Knebal Springs may be THE classic ride in the 44Trails.org system. It seems to be one of the first trails to be clear and open in the season – these days, as early as May. It’s a classic old-school single-track ride with something for every skill level. It may be a bit of a push for beginners; intermediate riders will get the chance to put their developing skills to use; experienced riders will love the descents and be challenged by the climb on the back side. Except for some short rocky sections and some small root/brake-bump combinations on the descent, most of the trail is pretty buff and non-technical.
To get to the trailhead, drive south from Hood River on Highway 35 for 25 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road 44. After 5.2 miles, veer right to stay on FS44/Dufur Valley Road and drive 3.5 miles. Turn left and park at the Eightmile Creek Trailhead. A Northwest Recreation Pass is required for parking; there is no potable water, and restrooms are available at Eightmile Campground a little farther down the road.
And, before you ride, you may want to see what’s available at some of the amazing local farms in the Parkdale area – this charming town is right near the trailhead, and some fresh produce will be quite tasty when you get to the “meadow with a view” later in the ride. Check out Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Draper Girls Country Farm, Mt. View Orchards or Mount Hood Organic Farms.
From the trailhead, ride counterclockwise on the Knebal Loop. You’ll start off with a steep climb through the forest (the pitch ranges mostly between 4 and 10 percent, with a few sections in the teens) for two-thirds of a mile – but you can just consider this a proper warmup, and groove on your surroundings out here in nature – smell the fresh air and listen for forest creatures. And, soon enough, you get your reward with a fun three-mile descent that drops 1,200 feet. Pick your way down or fly it, based on your comfort level and trail conditions – but just try keeping a smile off your face.
You’ll hit the low point of the trail when you cross the Middle Fork of Fivemile Creek. From here it’s roughly a four-mile climb out as you pass through the Knebal Springs Campground and up to a small meadow at the top that offers excellent views of Mount Hood. Pace yourself; it’s an extended effort with some steep grades, and there’s no shame in stopping for a breather or even walking a bit of the trail. It can also take some finesse to make it over small root obstacles, so stay alert.
Once you make it to the meadow, take a break, have a bite and enjoy the idyllic view; your (hard) work here is done. When you’re ready to access some more adrenaline, open up your suspension and enjoy the short descent back to the trailhead – a little less than a mile.
A few notes: These trails are popular, so say hello to fellow riders and offer the right-of-way to those climbing uphill. Take a second to pause and check in with riders instead of just blasting past; a little trail etiquette goes a long way to making everyone comfortable.
And a great thing about this zone is that you can easily access many rides from one parking area. If you still have the energy, head down the creek along Eightmile Trail for another six miles of single-track.
