Jan...
Melt said:
1. does anyone got a good map?
2. is it rideable year round?
I might be up there in january or so and definitley want to bring my bike with me this time
if this is the trail ive been hearing about its like 30 miles of DH? Is it suitable for a freeride bike? Sorry for the noob questions but i dont know the area that well ... i was in eugene in january of this year and only went to the mall, and a friends house
You don't need much of a map to follow this trail, pretty much follow the river. But you can get a okay map from the local ranger district.
It all depends, usually the trail you can get to is a little sensitive in the winter (the lower 5 miles or so), The stuff you can get to usually is all of about 5-8 miles from an area know as Deer Creek up to Blue pool, and that is if you are lucky and the snow has melted away. Once I got up to clear lake in Feb but that was a few years ago and we had a extreme mild year for snow. Not looking that way this year.
As to DH, bikes, etc... It is in essance a DH trail, but that is loosing around 2500 feet over the 26.5 miles, and you almost climb 1000-1200 in the process, and most of our trails loose 2500-3000 in 8 miles

. A Free Ride bike is a common occurance on the trail but IMO to much bike (that coming from a Rigid SS'er). I like my Sugar in spots but for the most part a good hard tail with a 3"-4" fork it about perfect for MRT and most of our trails. You can make this trail 35 miles if you do the Santiam Wagon road part, fun double track.
Hikers are defiantly plentiful on the weekends and sometimes during the weekday. It has to be one of our hot spot trails when it comes to user conflicts. A lot of people ride it without much thought to anyone else and seem to care less about other users. I hae been on it numerous times behind larger groups and come accross angry hikers and bikers.
rant, rant, rant....
Anywase, if your coming up for sure in Jan, bring your XC bike and let us know when you can ride. We ride a lot in the winter, numerous areas, and would be happy to show you around. The Middle Fork is often a good trail depending on snow level. We are also hosting large group ride on Jan 21st, many folks from the MTBR boards will be there.
If you are looking for a ride, bring the XC bike