Smith Creek

Smith Creek exit now signed!

Submitted Thu, 08/11/2011 - 9:14pm by DAnderson

The lower point of the Road 83 extension at it's junction with the Smith Creek trail is now signed by the Forest Service.  The sign was placed August 10th and points out to mountain bikers where to turn off the Smith Creek trail to return back to the parking lot at the Ape Canyon trailhead.  This announcement was made by Sharon Steriti, Trails/Climbing Specialist with the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument. 

Smith Creek Culvert unplugged!

Submitted Tue, 09/28/2010 - 10:37pm by DAnderson

The Smith Creek trail provides an important link to the IMBA epic Ape Canyon and Smith Creek Loop Trail.  For those doing the whole loop it is a 25 mile ride of scenery unlike any that can be experience anywhere else.  Short portions of the lower Smith Creek travel on what used to be Road 92.  Riding on some of those sections of doubletrack is much like riding through the hallway leading to the audience room in the Wizard of Oz.  The impact of the 1980 eruption can still be noted on virtually all sections of the loop trail.  Ash and pumice blanketed the slopes throughout the area and in subsequent winters all that material got washed down the slopes, with some of it blocking culverts along the old Road 92.  One such blockage created a pond that was about six feet deep, the overflows from which severely eroded what used to be a wide logging road down to a narrow ledge that's less than 3 feet wide.  Any further erosion of the ledge in that section of trail is on would virtually close the entire Smith Creek trail down to all use depriving mountain bikers one of the premier trails in the Pacific Northwest. 

New Belgium hits the trails!

Recently, I had the honor and pleasure to spending some time with David Anderson and Amy Singmaster on the Smith Creek Trail near Mount Saint Helens.  Brian Bogan and I traveled out from Fort Collins CO early for our Portland Tour de Fat (this Saturday, August 14, in Waterfront Park) to soak up the scenery and enjoy the company of our friends from the Northwest Trail Alliance.  The NWTA will be benefiting from the Parade and will be benefiting from the Merchandise and Do-It-Yourself Booths.
 
I had been tentative to commit to such an adventure.  I am much more of a utilitarian bicyclist, I commute almost daily and on the other days I walk.  But getting on a mountain bike and riding singletrack with locals is a little daunting when you are not much of a mountain bike rider.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to ride-but I have been working for a brewery for over 8 years, let’s just say I’m really good at 12oz curls.  Bogan, on the other hand, can shred with the best of them-so he was psyched.

Smith Creek trail ride and work party, Mount St Helens

Submitted by DAnderson

What better way to celebrate Labor Day weekend than volunteering some time to do some needed trail work?  The Forest Service would like us to concentrate our work efforts on the Smith Creek Trail, Mount St Helens.  This work party is being spearheaded by Bike Gallery employees, James Ceccorulli and David Anderson. 

$0.00

Smith Creek Labor Day ride and work party

Submitted by DAnderson

What better way to celebrate Labor Day weekend than volunteering some time to do some needed trail work?  The Forest Service would like us to concentrate our work efforts on the Smith Creek Trail, Mount St Helens.  This work party is being spearheaded by two Bike Gallery employees, Darrin Joos and David Anderson. 

$0.00

Mount St Helens - Smith Creek work parties

Submitted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 9:34pm by DAnderson

This Sunday, August 1st, will be the first of several work parties on the Smith Creek Trail, Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument, during August and September.  Dates for the other work parties will be announced at a later date.

On sunday's work party we will be doing some as needed work hopefully as far 'north' as, or above, Ape Canyon Creek.  Future work parties will focus on sections of the trail above that point.

There will be ample opportunity to ride your bike before, during and after, the work party.  Tools needed include: shovels, loppers, garden rakes, brush saws, and if you have access to one, a bob trailer - although I have two we could use another.

We need to leave Portland by 07:00.  We can meet up in Battleground (at Fred Myers on the north-west side of Hwy 503 and Main Street - if needed) before proceeding up to the Ape Canyon Trailhead.  We'll descend in to Smith Creek on the old 83 Road.

If interested please e-mail me at ujelang at gmail dot com for a meeting time/place in Portland.  Please advise if any questions.

Smith Creek, Mount St Helens, out and back & work party

Submitted by DAnderson

Due to rain on June 6th this ride was postponed.  The weather forecast for Sunday June 13th calls for sun and 80F - but I'm not holding my breath. 

The road to Ape Canyon Trailhead is now open!  It's time to ride up at the Mountain!  To celebrate we're going to do an out and back ride on the Smith Creek Trail.  We don't know what conditions await us since this will be the first ride of the season up there. 

We'll combine some work and play on this ride.  I'll be bringing some loppers, brush saws and a few other tools on this trip.  If you have loppers or brush saw bring them too!

We meet at the Powell Blvd Park and Ride - on the Max Green Line  located on 3618 Southeast 92nd Avenue (at the stop light turn east!).  This Park and Ride provides a slightly easier on/off the freeway than the Gateway Park and Ride).  Be at the Park and Ride so we can LEAVE by 08:00.  Those wanting to meet at the Ape Canyon trailhead should be there by 10A.  Parking permits are required at Ape Canyon and Lava Canyon parking lots; those can be obtained in Cougar at the Lone Fir Resort.  Please advise if interested in attending! 

$0.00

Trail conditions, Mount St Helens Area

Submitted Mon, 06/29/2009 - 6:54am by DAnderson

 

Mount St Helens work party - postponed

Submitted by DAnderson

 This work party has been postponed.  My next scheduled work party around Mount St Helens area will be July 10th.  Details to be announced.

  SC

Upper Sheep Canyon trail (OK it's not Smith Creek, but what the heck!)

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks very much,  David Anderson

e-mail: ujelang at aol dot com

$0.00
Syndicate content