Bend - North Fork Clear?

I doubt it. The owner of FleetFeet here ran N Fork/Farewell loop last week and picked his way through TONS of snow. Apparently, if he hadn't known the trail so well, he would have been screwed. That was on Tues or Wed of this week. We ran S Fork to Swampy Shelter, then Swamp Loop Trail to Swede Shelter then back down to Skyliner TH this morning. That trail is in killer shape.

Not as of this past weekend...too much snow.

socalbikegirl said:

Not as of this past weekend...too much snow.

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I'm just curious, is this of your own experience?

The reason I am a tad skeptical is that Mrazek all the way up to Happy Valley is snow free. Happy Valley is at (or above) that elevation.

Of course, North Fork resides in a much more shaded area, so perhaps you are right... it just seems unlikely to me.

How far did you get before too much snow?

Thanks in advance.

Rod got to the small bridge right before you take a hard right.

According to Forest Service, as of Friday. I didn't want to ride up only to have to walk back down.

a hiker said it was still snow covered

I met a hiker who walked through there on Saturday - he said it was still snowy and route finding was difficult - but his footprints should mark the way now.

We ended riding up Farewell and then down Mrazek Monday. Happy Trails made an out and back to Happy Valley before encountering too much snow as earlier reported by Dirt Farmer. Just one dumb dab each for us on Farewell heading up. In great shape now. Nice chat with Phil on the way down. He's the man.
Interesting conversation with Dan at Hutches about why Benders seem to like 12 miles of climbing for 3.2 miles of descending. None of us can figure that one out. Unanimous on up Farewell/down Mrazek.... Not North Fork. But, still a great little climb with a sweet payoff.

Borneo said:

Happy Trails made an out and back to Happy Valley before encountering too much snow as earlier reported by Dirt Farmer.

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Like Borneo said, we made it accross the bridge at Happy Valley and turned back. There was about 15 unridable drifts and about 4 blow downs. We even had a little trouble finding the trail at one point. I was half tempted to check out North Fork but rules are rules so we turned back and headed back down to Mrazek.

I think Phil was working from the first creek crossing above Farewell because there was about 10 fixed up water bars and only one set of tracks through the fresh dirt.

Happy Trails...

Borneo said:

Interesting conversation with Dan at Hutches about why Benders seem to like 12 miles of climbing for 3.2 miles of descending. None of us can figure that one out. Unanimous on up Farewell/down Mrazek.... Not North Fork. But, still a great little climb with a sweet payoff.

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Best Descent in Central Oregon is why..... Ride down the Tumalo, up Skyliner, down Woops. Great loop.

No way that's better than a run up Farewell and down Mrazek. Did both descents last weekend. Not even comparable. But, what evah....

We'll just keep chuckling and shaking our heads at ya'll. At least I got a couple others in the shop to agree with me. :thumbsup:
Need to go sometime when N. Fk is open so I can see what the hubbub is all about.

Mrazek? Are you kidding? That trail SUCKS. Nothing to see here...move along now......

Borneo said:

We'll just keep chuckling and shaking our heads at ya'll. At least I got a couple others in the shop to agree with me. :thumbsup:

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You and your new roadie bro's at Hutches keep chuckling... i'll keep riding.:thumbsup:

As a big guy with a bike bike, I much prefer the downhills to the uphills. But in North Fork's defense, it's a great trail. Climbs along the river, lots of waterfalls, and under a lot of shade. The grade's not too intense, either. (if I can spin up it, anyone can).

That said, I was planning on riding up NF and down Mrazek tomorrow, but sounds like there's still too much white stuff? Probably better to go up Farewell still?

I thought I'd bump up the original question. I've had family visiting for a few days, and did not ride at all this last week.

I'm guessing clear (snow-wise) after several steamy days. Any blowdown?

A friend just informed me that it's good to go.:thumbsup:

Just got back from North Fork - Happy Valley - Farewell. The only impediment to having a good time were a handful of blowdowns, minor snow, the usual grumpy, moustachioed, middle-aged men in nylon clothing, and lots of mosquitos.

There were only a few spots of snow up near Happy Valley, but they are totally passable. The Met-Win section in between Happy Valley and top of Farewell has a few blowdowns...maybe half a dozen or so?



DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR INSECT REPELLENT!!!

Thanks for the reminder, Nat. Heading up there tomorrow morning to run N Fork/Farewell from Skyliner TH. They were pretty bad up S Fork/Swampy yesterday morning, too.

Nat said:

Just got back from North Fork - Happy Valley - Farewell. The only impediment to having a good time were a handful of blowdowns, minor snow, the usual grumpy, moustachioed, middle-aged men in nylon clothing,

DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR INSECT REPELLENT!!!

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Hey, I resemble that remark! Actually only my wife was up there, and she doesn't have a moustache.

Did a great loop yesterday~ started at Phil's Trails up to Helipad, down Skyliner, up Tumalo, up Farewell, down Mrazek...no Mosquitos at all. ~34 miles of great singletrack! Talked to a guy who rode up N Fork over to Farewell and he said he had to carry his bike over some snow and said the Mosquitos were bad in Happy Valley area. We didn't see any at all on our ride...highly reccomend that loop!