The Hardesty Mountain trail is definitely on a mountain! I highly recommend getting a shuttle up the gravel road to the top of the trail, but even if you do, it'll still be a stiff 1-1.5 mile ride/push to the top of Hardesty Mountain. Shuttle to the top using USFS Rd 5835 and then a right onto Rd 550.
From there, be prepared to descend fast & furious back down to the reservoir below! This trail is a brake-burning descent down narrow pine needle-covered singletrack through beautiful a beautiful PNW forest. The upper section features a few serious switchbacks that might require a dismount, but otherwise it is pretty smooth and flowy--but steep!
The lower section of the trail has seen more wear and is a little rougher and a little wider, but it's still brake-burning steep and relatively flowy.
Once at the bottom, you can pop out onto the road, or this trail can be looped with other trails in the area, including Eula Ridge and the South Willamette Trail.
This is a must-do when in Oakridge. Check with the folks at Oregon-Adventures for shuttle options. As of 2014, for $60 you can shuttle this AND Lawler together. It's kind of $teep because the two are separated and the shuttling both takes 4-ish hours (total including ride time). Super fast, rugged trail requiring surgical precision. For intermediate-advanced-expert riders, but do-able for less experienced if you're cautious.
| ThankFast, but hard at the same time since you constantly need to be on the brakes, or you will be soon! Rating this a black diamond, mainly for steepness and exposure.
| ThankI've never heard of this ride being called by this name. The trailhead described in the directions is one of the very best in this area. It accesses several great singletrack trails as well as miles of old logging roads. The rides here vary in difficulty from aerobically and technically moderate out-and-backs of 5 miles or so, to gruelling and utterly thrilling loops of 25+ miles. The South Willamette Trail winds about 5 miles along the Willamette River through evergreen forest. It is moderate both technically and aerobically, but very fun with lots of smooth, fast downhill sections as well as plenty of twisty, short climbs. It has several creek crossings--some with bridges, some without. The forest service requests that riders avoid this and the adjacent trails while they are wet as they are easily degraded. One can call the Forest Service for updates. Goodman Creek Trailhead is also accessed from the parking lot on Hwy. 58. This trail is a little more advanced and gains more altitude. It's upper terminus allows access to more trails of greater difficulty which make for some great, challenging all-day rides. Take a map and compass.* Review edited 1/23/2012
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