Alaskan looking for Oregonian wisdom about riding near portland

[evandaigneault]

Hey everyone.
Well, I might be crazy but I am having to strongly consider moving from where I live now, in Valdez, Alaska, to portland, OR due to a job opportunity and lady friend down in portland. I've never ridden in Oregon, but i know nothing really compares to where I live now which is the snowiest city in north america (350" in my front yard have fallen at sea level so far this year in Valdez.


Anyways, riding opportunities and outdoor recreation access are going to play a big part in whether i decide to take this job or not.

What are my options? I'd be willing to trailer up to a few hours on the weekends.

Any thoughts? Boondocking/hillclimbing opportunities near mt hood?


I ride a 2012 Arctic Cat M1100 Turbo

Thanks!

Evan

 

[mthoodskiguy]

Helen's and Adams will be the places ... Hood is the worst sledding n the west IMO. There are a couple other places staggered round but u will have the most consistent fun on Adams or Helen's with out a doubt...

 

[mthoodskiguy]

1.75 hrs to snow king snow park on Adams..
1.5 hrs to white river on hood

So you will have good sledding close just might not recommend the mt hood sledding as much as Adams.. I think 2hrs and Change for Helen's and actually hear that's better than both but I have never been there.. Didn't want to scare ya to much with the previous post so I figured I better clarify so ur lady friend doesn't come hunt me down and whoop my ***..

 

[evandaigneault]

1.75 hrs to snow king snow park on Adams..
1.5 hrs to white river on hood

So you will have good sledding close just might not recommend the mt hood sledding as much as Adams.. I think 2hrs and Change for Helen's and actually hear that's better than both but I have never been there.. Didn't want to scare ya to much with the previous post so I figured I better clarify so ur lady friend doesn't come hunt me down and whoop my ***..

Hahah. Too funny. Yeah.... Gotta keep the women happy

Whats so bad about Mt. Hood? What about Hoodoo?

 

[volcano buster]

Rode HooDoo today. About 22" of fresh powder this morning (Oregon powder to clarify) then it warmed up this afternoon to a heavy mess. Tomorrow when most folks will get there it should be borderline tough to ride. We had a good time since we were basically the first ones in.

I think you will be overall disappointed in the riding unless you hit everything on the optimum day after riding in AK.

 

[mthoodskiguy]

Hahah. Too funny. Yeah.... Gotta keep the women happy

Whats so bad about Mt. Hood? What about Hoodoo?

Hoodoo is a ways out and I can't honestly say I dont know much about it? Maybe it's the hidden gem of Oregon? As for hood I just never really found any exciting terrain there. Very few play areas and Long distances to get to em.. Maybe I am wrong but the best place on hood imo And some of the locals might shoot me for saying this but its green point reservoir out of parkdale, Or... Just don't go tell everyone and their mother...seriously seen locals get a little pissed when 8 dudes from pdx show up with one local.. Still a small area so go there with 4 or less people.. Take your beacon cause there are multiple multiple slide zones on the way up and where you play... Seriously keep it on the "dl" but check it out.. Riding isn't super high so if it's not snowing at say 2,500 ft ur gonna be in the rain for a long time.. You probably want to see a bit of snow in parkdale to assure that ur not riding on gravel.. And u still may find a few bare spots. But it really is the best on IMO..

 

[reed4rmk]

Local

Mt. Hood isn't worth the drive. Tons of car traffic on the way up and down due to all the ski areas. Not much riding once you get there, mostly trails. Adams and Helens are pretty good. Check out the Washington posts. Look under the posting "Marblemount...there are some good pics to look at.

 

[Oregongirl]

I think you will be overall disappointed in the riding unless you hit everything on the optimum day after riding in AK.

This is the best info to have about riding in Western Oregon. It's only the rare winter where we have mountain temps cold enough to keep the snow from getting heavy. The key is to follow the forecast and hit the mountain as soon as the storm passes, before it warms up. That means you have to have a flexible work schedule, as often those days are in the middle of the week. Lucky for me, my hubby and I have flexible schedules and have be able to hit some of the best days, season after season. Great snow. NO crowds. PERFECT!!

If you are willing to travel to ride, there is some pretty good stuff to be had. You aren't going to find it right "in your backyard" though. Nothing like you are used too, I'm sure.

It's a trade-off, for sure. Personally, I'd go where my heart is, if it meant we could ride together. But, that's just me. Perhaps your lady doesn't ride. Or, doesn't ride YET.

 

[evandaigneault]

It's a trade-off, for sure. Personally, I'd go where my heart is, if it meant we could ride together. But, that's just me. Perhaps your lady doesn't ride. Or, doesn't ride YET.

Exactly. Well said. I know it would be ridiculous for me to think that anywhere would be as good riding situation as where I live now. I mean i live in the snowiest town in Alaska with endless terrain out my front door, and zero land use restrictions regarding snowmobiles.

What are the land use restrictions like around St. Helens and Adams? I know as far as riding goes here, we get rain and wet snow down low at sea level sometimes, but we just climb to higher elevations and get up to where it stays below freezing all the time and the snow is good to go.

 

[volcano buster]

It may sound harsh, but if you move down this way I suggest giving up riding for a season. That way, when you finally can't stand it any longer you will enjoy any riding you can get, then it won't seem so bad. There are quite a few wildernesses located right where we would love to ride so we don't have the advantage of gaining elevation to get to the good snow. There should be plenty of folks to hook up with to learn some of the various areas.

 

[Franz]

mountains closest to portland, (not hood). St. Helens is not very restricted, just dont ride into the crater. You can find some challenging stuff there, lots of deep holes and ravines to play in. Short and steep climbs. A few long climbs to the rim. Adams is much more restricted but if the temperature is borderline, the snow is better there, its a little higher elev. than st. helens, and there is good boondocking (legal) areas to ride.