Morrison Creek: Snipes Mountain Tr11 to Cold Springs Tr72

Several good loop options are created by these trails and small section of spur roads.

One loop option is 39 Trail, Crofton Butte Tr73 and Gotchen Cr Tr40.

Buck Creek Tr54 is also worth checking out, although it is a bit short for a destination ride and not to be confused with Buck Creek (DNR).

Buck Creek Tr54 is a moderate trail which parallels the White Salmon River.

The trail runs high above the river gorge, through rocky terrain and dense forest, with an undulating grade and three stream crossings.

Pine-Way Tr71 is less useful, as it crosses a cattle range and is a stock driveway which turns into a cow trail through rocky terrain, second-growth forests and open meadows.

From the upper TH, lightly used Gotchen Creek Tr40 passes through harvested forests and crosses Hole-in-the-Ground Creek, then climbs McDonald Ridge.

Near the Aiken lava bed, Cold Springs Tr72 and Snipes Mt Tr11 ascend through lava flows and young forests.

 

Hiking: Snipes Mountain Tr11 is closed to biking beyond the Pine-Way Tr71 intersection. The suggested CCW loop is Snipes Mountain Tr11 to Round-The-Mountain Tr9, then ride a small portion of Mt Adams South Climb Route Tr183 to Cold Springs Tr72 and return to the TH on Gotchen Creek Tr40.

TH: From the lower Gotchen Cr Tr40 TH, continue on FR8020 to FR150, then go left and go .7mi to Snipes Mt Tr11, then start ascending alongside the A.G. Aiken lava flow.

3.4mi: Pass the Pine-Way Tr71 intersection. The trail breaks away from the lava flow at 3.9mi, continuing to climb alongside the Gotchen Creek.

5.8mi: Go left on Round-The-Mt Tr9, at the edge of the wilderness area, reaching the loop summit at 6.4mi.

7.7mi: Go left on Mt Adams South Climb Route Tr183 and begin steep downhill to the South Climb TH.

9.1mi: Go through the Cold Springs campground and continue the descent, alongside the north side of the Aiken lava flow..

12.5mi: Reach Gotchen Cr Tr40 and go left to return to the TH.