Although this is a segment that is technically an out and back, it is linked with two other great trails to make a loop. Add the Elk Creek trail (3 miles) and the Gravelle Brothers trail (2.5) and you have yourself a varied loop of just under 10 miles. The Storey Burn section has some great exposed ridge sections and some steaming fast sections that are worth the climb from Gales Creek. A couple of roots here and there, but for the most part the trail is smooth and fast.
If tied with Gales and Gravelle: Gales creek heading upstream is a fairly moderate 1 mile climb that would be fun going down. Easy access from the campground. Beautiful. The lower section is very tight, slightly overgrown, and very swirly. Fun coming down from the summit. Watch for debris and trip sticks. They are hard to see through the thicket. Gravelle is a fast downhill into a low lying wet area, then a short climb up to a gravel road and to the start top of Gales Creek from Summit TH.
Started at Storey Burn trailhead day use area. Headed towards Gales Creek Campground. First section was AWESOME smooth downhill on a scenic exposed ridgeline and past a small water fall. Took a right over the bridge headed towards the Gales Creek Campground. This first section was smooth, drops in moderation but enough to comfortably gain speed for the majority of the run! Tons of fun! From the camp ground the trail picks up again just to the right behind a trail information sign. This is where, if you wanted to avoid a brutal climb, you could shuttle a car (from the campground) or possibly even hitch a ride on the weekends when theres campers there. If you do not shuttle and want to make it a loop, continue on the trail towards the summit trail. This is one heck of a climb and I hiked my bike most of the ways but it was still a blast and a good work out! You will eventually come out on highway 6 and see the gravel road that you drove on to get to the Storey Burn Trailhead. While the climb and small section on gravel road was not nearly as much fun as the beginning downhill section, it was definitely worth it. In total, the loop took me roughly 2 hours or so.
Little wet and still fun...
| ThankToday we started from the GC campground picnic area.... 0.8 mi up to the junction... then 2.3 miles up story burn leg... lots of up hill, not a fav., lots of heavy walking / pushing up hills.
| ThankRoad from Gales creek campground to storey burns trailhead and back. Only about 6 miles total but plenty of climbing to storey burns TH and then flew back down. I've absolutely loved every trail I've ridden in Tillamook forest!
| ThankI rode this today as a counter-clockwise loop starting at the Summit Trailhead on Hwy 6 (near Storey Burn Rd). I rode down the Gales Creek Trail past the campground to where it connected with Storey Burn Trail then over the hill and back down to Gravelle Brothers Trail and back up to Hwy 6 and my starting point. The loop was 8.4 miles on my odometer and 7.8 miles on my GPS.
The Gales Creek Trail from the highway to the campground is mostly downhill and fast. It was in great shape although there was a recently fallen tree blocking the trail in one spot. I took the right fork into the campground but wished I had taken the left once I got through to the road.
The track from Gales Creek Campground to Storey Burn TH is mostly uphill. I had to dismount and walk several times, especially where the trail was steep and rocky. Otherwise, I geared down all the way and tried to keep low on the bike so I had enough weight on my back wheel for traction and my handle bars to steer.
The trail down from the Storey Burn TH was a blast. very fast and fun, although narrow and steep. I managed to biff it on one corner about mid-way down where I was trying to avoid the steep drop on one side and caught the side of the hill with my handle bar.
I don't know how, but I didn't notice where the trail went under Hwy 6. I guess I was having too much fun to notice.
I didn't see any other bikers - only a pair of hikers near the campground. Between this loop and the Gravelle Brothers - Wilson Wagon River Rd - Nels Rogers loop I preferred the latter although both were a lot of fun.
| ThankI haven't ridden the entire loop as described, but I have ridden the Storey Burn trail from Gales Creek Campground to the intersection with Hwy 6 as an OAB and also the Gales Creek trail as an OAB and both are tons of fun. I prefer Storey Burn since Gales tends to be overgrown. It's a solid climb from start to finish as an OAB and the downhill coming back is fast, well paced and just technical enough to keep your inner speed demon at bay.
| ThankA really fun and fast trail. Great single track with switchbacks through the mountain side. A good amount of up and down no matter which end you start from, but a much greater vertical drop overall if you start at the Storey Burn trailhead/day use area. The trail is fairly easy with few obstacles, but the potential for high speeds combined with the tight corners can make it more suited for intermediate riders.
| ThankThis is a great trail. Its fast, fun, challenging, and overall a great ride. I have only ridden a small portion of the trail system in this area, but from what I have experienced I can't imagine the surrounding trails being any different.
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