Swampy Lakes Tr23 to Swede Ridge Tr52

Swede Ridge Tr52 connects Swampy Lakes Tr23 to Tumalo Ridge Tr25.2 and to the Phils Tr42 trail system.

Due to an average 6000' elevation, the Swampy Lakes area is very popular for winter sports.

Awesome stuff, but many of the trails have multiple names, leading unwary bikers onto long, unintended doubletrack ventures.

As with all the other ride descriptions on this site, some attempt has been made to clearly define the mountainbike-related trails.

An 11.5mi (1500' ascent) CW Loop of Swampy-Dutchman Tr40 and Flagline Tr41 to Swede Ridge Tr52 and Swede Ridge Loop Tr8026 provides enough ride time to be a destination ride while still covering moderate terrain.

Note: Swede Ridge Loop Tr8026 is a XC Ski trail, largely consisting of doubletrack.

The Tumalo Tr25.2 page describes a northern 12.5mi (2000' ascent) CCW loop, which utilizes most of Swampy Lake Tr23 and Swede Ridge Tr52, combined with Tumalo Creek Tr25.1, Tumalo Ridge Tr25.2 and North Fork Tr24.2.

Because the Tumalo TH is the lowest elevation of that loop, it's best to ride that great loop from the Tumalo TH rather than from the Swampy Lakes Sno-Park TH
View of Swampy Lakes Sno-Park TH.

 

South of Swampy Lakes Tr23, Swampy Loop Tr23.2, Swede Ridge Tr52 and Swede Ridge Loop Tr8026 combine to create a very popular 8mi (1000' ascent) CCW loop, short and moderate enough for most intermediate riders but not long enough to be a destination ride.

The ride profile is inverted (the ride low is at the Swede Ridge Shelter intersection) but the terrain is moderate enough to not be a problem.

 

Swampy Lake Epic

Note: Flagline Tr41 is only open from Mid-Aug till it becomes snowed-in again, limiting the access to this ride.

TH: Start this 24mi (3900' ascent) ride ascending Swampy Lake Tr23 to Metolius-Windigo Tr99. Go onto the leftward trail at the end of the parking lot, then go right onto Swampy Lake Tr23 and bear left at the next fork to stay on the trail. Ascending the Swampy Loop Tr23.2 doubletrack would be another option. After navigating some loose trail conditions during the creek drainage ascent, pass Swede Ridge Loop Tr8026 on the right at .8mi, then descend to the Swampy Lake Tr23 intersection.

2mi: Just past the Flagline Tr41 intersection on the left, go around the Swampy Shelter, then go left onto South Fork Tr25 and descend through the switchbacks to to North Fork Tr24.2, then ascend to Metolius-Windigo Tr99.

9.7mi: Go left onto Metolius-Windigo Tr99 and complete the second big ascent of this ride, climbing out of North Fork Tumalo Creek drainage. Called Happy Valley, the happiness comes at 12.6mi, as the descent begins to Flagline Tr41.

15.1mi: Go left onto Flagline Tr41 and ascend 600' along the side of Tumalo Mountain, to the ride summit at 17.1mi. Descend to Flagline Tie Tr41.1.

20mi: Go right onto Flagline Tie Tr41.1, covering relatively flat terrain to Swampy-Dutchman Tr40/Ridge Loop Tr23.2 intersection.

21.1mi: Go left onto Ridge Loop Tr23.2 and descend to the TH.

 

Note: South Fork Tr25 is the trail which extends north from the Swampy Lakes shelter, past an intersection with the Bridge Creek Tr24 hiking trail. The maps have been revised to show that Bridge Creek Tr24 north and west of the intersection with South Fork Tr25 are for hiking and should not be ridden. Try looping North Fork Tr24.2 with Mrazek Tr32 and Farewell Tr26, or use Metolius-Windigo Tr99 to create a much larger loop, as described below.