Winter Creek

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Rhododendron, OR, US

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Route-overzicht

Buckyrides

58 km

1.003 m

This is 95% car free and light gravel for the most part. It stays mainly on the lower south side of the Mount Hood Highway and there are a few closed bridge crossings where you have to walk your bike over small inactive bridges of creeks. (noted on the map). Great winter route with views of mountain from trillium lake.

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Routedetails

It’s that time of year when it’s too chilly or dicey to get caught in cold rain on a long ride. Maybe you want to get a workout or even a quick ramble into nature and soak up great scenery away from your regular routes. In essence you’re looking for that short winterish type ride.

Winter Creek route is a 95% car free route through mild gravel and small roads in the Mount Hood / trillium lake area that also takes on a splendid view of the mountain top from Trillium lake.

* Location: Rhododendron, Oregon
* Mileage: 36 Miles, with elevation gain 3,300ft
* Elevation profile – Gradual climbing all up front. Fun flow on way back.
* Terrain: 10% Road 90% Light Gravel, and 6 Miles of easy trail
* Bicycle: Offroad touring, Cyclocross, Gravel Bike even a road bike with 30’s.

I rode this at the end of November, typically intermittent rainy and low clouds, the advantage of the damp conditions is that the gravel is not dusty and overheating is not a problem. But, its also a fun route in summer too!
Temperatures on the ride were 36-45 degrees. If you are riding at this time, take a stout jacket, waterproof. Winter gloves and a change of gloves if you get hit by rain. Standard winter fare otherwise, legwarmers or bib tights. Booties or winter shoes. After all we are riding at the end of November on a mountain!

## Step Details

* The route starts off on a little side road that turns into a single wide flat trail. This trail used to be the main highway road until it was washed out many years ago and is now a hiking / walking / biking trail and a great connector for us. @photo[Trail 765B (road 19)](18713857)

* After crossing the highway, you will see a short yet suspended bridge that takes us over the back roads to Trillium Lake.
@photo[Bridge over Zigzag river](18713859)

NOTE: If you wished to skip the first part and opt for not crossing the highway, you could park at the ZigZag Ranger Station and modify the route very slightly.
@poi[Alt Parking](162232197)

* The backbone of the route is Still Creek Rd to Trillium Lake, the lowest section is smooth pave as it weaves through forest land cabins then soon turns to unpaved, light gravel with a few sections of deeper but manageable gravel and if the snowline is too low on the day you ride you can turn around wherever you like (highest point near Trillium is 3700ft )
* The road is rarely travelled and makes for an enjoyable almost car free ride. Off to the sides of the road are hiking trails and beautiful small creeks flowing into Still Creek, all immersed in that quiet wintery vibe nature.
* Trillium Lake Milepoint 16, on my day it was not clear but many a clear day the mountain view would be in the center of view. Still it was good to be up there in the clouds. @photo[Trillium Lake View](18729113)
* Right around milepoint 18 you will come across a Pioneer Cemetery. On a clear day you will find great views of the mountain can be had also.
@photo[Pioneer Cemetery](18713866)
[Pioneer Cemetery Info](https://mounthoodhistory.com/mount-hood/summit-meadow-pioneer-cemetery/)
* We head our way up Chimney Rock Drive and head back down Still Creek Rd for about 8 miles before turning. 
* Turning right on FR2632 at milepoint 26 you head up a short climb, at this point it feels very remote, but really we are mot too far from teh trail. Drop down the road a little and cross a bridge   before headed towards the Pioneer Bridal Path trail.
@photo[Chimney Rock](18713869)
* Here is a super fun part, at mile point 28 we turn left and jump onto the Pioneer Bridal Path, smooth flowy double wide and single trail in the trees. Small ruts and bumps to hop off of. Generally slightly down hill, and  this is a fun trail, not technical at all, easy to ride and highly visible.
@photo[Bridal path sign](18713871)
* Tollgate Campground at Mile point 31 has some bathrooms and creepy buildings! The outdoor fireplaces at the campsites are of a notable design.
@photo[Campground](18713855)
@photo[Creepy Camping Chimneys](18713872)

* From here (mile point 31) on the Bridal Path ends, so we left turn up Rd 20 and go back down the smooth section of still creek, to cross the highway and retrace our steps back to the start.

# Why I like this route

It’s close to 100% car free, thats really nice. Its not particularly difficult gravel or trails, more accommodating than that and fits the time of year. This lower south side of 26 route is smoother the trails on the north side, which can be a bit too much at this time of year.
The route makes you do some work in the beginning, rewards you in the middle and has an awesome sweet flowy playful finish of the lower Bridal path. Also cycling downon the bridal path much better than riding up!

# Important Reminders for Autumn & Winter riders

You are effectivley on the foothills of a mountain with very limited cell service, and possibly in the fall / winter season. Don't be a hero, it gets cold up at elevation so turn around if you get soaked or the weather gets too rough. It's flippable at most points and easy to figure some shortcuts back.
If you do this late in the year, there maybe snow after / around milepoint 13 (2400ft). The gate might be closed after Dec, but its fine to go on, they don’t want motorized vehicles past the gate.
Take 2 pairs of gloves and Expect to get slightly dirty

Winter Creek

Route-overzicht

Routedetails

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