Recreational activities abound around Timberline Lodge, but the U.S. Forest
Service is considering a proposal by RLK and Company, the lodge operators,
to add even more: a system of mountain bike trails and skills park.

Construction of the project could begin next year.

“It would be really good for Timberline and the area from a business
standpoint,” said Jon Tullis, Director of Public Affairs at Timberline. “If we do
this, we want to do it world class. There’s a tremendous amount of demand
and we have really done our homework with best practices.”

Proposed area
The mountain bike area would include approximately 15 miles of downhill
trails on up to eight acres of the mountain, while the skills park, a bike
“playground” for cyclists to perform tricks, would be built on up to 1.25 acres
below the Wy’East Day Lodge.

Bikers would utilize the Jeff Flood Express Chairlift to access the trail system,
which would include trails for all ability levels.

No new lift would be constructed for the project, and the bike trails would be
separate from the current ski trails (while the trails would sometimes
intersect). The park would likely be open from mid July through mid to late
October, with daily and season tickets available.

Tullis described the experience as a “gravity sport,” but added that it’s a
misconception that bikers will get a straight run down the mountainside. The
trails will be approximately three-feet wide in most spots and include
numerous switchbacks down the hill.

A group from Timberline visited the Whistler mountain bike park in Canada
last year and came away impressed with the experience.

“You get to the bottom and all you want to do is go up and go again,” Tullis
said. “You don’t want to get off the trail, that’s the last thing you want to do.
(It’s) designed to give you a great ride down the mountain.”

Timberline is working with Gravity Logic, a group formed by the team behind
the Whistler mountain bike park, on the project.

Project review
The USFS is reviewing the proposal, including field reviews and survey work
from specialists, such as wildlife, fisheries and heritage, to measure the area’s
potential impact.

“This is our opportunity to work with the design company, work with RLK and
to work with specialists and the public to make sure we’re putting forth the
best project and proposal we can,” said Christy Covington, Timberline Permit
Administrator at the Zigzag Ranger District.

Covington reported that the USFS should complete the analysis by the end of
the year, while a decision on the proposal is expected in early 2011. She
added that she has received several hundred comments on the project
already, many in support of the proposal.

Publication of the proposed action and preliminary analysis is expected by the
end of the year, followed by an official 30-day public comment period. A
decision notice is expected in late winter, followed by a 45-day appeal period.

Covington said RLK is paying for the USFS analysis.
If approved, Tullis reported that construction could begin in mid July, while he
could not commit to the park necessarily opening next year.

Some concerns
Lori Ann Burd, staff attorney for BARK, a grassroots organization working to
preserve the forests, waters and wildlife of the Mount Hood National Forest, is
eager to see the results from the USFS analysis.

While she noted the group does not have many specific comments at this
time, they have some general concerns about the project, including that the
proposed trails are close to the headwaters of Still Creek and the current
stress on the forest.

“There are so many impacts already from the multiple ski areas,” Burd said.
Despite the concerns, the group supports more trails and recreation, but notes
that some areas are more sensitive than others in terms of soil erosion, water
quality and a change in character.

“We recognize that there’s a need for mountain bike trails on Mount Hood,”
Burd said, who advocates for more funding for trails. “The Forest Service
hasn’t been keeping up with demand for trails in general.”

Covington noted the area would help solve the current problem of
unauthorized use of mountain bikes in the area.

“We would prefer to embrace it in a managed, appropriate area than to see
these things happening dispersed in the forest; and that is happening,” she
said, noting Timberline has existing infrastructure, including parking, the lift
and a land use designation for recreation to support the project.

Tullis noted that the bike terrain and skills park would be “completely out of
site and range” of Timberline Lodge, addressing one concern he’s
encountered.

He added that while some people fear the bike riders will be stereotypical
“adrenaline junkies,” the activity has grown into a family friendly sport for
people of all ages, just like skiing.

“Timberline’s terrain is very nicely suited for entry level, beginner and
intermediate trails,” said Tullis. “We think that will be conducive to wholesome
family activity.”

Friends of Timberline, an organization dedicated to preserving and
documenting the historic building, declined to comment.

For more information, visit fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/projects or
timberlinelodge.com/mountainbike.

Comments on the project can be submitted to comments-pacificnorthwest-
mthood-zigzag@fs.fed.us or mailed to: Christy Covington, Zig Zag Ranger

District, 70220 E. Highway 26, Zig Zag 97049.