There are certain trail names that have the patina of legend to them; you hear them thrown around in conversation when adventurous riders gather. They define the riding in certain parts of Oregon. In the wilds of the Mt. Hood National Forest above Hood River, Surveyor’s Ridge that big name. If you have skills and the desire to experience the best of the area, you have to ride it.
Beyond that imperative, this route also showcases one of the most scenic legs of the Oregon Timber Trail. If you’re looking for an epic one-day challenge, or want to finish off a weekend riding trip with a bang, head here. This link-up of Gunsight, Eightmile and Surveyor’s fits the bill perfectly.
You can catch a shuttle in Hood River for this one-way adventure; local bike shops offer custom shuttles for this and other nearby rides. If you can self-shuttle, head up Highway 35 roughly 33 miles from downtown and pull off at the Bennett Pass Sno-Park on the east side of the highway.
The ride begins with a nice 4-mile shakedown climb up into the woods from Bennett Pass, following a bouncy jeep road and then some rocky single-track . After the initial ascent section, enjoy a brief break of flowing single-track under high-elevation fir and pine trees; you’ll also be rewarded with technical talus traverses and looming views of Mount Hood to the west.
After 5 more uphill miles through exposed and rolling terrain, re-join the jeep road and peak at 6,000 feet, at High Prairie Trailhead. Here you begin almost 20 miles of gradual descent, first traveling along the Eightmile Trail, and then connecting to Surveyor’s Ridge.
But it’s not all gravity-fed fun. While technically a downhill, Surveyor’s is an exhaustive ride, with lots of short punchy uphills and fearsome rock gardens. Take your time, since it’s often rocky and traction comes and goes. You’ll drop 2,400 feet of elevation in about 2.5 miles.
This may be one of the most visually stunning, technically challenging and physically demanding rides you do in Oregon. It’s not until you reach the Oak Ridge Trail that things smooth out as you return to Highway 35 and cross over to Parkdale.
It’s only natural for you to have worked up quite a thirst on this ride, so we’ve opted to end it at Solera Brewery in Parkdale, for a beer and even more views of Parkdale farmland and Mount Hood. The renowned Apple Valley BBQ across the street might be your next stop; they serve up eye-widening platters of ribs.
