The sweet smell of morning dew. Wild grasses rustling in the breeze. The buzz of a freewheel spinning. You can feel it—spring is finally here, and we’re itching to hit the road for another summer of trail adventures. From our tried-and-true getaway at Everstoke to the annual pilgrimage to Downieville, this season’s shaping up to be a good one. But this year? We’re headed north to something even bigger. A trail network that’s MASSIVE, raw, and wild to the core—44 Trails. Let’s ride.
44 Trails… The OTHER Hood River MTB Network
Image appears courtesy: Oregon Territory Outfitters
If you’ve heard of Hood River’s mountain biking scene, chances are Post Canyon is the first trail network that comes to mind. It’s a destination in its own right, totally worth the road trip. But as the snow begins to melt off the flanks of the volcanic giant known as Mt. Hood, those in the know start turning their attention elsewhere—44 Trails.
This place is big. We’re talking over 150 miles of trail and more than 4,000 feet of vertical relief. And it’s wild. As our friends like to say at Local Freshies®, it’s “a nourishing cup full of high alpine pine forests and fern-covered forest floors.”
Want the full scoop? Dive into their 44 Trails mountain bike guide.
Shuttles Are The Way To Go
Image appears courtesy: Oregon Territory Outfitters
With a trail network as massive as 44 Trails, you could easily spend a lifetime exploring every nook and cranny. But if you’re just visiting, you’ll want to hit the highlights—the best of the best. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Oregon Territory Outfitters. They’ll not only guide you through this enchanting slice of the Pacific Northwest, but we’ll also help you level up your riding along the way.
And the best part? You don’t have to make the 40-minute trek from Hood River each morning. Campsites are already reserved near the trailhead, so you can wake up, roll out, and ride straight into adventure.
What To Expect
Saturday morning kicks off with a skills session—starting with a quick assessment and drills to dial in your fundamentals. You’ll learn how these core techniques translate directly to the terrain we’ll be riding.
Once you’re feeling confident, it’s time to hop on a shuttle to the top and put those skills to the test on some of the area’s more challenging trails.
Sunday starts with a mellow meet-up and a recap of Saturday’s technical terrain. Then it’s time to build on what you’ve learned with bonus progression drills before heading out to explore a whole new set of trails—yep, more shuttles, more riding, and more flow.
Who Is This Clinic Perfect For
This skills clinic is designed for intermediate to advanced riders. To make sure everyone has a great time, come prepared for big days on the bike—we’re talking more than 4,000 feet of descending and over 1,500 feet of climbing. It’s going to be a solid mix of fun and challenge!
For more about the skills clinic and lodging opportunities, check out our page here.
