An all singletrack route with great scenery through fun terrain, sharing trails that double as x-country ski trails in the winter. These are singletrack but are wider and flatter than most MTB trails. There are large brown signs within the Snow Park area marking the ski routes and although good for determining location they can mislead someone on a MTB route, once again a map of the area comes in really handy. Immediately upon setting off from the parking area you will come across a Y and one of these brown signs telling you the Swedes Ridge Loop is to the right- in order to avoid a lot of dirt road riding take a left here and follow the trail 2 miles all the way to the Swampy Lakes Shelter, passing a few other singletracks along the way. The trail leading north behind the shelter will lead you down 1000’ to the Tumalo Falls area. Staying on the Swedes Ridge Loop the trail from here gets tighter and more technical. Stay left at the next intersection (signed) and follow the trail 2 miles out the ridge on a fast & twisty trail with plenty of opportunities for viewing the surrounding mountains and canyon below. The trail suddenly stops at a FS road at the ridges point, lots of good views here. There is the option here for continuing on straight all the way down to join in the Phil’s Trail Network some 6 miles away. To stay on the Swedes Loop look right as soon as you hit the road, there is an unmarked singletrack disappearing back into the trees not more than 20 yards away. This is another fun section of tight trail through dense trees. Drops, switchbacks and a couple man-made skinnies await the rider along this 1.5 mile section until the route joins back in with a ski trail. Another 1.5 miles farther and you come to a 4-way intersection, go straight through this for another half mile and you come back to the main trail that heads to Swampy Lakes Shelter you started on, go left and its 1 fun mile back down to the parking area.
A shorter (easier) option to the Dutchman-Flagline loop when riding out of the Swampy Lakes TH. A map is required to make sure you end up back at your starting point. The ride itself will begin with a mild climb. You turn back toward the TH at the Swede Ridge shelter and remaining ride (3 miles) is a nice DH romp through the forest. This a great area and there are several rides, loops and shuttles, that can be pieced together from the Swampy Lake TH. Worth the time it takes to become familiar with this section of the trail system.
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