The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) knows that if Mt. Hood is to remain a popular recreation destination there’s got to be a better way to get up there than driving in a car. Highways that connect to Mt. Hood are becoming magnets for congestion and crashes, so the agency has launched the Mt. Hood Mutlimodal Transportation Plan, a project they’re working on in partnership with the US Forest Service, the Federal Highway Administration, and Hood River and Clackamas Counties.[Read more…]
A major new mountain bike park on Mt. Hood is all set to move forward. The United States Forest Service (USFS) has just approved the permit for the Timberline Mountain Bike Park, concluding that the plans are in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and that as proposed would have “no significant impact.”
Event Name: Tour de Hood Event Start Date: 4 June, 2011 Start Time: 1:00:00 PM Web Site:http://www.tourdehoodride.com/ Event Description: Ride one of Oregon’s most beautiful and challenging recreational rides! Experience two of the same courses that challenge racers in the popular Mt Hood Cycling Classic stage race. This is a one-of-a-kind Oregon recreational riding experience!
Many Portlanders are headed up to Mt. Hood later today to attend a public form on the proposed Timberline MTB Park. As we reported last week, the project in its final comment period and the Forest Service is looking for feedback on their Preliminary Assessment of the project.
Local advocacy group, the Northwest Trail Alliance is urging their members to attend the forum to show their support of the project and two local bike shops — Bike Gallery and Fat Tire Farm — are organizing carpools to the event. [Read more…]
“If implemented, this project could cause significant potential harm to soils, water, and wildlife.” — From letter signed by members of Restore Mt. Hood Coalition
“This will attract more riders to Oregon, increasing tourism dollars in the area. This list of benefits goes on and on… the impact will be minimal.” — Michael Whitesel, member of Northwest Trail Alliance
Event Name: Tour de Hood Event Start Date: June 5, 2010 Start Time: 6:30 AM Web Site:http://www.tourdehoodride.com/ Event Description: Ride one of Oregon’s most beautiful and challenging recreational rides! Experience two of the same courses that challenge racers in the popular Indie Hops Mt Hood Cycling Classic stage race, while benefiting local kids’ organizations and the Mt Hood Cycling Classic race organization. This is a one-of-a-kind Oregon recreational riding experience akin to touring around the Tour de France, where all kinds of riders ride ahead of the race and either ride to the finish or wait along the road sides for the racing caravan to parade by.
Timberline Lodge — about 55 miles east of downtown Portland — is working with the U.S. Forest Service and the consulting firm that created the world-famous Whistler Mountain Bike Park to create a world-class mountain bike area on Mt. Hood.
According to Timberline’s website (pointed out to me by a friend yesterday — thanks Gabe!), the downhill trails would be fully lift-serviced and are currently scheduled to open in Summer of 2011. The initial project scoping has begun and Timberline is actively seeking comments, words of support, and ideas from mountain bikers. [Read more…]
