Hood River, tell them you’re headed to Surveyors Ridge and ask for a map. The map for the local trails is a pretty good one, last time I checked, it was about $10. The price may seem a little steep, but if you get lost out in the middle of nowhere, your $10 will be worth a lot less than the map. Surveyors Ridge is not a super tough trail, but it’s not a beginner trail either. You should be in shape and have plenty of water and nutrition for a 24 mile bike ride through the Cascade Mountains. Tire and bike repair equipment is also mandatory, it’s a long walk out.
The best way to go is to park at the lower trailhead and ride up Surveyors Ridge Road. It’s about ten miles of uphill, there’s a few steeper sections, but it’s not too bad. There is some great scenery and it’s a good warm up for the trail ride. In the summer, when it’s hot, it’s a good idea to get an early start and take advantage of the cooler morning temperatures on the climb up.
You’ll ride on Road 44 for a mile or two until you come to the Dog River/Surveyors Ridge trailhead, where the trail starts and heads into the forest. Even with two months of hot weather and no rain, the upper sections of Surveyors Ridge trail were in pretty good shape.
There are some sandy sections along the trail, especially where people rode through puddles earlier in the season, in corners and downhill sections where riders are skidding and on sections of the trail that are exposed to the sun. Surveyors Ridge sees a lot of bicycle traffic so some sections of trail show that use more than others. Most of the trail is in pretty good shape, especially the sections of the trail that are shaded by the forest trees.
Surveyors Ridge is a great mountain bike trail and also has some spectacular views of the North Face of Mt. Hood
Surveyors Ridge is not a super technical trail, but you have to pay attention. There is some fairly serious exposure along with numerous rocks and roots to keep you on your toes. As mentioned earlier, you don’t want to have to walk out of here, either due to a bike problem or injury. Speaking of injuries, there is an infamous rock garden on the trail that has caused a few of them. If you’re not 100% sure you can clear this rocky technical section, walking it is a good idea
The lower sections of the trail are also in pretty good shape, except for the last half mile or so that is totally exposed to the sun. The sections of trail that run through the lower elevation forests are always fun; pretty flowy with plenty of entertaining rocks and roots for a little excitement at the end of the ride
All in all, Surveyors Ridge is a great place to ride a mountain bike, which is a good thing because it’s going to be our “go to” trail for the next month or so.