Review Date
July 7, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Bong_Crosby ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
We almost didn't ride with this trail system because of the recent bad reviews. We decided to disregard them and were glad we did. It was a fun day in the woods and I didn't see that many horses or their poop. They definitely did not pulverize or damage the trail that I could see. There were boggy sections but they would have been a mess whether horses were there or not.

Easy climbs on old roads and fun single track winding through a thick forest of trees. Plenty of shade most of the time. The trail ratings are pretty accurate from easiest, more difficult to most difficult. The easiest didn't throw anything unexpected at the more novice riders in the group and the more difficult caused some to jump off and walk around obstacles. The trail system is pretty small so a yo-yo approach worked best.

All in all this trail system isn't that great but considering the paucity of MTB single track in Portland and surrounding areas, you take what you can get.

Recommended Route:
Fern Ridge and Rim Trail

Review Date
June 27, 2009

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: fluidmotion ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Dont bother with this trail. The horse riders have ruined any possibility of enjoying these trails. Its been dry out lately, but there where still muddy spots and the horse riders dont care. They create impassible sections all over. And dont even get me started on the crap that was everywhere. On top of that this trail had very poor flow. It seamed like I was constantly climbing and had no decent downhill sections. I'm all for earning my turns, but I didnt feel like I was being rewarded for my efforts here. My flow was interrupted by horse prints, horse crap, and blind corners hiding another steep uphill. I dont understand all the positive reviews??? There are several better rides in portland, and none of them involve driving through Molalla. I wouldnt be so harsh on this trail if it was closer to portland, not worth the time to get there. If you enjoy lots of technical uphill with very short and easy downhill then this is the place for you.

Recommended Route:
The route that takes you somewhere else.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Browns camp, Mac Forest, Hood River, Bend.

Review Date
May 29, 2009

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: sean.designs.bikes ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This could have been a one time thing, as most of the other reviews posted are very positive, but I had a HORRIBLE experience riding here. The primary source of my trouble are horses. I can't believe that people, with the use of these half ton animals, are allowed to DESTROY the trails in the manner that I witnessed. All of the trails that showed promise a challenge and some fun (such as 'Deer's Skull' and 'Fern') had been decimated. The hooves of the horses had clearly dug deep (2-4 inches of top soil) into any section of trail that had more than a mild incline. There were sections of single-track left intact and I could tell there was was some good trail lines there, but as soon as I started to get into the groove of riding, I would hit a patch of loose mud that would slow me down to less than a walking pace. On top of the trail destruction, there was the Horse S#*t! Big, fresh piles of the stuff filling the whole width of the trail. I did not think that I was against shared trails and have enjoyed the use of them in the past, but the horse riders at this location have been irresponsibly riding on trails that can not support their chosen beast of burden.

Recommended Route:
grrr, horses, pooo.... maybe when things dry out I will give this location another chance and get to see what they are really about.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I just went to the "whoops" trail near Bend a couple of weeks ago. I may still be spoiled on that trail and the trails around it, which are definitely some of the most fun trails that I have ridden.

Review Date
August 21, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: glogaub ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This network of trails is very fun. There are a lot of options and none of the trails are ever very long. Everything is well maintained and well marked. There is everything from technical rocky sections with creek crossings to smooth and fast.
You need to ride here when it is has been dry for a couple days. Early season is muddy with horse tracks and rain makes some of steep climbs tough.

Recommended Route:
Just get a map and do as many trails as you can. They are all different and loop together. Don't forget the north sections of trails too. There are some fun ones over there.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Silver Falls State Park

Review Date
August 7, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: willymcd ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
If you are thinking about checking this trail out do it now! unfortunately the burro of land management sold the logging rights for measly $1.9 million. It was sad seeing all the logging tape and spray paint on all the pretty trees. I just got on this trail system yesterday, and it was fun.

Recommended Route:
I started off on the hardy creek trail head and went north on huckleberry to red vole road then up wildcat road, which was a gnarly climb, steep bumpy and loos rocks! at the top of there is the rim trail which is nasty, not a fun trail at least the part i road, it is over grown and some tricky terrain. but then you hit bear woods loop which is a very nice and fun trail, good single track. next time i go i want to do deer skull trail, the entrance to it looked awfully nice!
There seems to be some good single track and very good climbs!
just go wherever and i am sure you will have fun!