tom archer

Major regional timber company now requires permit on popular logging roads

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

New sign spotted near
Green Mountain in Vernonia area.
(Photo by Tyler Robertson/Two Wheel Travel)

I have some bad news, some good news, and some very good news.

First, the bad news…

As of today (July 1st), timber company Weyerhaeuser Columbia Timberlands has started a new program that requires all users of their tree farms and other land in Columbia and Washington counties to have an official permit. This new “recreational access program” is something Weyerhauser has done on their land in other parts of the United States but it’s a first here in our region. The company owns about 126,000 acres in dozens of parcels between Portland, Longview and the Oregon Coast.

As you can from the lead photo, new signs have already been posted.

River View Forest will soon be
owned by the City.
(Photo: City of Portland)

Calling it the “largest land acquisition in recent decades,” two City bureaus (Parks and Environmental Services) teamed up with Metro to purchase 146 acres of natural area known as the “River View Forest” in Southwest Portland. The $11.25 million deal was announced Monday and was approved by City Council yesterday.

The privately owned land, which is adjacent to and south of River View Cemetery off of SW Macadam Ave, is currently home to a large network of unofficial bike trails that have been ridden for many years. Once the City of Portland becomes the official land-owner (which should be finalized later this summer), what does the future hold for mountain bike access?

Supporters of the NWTA showed up in force
at a Forest Park rally in October of
last year.(Photos © J. Maus)

2010 was a landmark year for the Northwest Trail Alliance and now the up and coming off-road bicycling advocacy group is hiring their first ever paid staff member.

Last year was full of controversy and hard work by the group as they tackled issues like bike access in Forest Park, the new bike trails coming to Gateway Green, changes to the trail network at Powell Butte, major trail additions at Sandy Ridge, and much more.

Riding in Scappoose.
(Photo: Jordan Norris)

Local mountain bike advocates are working to strengthen their relationship with a timber company in Scappoose.

Longview Timber, LLC owns a large tract of land just 20 miles north of Portland that has become a popular riding area over the years. The problem is, while Longview has been gracious in allowing people to ride bikes on their property, the ad-hoc trail network is not signed and some riders have been caught in prohibited areas (sometimes going right under caution tape). Last summer during fire season, Longview representatives reached out to the community to urge compliance with closed areas.

The kickoff of the first annual Portland Trail Fest last night served as an inspirational kick-in-the-pants for local off-road riding advocates.

It has been nearly three years since the lack of local trails was first brought to the attention of the City’s bicycle advisory committee. Chris Distefano, the man who made an impassioned speech to that committee on May 9, 2007, addressed the crowd last night. Distefano is the marketing director at Chris King Precision Components, a company that allows him paid time away from the office to advocate for more mountain biking in Portland. Before introducing the night’s speakers, Distefano — a former board member of the International Mountain Bicycle Assocation (IMBA) and PR guy for Shimano America — stated the ultimate dream for local mountain bikers:

Tonight is the long-awaited open house to view bike trail access options recommended by the Forest Park Single Track Cycling Committee. At the event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about all the options on the table, ask questions of committee members, and then offer your feedback to Portland Parks staff.

Three trail options will be presented at the open house. Details and accompanying trail maps of the options have not been fully released, but thanks to committee meeting notes and information provided by one of the committee members, we’ve got a good sense of what is included in each one.

Major regional timber company now requires permit on popular logging roads

Off-road bike trails figure into new property acquired by Parks Bureau

First paid staffer marks milestone for off-road advocacy group

Mountain bikers look toward better relations with Scappoose land owner

Trail Fest kickoff a pep rally for off-road advocates

Forest Park single track open house: Know before you go

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