(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Sandy Ridge, the popular mountain bike trail-riding area just 40 miles east of Portland, just got even better. Two new trails are set to open by this weekend bringing the total mileage of bike-specific trails in the system to over 15.
Adam Milnor, a recreation planner with the Bureau of Land Management’s Salem District, shared the great news a few minutes ago:
Follow the Leader is a 1.65 mile advanced trail that features a challenging double black diamond segment. Riders start at the upper info kiosk and traverse a couple scree fields before fording Little Joe Creek. From there, the trail drops 350 feet in the next mile with some exposure, big grade reversals and plenty of opportunities for skilled riders to get off the ground.
Flow Motion is a 0.75 mile intermediate flow trail with incredible soil and more than fifteen berms. The trail drops 275 feet through a nice Doug fir and hemlock forest before crossing the road and tying directly into lower Hide and Seek Cut. Great pedal to payoff ratio, with an easy session opportunity using Homestead Road. Sure to see lots of traffic.
And here’s a detail of the latest, updated trail map showing both new trails…
– Download PDF of new map –
Milnor credits these new trails to the hard work and dedicated of International Mountain Bicycle Association (IMBA) “trail guru” Jason Wells, volunteers from Sandy-based Antfarm, and the Northwest Trail Alliance. BLM planner Zach Jarrett was the agency spearhead of the project and he’s also credited with naming the trails.
As we just shared in a previous story, Sandy Ridge is just one of many pieces to a growing puzzle of bicycle recreation options in the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge areas.
Learn more about Sandy Ridge on the BLM website. Read more of our coverage on the Sandy Ridge Trail System in the archives.
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Sweet! Thanks to the BLM, IMBA, Antfarm and the NWTA. I need to get back out there to check out the new trails. Time to plan a day to ride them all!
Very good,…but keep very, very quiet, or those who hate new trail networks will get on here and start nagging.
Thanks to all those who made this possible, btw!
I personally have not heard anyone complain about Sandy Ridge. It’s BLM land, it’s human-powered climbing, it’s low impact. What’s not to like?
That Vandyham slasher guy shall be here soon enough I’d imagine.
These new trails elevate Sandy Ridge to a whole other level. Incredible!