While traveling along the stretch of Interstate 84 between Portland and Hood River, one has to wonder why there isn’t a single-track trail connecting the two cities. A paved multi-use path is currently in construction, visible from the freeway. But why isn’t there a natural surface trail you can mountain bike on? Here’s the thing: there is one in there for part of it, and it’s the biggest non-secret, secret trail around: Gorge Trail #400.
Wanting to become familiar with the area I finally explored it a year or two ago, setting out from the John Yeon State Park trailhead. Making my way east, the route was be completely deserted at points, only to become congested with pedestrian traffic at intersections near waterfalls or other scenic features. Although careful to limit riding on bike-friendly, multi-use sections, several trail users we met on the trail were rude and even accused us of riding off-limit trails.
Even more frustrating, much of the signage was not clear on whether it is a bike friendly section.
The route we completed had us exiting where the trail overlaps with the PCT; bikes are prohibited at this point. We exited near Cascade Locks and pedaled the paved path to return, logging just under 20 miles of pedaling.
The Wyeth Segment of Trail #400
I returned for another go at Trail #400 this weekend, starting at the Wyeth Campground. I hadn’t yet experienced the last segment, as it doesn’t actually connect at the moment.
The area is currently receiving some work, and a new parking lot was under construction. Not knowing the fee status of the area, we parked off the side of Wyeth Road to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Pedaling up through the campground, we discovered the trailhead and rode the trail headed eastward.
Trail #400 is a classic PNW Forest Service single-track trail, and the Wyeth to Herman Creek Segment rides like the other sections. Most of the tread is fairly tame, but there are some rocks here and there. XC hardtail 29″ bikes are well-suited for the route, as we were often off the bike, portaging over downed trees. It made progress slow at times, and we lost track of how many downed trees we encountered after 15 or 16.
Considering the actual length of this segment was only 3.62 miles, it felt much longer with all the off-the-bike hiking. As an out-and-back, it’s almost 8 miles of XC riding. The other segments make for a better experience, but it’s tough to say what is currently open due to the information available online.
How to find Gorge Trail #400
Finding information about the route on the Forest Service website is confusing. According to the Forest Service, the full Gorge Trail #400 is 35 miles long. However, the route is broken into segments, and navigating all the bike-legal segments is an adventure all its own.
To be clear, they do connect, for the most part. If you’re looking to ride the length of the route, you’re routed onto the multi-use path and a section of road now and then, but as the trail parallels the I-84, you simply continue along until the next entrance is apparent.
While bikes are allowed on some segments, the area’s primary user group is hikers, with trailheads dedicated to routes to connect to waterfalls, picnic areas, and campsites.
The fire took a major toll on the trail, with much of the rock and hillside being left unstable. Most segments have since been reopened.
The navigational challenge of riding the Eastern Segments of Gorge Trail 400
The official Forest Service website states:
The Trail begins at Angel’s Rest Trailhead on the Historic Columbia River Highway and ends at Wyeth Trail #411 near Gorton Creek. Parts of this trail “piggyback” on other system trails.
Mountain bikes are prohibited on Segments 1 and 2 from MP 0 – 15; On the trail guide this equates to the sections between Angel’s Rest trailhead and Ainsworth Campground and between Moody Road and Herman Creek trail #406.”
Because the 400 Trail utilizes other trail segments as part of its route, they’re often referred to as other trail names. This can make navigation quite challenging.
Note that each time we’ve tried to find a “real” Forest Service Map, its been almost impossible. The Forest Service website pages are often changed, and many of them currently are broken at the time of this update.
This page on OregonHikers.org is possibly the best resource for trying to attempt the mostly bike-legal east segments. One of these days I may have to take a crack at it and record it to post on Ride with GPS for posterity and for other riders looking to do the route without the headaches.
As riders we don’t want much – we just want to be able to ride a dirt trail from our home in Portland east, all the way to Hood River. Maybe some day…
Gorge Trail #400 Bike-legal sections from West to East:
Gorge Trail #400 – John Yeon Park to
Tanner CreekWahclella – MP 15 to 19.5Gorge Trail #400 –
Tanner CreekWahclella to Eagle Creek – MP 19.5 to 22.5Gorge Trail #400 – Eagle Creek to Cascade Locks – MP 22.5 to 25
Gorge Trail #400 – Cascade Locks to Wyeth (Bikes only allowed on the 3.4 mile stretch from Wyeth Trailhead to Herman Creek Trail #406) MP 25 to 35
Forest Service Link: Gorge 400 Trail