South Willamette Trail

The South Willamette trail is part of a very popular trail system located on the south side of Lookout Point Reservoir. This cluster of trails includes South Willamette, Goodman Creek, Hardesty Mountain, and Eula Ridge. This area offers some excellent riding opportunities ranging from moderate to very difficult.

Of the trails within this area, the South Willamette Trail is perhaps the easiest to ride. That's not to say this is an easy ride. It has some steep sections that even the most experienced rider may have to walk. But, as the hard-cores say, "If you're not hiking, you're not mountain biking".

This ride is best ridden west to east. Not because there is less uphill riding in this direction, but because the parking is much better on the west end.

The trailhead is located near milepost 21,on Highway 58. A large Forest Service fire sign marks the trailhead. The first section the trail is smooth with an occasional root crossing the trail. After a short uphill climb, the Goodman Creek Trail begins; go straight.

At 0.5 mile the trail on the left marks the beginning of the South Willamette Trail. The trail on the right leads to Hardesty Mountain. A recent clear-cut interrupts the beginning of the South Willamette Trail. To find the trail stay on the uphill side of the clear-cut and follow the red spray-paint marks on the trees. Once back on the trail, you travel through overgrown thickets, moss covered blow down, lush stream beds and a few steep climbs and descents. Logging activity encircles this trail, so be prepared for changes in the local surroundings. Occassionally the trail crosses both maintained and abondoned logging roads.

The trail ends on Highway 58 at the Eula Ridge trailhead. From here you can turn around and ride the trail back or ride the 3.8 miles of highway back to your car. Be careful. Highway 58 is no fun to ride because of traffic.

Keith Nelson