Going clockwise, it starts out as a rolling, swooping single track. Fir needles, a few roots, nice. After you walk your bike two hundred yards on the Pacific Crest Trail, the trail changes to more rocky single track with steeper pitches. You cross a few roads, but there isn't much traffic up there. The part around Clackamas Lake is pretty easy--very dusty in late summer. The latter part of the ride on the east side of Timothy Lake has a few technical spots, but nothing too serious. Come out on forest road 57, cross the dam, and you're done. The trail itself can be a good workout for beginners and experience in riding the trail will vary whether you ride it clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Plenty of fun here. The loop actually consist of several trails. The Timothy Lake Trail (#528) is a 7 mile smooth & wide path that is perfect for raw beginners. The Headwater (#522), Miller (#534) and Old 1916 (#537) trails that complete the loop are a bit more technical but definitely low stress rides. Beautiful ride through the forest. Additionally, Southshore Trail (#529) provides scenic views of the lake with Mt. Hood in the background from the Hood View Campground to the dam.
| ThankIts a good trail to ride if your in camping or just there for the day and want something to do. Pretty straightforward mainly with a couple of areas that are rather tricky. There are also a couple of downhill areas that are entertaining to ride but differ in whether your riding the trail clockwise or counter-clockwise. Besides that, you got some great views of the lake in different parts of the trail.
| ThankThis was definitely a good trail to take a beginner on. The first 1/2 is pretty easy and good to get their feet wet (not literally...). There's a few hills, and a few good downhills for speed. A couple of places with clumps of roots and groupings of rocks, but nothing major. The second 1/2 after the walking section is definitely a little more technical, but again, nothing that a beginner with any sense of balance couldn't navigate. It does get a little dustier, and hillier and rockier and rootier (is that a word?), but still good and fun. Well worth taking a day of riding for as long as you don't want something crazy.
| ThankGreat trail for beginners; albeit, there are a few tricky spots along the loop. Didn't meet any other bikers along the mostly single track trail. You must walk your bike at one point along the Pacific Crest Trail--maybe a couple hundred yards. With the little bit of altitude and its 12 miles, the loop is a nice workout.
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