Review Date
August 17, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: jarredjackman ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This might be the most fun downhill in the SW Washington/PDX area. Out and Back is serious, 35 mile ride with LOTS of climbing. Shuttle has about 1000' of climbing and still a little workout, but much easier. The trail is pretty easy technically, a few rocky bits. If you have a map you don't need a guide, it's hard to get lost if you have an Adventure Map for this area. If you know the terrain and trail you can rip this in 1.5 hours, maybe faster if you're super ballsy.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lewis, Siouxon, Ape Canyon to Smith Creek

Review Date
November 6, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Jerry ,  Weekend Warrior , from Salem, OR

Summary:
We rode this November 2, 2003. The ground was frozen with 1/4 of snow on the ground. Traction was very good. Fun single track, some climbs, mostly downhill. Some cross hill (35-40 deg hill). Watch out for the sneaker corners. Fun trail.

Recommended Route:
We started at Old Man Pass at 3019'. There is some climbing up to 3523' then lots of downhill to 1152'. All this in 21.58 miles and 2 hours. The GPS said my peak speed was 29 mph. I have a GPS made map of the trail, which I will email to who ever asks.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Post Canyon, Hood River, OR.

Review Date
October 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Brother Jethro ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a great trail -- a lot of fun and a great workout. We used to do it as a shuttle, starting at old man pass and riding mostly down hill. That's a fun ride, but now we usually do it as an out-and-back from the bottom up which gives me more of a sense of accomplishment.

There are some exposed steep areas where beginners will want to be careful, a few rocky areas, and some insanely fast downhill at the end, but for the most part this is a pretty easy trail from a technical point of view. The only real challenge is the amount and grade of the climbs. The first 2 miles or so (from the bottom) climb pretty steep without much rest, and reduce most riders to walking at least a few hundred feet. Once you make it to the flat part (camp site by the river) then you know the worst is over. (Don't get me wrong -- it still climbs forever after that, but never as hard).

I definitely recommend going with a guide the first time, as this isn't really one trail--it crosses the roads many times and even uses old portions of road as part of the trail here and there. Mostly the correct path is marked with sticks laid on the ground, and in some cases there are even signs, but it would be easy to get lost if you haven't been there before.

The last few miles of downhill on your way back to the parking lot are sheer heaven if you like speed. Just watch out for those sneaky corners (some could be your last) and also hikers (or even bikers headed up).

Disc brakes HIGHLY recommended, especially if wet. You will be using your brakes a lot on the way down.

Recommended Route:
Start at the bottom, do it out-and-back. Or for an easier ride, do a shuttle starting at oldman pass (there's a nice bathroom up there).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lewis River
Siouxon

Review Date
September 8, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Dave ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I only rode Old man pass and had allot of fun. These are cross country ski trails during the winter and have good signs and markings. Not a whole lot of climbing involved. Some deadfall down over sections of trails so you'll need to hull you bike a bit. Awesome wilderness riding.

Recommended Route:
The Scenic trail on the northside of Oldman pass is great. Also good trail on southside which goes to McClellen Meadows. I'd recommend getting a map at REI or somewhere for this area.