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Level: Intermediate
Length: 7 mi (11.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +1,120/ -1,036 ft
Total: 68 riders
Mountain Biking 8 Mile Loop/ Tr #459
#40 of 307 mountain bike trails in Oregon
Leaving Bottle Prairie this trail heads downhill for a 2.5 mile, very fast singletrack ride through the forest along eightmile cr. Although there is a lot of downed trees in the area I didn’t find any across the trail, but stay alert, its easy to gain a lot of speed on this section. At the junction with Eightmile crossing (start option #2) proceed left, at this point you will re-acquaint yourself with 1st, 2nd and maybe 3rd gears once again as the trail climbs about 900’ via switchbacks in the next 1.5 miles. Once on top of the ridge you will run across a short spur to the R that leads to t he base of a fire lookout station at 4627’, a great spot for a break. Back on the main trail you’ll have .5 miles of fast downhill before crossing a F.S. rd and a bit more climbing before the final mile of single track back to Bottle Prairie.
This a great singletrack trail that is well maintained and obviously a popular route for the locals here. Please ride with respect.
First added by AK_Dan on Nov 1, 2007. Last updated Jul 30, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Start option #1- Turn South on Highway 35 from Hood River, turn L on road 44. Follow rd 44 6 miles and turn L into Bottle Prairie TH, (this is a very small rd and easy to miss) cross cr and park. Singletrack starts right next to cr and heads downstream. Start option #2- Continue on rd 44 another 3 miles to the well marked Eightmile campground on the L, as you near the campground ground park in the lot near the 1st outhouse. There is a sign there marking the TH indicating ‘clockwise’ to be the preferred direction of travel- maybe so for hikers but this trail report was written in a ‘counter-clockwise’ direction. Continue up the trail .3 miles across a road and to a junction with the main trail.
I really like this trail. Although either direction would be fun, I rode Knebal counterclock then 8 mile clockwise. After climbing only about a mile on Knebal, it opens up to some higher speed flow in and out of meadows and hillside trails. The climb out is a mild grade. 8 Mile offers an epic view about halfway through as you climb to a fire tower. I'm most anxious to get back out there to ride it counterclock to descend the long creekside trail rather than climbing out at the end. Great trails with a remote backcountry feel.
| ThankEveryone should ride this trail. If you are a beginner, this is the perfect ride to gain confidence. Just over 6 miles, the loop can be ridden in either direction. More seasoned riders can tie in a loop with Bottle Brush Prairie and Knebel Springs Trails. Leaving from the same TH you can manage 17 miles and 3,000' elevation gain along that route.
| ThankThis is a great ride with awesome views! Stop in and get a map in Hood River as there are a lot of options here. Ride as much of this area as you can, your riding on an active volcano!
| ThankI rode this trail a year ago as my second ever MTB trail. The trail system links are quite decent in this area. (Did Knebel Springs same time last year, and that's a GREAT trail). The flow down to 8 mile CG is pretty awesome. Though, there was one corner that snuck up on me because I wasn't paying close enough attention. I damn near launched off the trail and right into a downed log. Whoops. Definitely a medium beginner level trail.
| ThankRode this clockwise. Dirt was in good shape but getting dusty. Great trail for beginners. Just enough exposure to all the requisite skills required without being too much. The trail should motivates you to practice for more challenging intermediate single tracks. If you aren't a beginner, ride one of the many other trails in the area.
| ThankThe trail was in great shape. Very easy to find and well marked. A really great intermediate loop. The ride is nice both directions but counter-clockwise gives you the flowing decent down the creek to 8 mile campground... really nice!
| ThankI just pulled this up on google, the road is called Brooks Meadow rd but also labeled Natl Forest Develop rd 44 on the map. It is aprox 25 miles south of the town of Hood River.
| ThankI hope they havent completely logged this area since then, it wass a pretty cool ride.
I realize the directions are a few years old but I looked for this and was unable to find it because I had no idea how far to drive on 35 to reach "road 44" or if "road 44" had been renamed.
| ThankAt about 1 mile up the switchbacks I ran a cross a notice stating that the trail was closed ahead due to logging operations. Not hearing any chainsaws I continued on only to find there had been logging there but not anything current, the trail was open and free of any debris.
| ThankGiven a chance to do this trail again I would start at #2 – I prefer to get all the climbing over and done with and save the downhill for the end, the campground area would also provide a safer place to park your vehicle.
* Review edited 11/1/2007