Mineral Creek - Trail Report

Looking for something new, I rode the Mineral Creek trail on Mt. Hood on 8/31/2008. This route starts and ends in the White River Snowpark and is #16 in John Zilly's Kissing the Trail book (2000 edition).

The trail doesn't look like it's been ridden in a while and route finding was difficult, even with a GPS. There's lots of blow down and downed trees on the trail and there are a number of loose, surfy, sandy sections. I missed a critical turn in the lower half of the ride leading towards the bridge back across Mineral Creek. After making my own crossing and bushwacking through the alder, I picked up the trail and rode back up to the bridge. Here are the GPS coords. I think they're accurate but use at your own risk. ;-)

N 45 16.56900024414062
W 121 37.48799896240234

It's hard to recommend the trail unless you really enjoy route finding, are looking for an upper body workout, or both. Due to the frequent trail obstructions, you can't really open it up, even through the forested section. Intermediate technical and aerobic skill level.

1695 total elevation gain/loss (Book: 1000 feet)
17 miles  (Book: 13.4)
3 1/2 hours ride time (Book: 4-5)