Knebal Springs Loop

Buffed out single-track and awesome views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier highlight this fun, nine-mile loop. The ride includes short stretches on gravel roads and double-tracks, but most of the trip is on single-track (there are 1.3 miles of pavement near the start of the loop). Some of the trail miles are in less than perfect shape, and obstacles in the tread can create situations that require developed bike-handling skills. Energetic intermediate cyclists might enjoy this circuit, but they should be prepared to get off and walk their bikes from time to time. The trip includes some fun descending. Tight turns, a narrow tread, and soft conditions can complicate these drops.

The trailhead is in Knebal Springs Campground. This site is popular with equestrians, who enjoy trotting the area's many trails and forest roads. Local mountain bikers enjoy linking Knebal Springs Loop with Eightmile Loop Trail to create an outstanding longer ride.

	Knebal Springs Loop at a Glance Length/configuration: 9-mile loop (mostly single-track) Aerobic difficulty: Moderately difficult climbing; several short, steep climbs and some brief hike-a-bike sections Technical difficulty: Moderately difficult single-track trails (bordering on difficult); some stretches are smooth and sweet Scenery: Dense forests; wildflowers and views of snow-capped volcanoes from clear-cuts Special comments: Great advanced intermediate ride; Knebal Springs Campground and area trails are popular with equestrians Map

General location: This outing is approximately 35 miles south of Hood River.

Elevation change: The trailhead in Knebal Springs Campground is at 3,800'. The high point of the loop, 5,040', occurs on Knebal Springs Trail 474 (about 3 miles into the ride). Ups and downs add approximately 700' of climbing to the trip. Total elevation gain: 1,940'.

Season: The trails and roads on this ride may remain blanketed with snow into the late spring. The summer and fall are good times for visiting the area. Call ahead to inquire about trail conditions and seasonal closures.

Services: Recent tests of the water at Knebal Springs Campground indicate that it is not potable. (Further testing may demonstrate that the water is fit to drink; direct inquiries to the Barlow Ranger District.) You can get drinking water at the Sherwood and Robinhood Campgrounds (on OR 35). The Mt. Hood General Store (13 miles south of Hood River on OR 35) stocks a limited supply of groceries. All services are available in Hood River.

Hazards: Watch for vehicles on the roads. Watch for equestrians, mountain bikers, and pedestrians while traveling on the trails and roads of this loop. When approaching horses, stop and dismount to yield the trail. (When approaching from behind, stop well in back of equestrians, and announce your presence; do your best to avoid spooking the animals.) Talk to the riders in a normal tone of voice; ask if their horses are easily spooked and for instructions on how the equestrians would prefer you to facilitate passing. Your voice will help the horses recognize you as a human. The trails and roads on this trip include obstacles like roots, rocks, waterbars, narrow sections of tread, and soft conditions. Remain in control on the descents; the downhills near the end of the ride can be particularly hairy.

Rescue index: Help can be summoned during regular business hours at the Hood River Ranger Station in Mt. Hood. (Take Forest Service Road 44 to OR 35; turn right and drive north for 11.7 miles to the ranger station on the left.) There is a pay phone at the Mt. Hood Country Store (just north of the ranger station on OR 35). Emergency services are located in Hood River.

Land status: Mt. Hood National Forest.

Maps: "Green Trails" maps 462, Mt. Hood, OR, and 463, Flag Point, OR, are good guides to this ride. The district map of the Barlow Ranger District is helpful as a guide to the trails and roads in the area, but it is incomplete in some regards (still worth carrying). USGS 7.5 minute quads: Fivemile Butte and Dog River. See MAP.

Finding the trail: From locations to the north, drive south from Hood River on OR 35 for 25 miles. Turn left (1.4 miles south of Sherwood Campground) onto FS 44/Dufur Mill Road. From locations from the south, drive north on OR 35. FS 44/Dufur Mill Road will be on your right, 6.8 miles north of Bennett Pass (2.6 miles north of Robinhood Campground). Follow FS 44 for 5.3 to FS 17 (signed for Knebal Springs Campground). Continue straight onto FS 17 (where FS 44 curves right). In 0.5 mile, continue straight onto FS 1720 (signed for Knebal Springs) where FS 17 goes left. Stay on FS 1720 for 2.7 miles to FS 150. Turn right onto FS 150 and drive 0.2 mile to enter Knebal Springs Campground. Bear left through the campground to park on the left in an open grassy area.

For more information, see Mt. Hood National Forest, Barlow Ranger District or Hood River Ranger District.

Notes on the trail: The ride begins across the road from the campground outhouse. Look for a faint trail that is marked by a "closed to motor vehicles" sign. (The trail goes between 2 campsites and heads into the woods.) Ride up this trail, turning left in 0.3 mile onto paved FS 1720. After 1.3 miles of pavement, turn left and climb up signed Knebal Springs Trail 474. Shortly, you will arrive at a gravel road. Turn right onto the road, then immediately turn left to regain the trail and ride into a clear-cut. In 0.3 mile, turn left onto a gravel road, then immediately turn right to regain signed Trail 474. You will arrive at a dirt double-track in 0.4 mile, bear right and ride through a clearing with incredible views of volcanic snow-cones. Soon, the roadbed becomes gravel and Trail 474 branches off to the left. Pick up the trail and pedal 0.3 mile to cross an overgrown double-track. In another 0.9 mile, cross a gravel road and follow the trail as it becomes a double-track. (The double-track is marked with a sign that directs you toward Trail 455 and Trail 450.) Travel down the double-track for 0.2 mile to signed Bottle Prairie Trail 455. Turn left and climb up this trail for 0.5 mile to an intersection with Eightmile Loop Trail 459. Here, continue straight (take the left fork) to remain on Bottle Prairie Trail 455 toward Knebal Springs Campground. You will pass a side trail in 0.4 mile; it goes right to Perry Point. (Follow this short trail if you would like another view of Mt. Adams.)

After passing the side trail to Perry Point, continue in a northeasterly direction on Trail 455. The trail descends nicely to a double-track. Cross the double-track and ride 0.9 mile to an intersection where Knebal Springs Trail 474 goes left. Bear left to follow the trail toward Knebal Springs Campground. Some climbing leads to an unsigned gravel road. Turn left onto the road and ride 200 feet to regain the trail on the right. Descend and cross 3 creeks. (The first 2 creek crossings are followed by 2 brief, steep uphills, the third creek crossing is followed by a long, steep climb.) The ride ends with a descent into Knebal Springs Campground.

This loop can easily be linked with Eightmile Loop Trail (Ride 91). Follow the above ride description to the intersection of Bottle Prairie Trail 455 and Eightmile Loop Trail 459 (4.5 miles into the ride). Instead of continuing on Trail 455, turn right and follow Trail 459. Utilize the "Notes on the trail" for Eightmile Loop Trail (Ride 91) to return to the intersection of Trail 455 and Trail 459. Complete the ride by following the directions for the Knebal Springs Loop; ending at Knebal Springs Campground.