Cedar Creek Tr457 and Fifteenmile Tr456

Fifteen Mile, Cedar Creek, Underhill Trails

Overall: 7

Aerobic: 7

Technical: 5

Steepness: 7

Flow: 6

Singletrack: 100%

The suggested Mount Hood Oregon Cedar Creek Trail and Fifteenmile Tr456 Loop route is a lollipop which starts at FR4421 (the lower TH). The lower section of Fifteenmile Tr456 has experienced damage in the past due to flooding, so be sure it is passable. It is easy to get lost in that area when overgrown. If the lower section is clear, then ascend Fifteenmile Tr456 then return on Cedar Cr Tr457 and Fifteenmile Tr456.

Type

Loop

Length

Avg: 16mi

Ascent

Moderate

Elevation Change

TH:2400'
Avg Ascent:3500'

Ascent Incline

8%

Duration

Avg: 3hr

Weather
Forecast

NOAA

popup

USFS

Trail
Review

View of Cedar Creek trail

Unlike many creekside rides, this loop involves some steep climbing/descent.

Cedar Creek has a steeper incline than Fifteenmile, so CCW is the better route, although that means finishing the ride with a Fifteenmile Tr456 grind if starting at the upper TH (the typical route).

For a more aerobic experience, Fifteenmile Tr456 can be combined with the Knebal Spgs Tr474 loop.

More reasonably, Fifteenmile Tr456 can also be combined with Eightmile Cr Tr459 and Lookout Mt Tr450 into a 17.6mi (3800' ascent) CCW loop, returning on Underhill Tr683 and FR44.

The CW alternative results in a longer, more gradual downhill, about a mile of hike-a-bike up Cedar Creek, then a slightly easier climb back to the TH.

The alternative shown in the guide below starts from FR44, with Underhill Tr683 helping to eliminate the inverted ride profile, creating a 14mi (4100' climb) lollipop loop.

This does include a 1mi, 16% grade from the Underhill/Fifteenmile intersection.

Note: The lower Fifteenmile Tr456 FR4421 THView of Fifteenmile Tr456 FR4421 TH
View of Fifteenmile Tr456 FR4421 TH
may be overgrown due to lack of use, but provides a better starting point than the upper (FR2730) TH.

From the FR4420 intersection, continue 6.1mi to FR4421. Go right onto FR4421 and go 5.1mi to a sharp curve. Park and find trail.

For camping, check out the Fifteenmile CG or the Eightmile Creek CG.

8+15 Epic

TH: From the Eightmile Crossing campground, switchback on Eightmile Cr Tr459 then cross FR4420 and go left at the fork, to remain on Eightmile Cr Tr459.

2.7mi: At the Bottle Prairie campground, cross FR44 and continue the moderate ascent on Lookout Mountain Tr450, alongside Eightmile Creek. Pass an access trail on the left at 4.5mi, then ride to the Eightmile Meadow intersection.

5.2mi: Go left onto Fifteenmile Tr456, cross FR4420 and reach the Eightmile Point ride summit at 5.5mi, then descend to Fifteenmile campground.

6.9mi: Ride through the Fifteenmile campground and descend Fifteenmile Tr456, passing the Cedar Creek Tr457 intersection on the right at 7.5mi. From 8.2mi, the trail parallels and crosses FR4750 several times, for 1.5mi, before breaking off to the right and descending Fifteenmile.

12.6mi: Go left onto Underhill Tr683 and hike-a-bike for .9mi alongside a creek, then descend to FR44.

15mi: Go left onto FR44 and ride to FR4430 and back to the Eightmile Crossing campground TH.

Directions: NW Forest Pass required right at the TH. Pass the Parkdale ranger station and continue south on SR35 to FR44, turn left and continue 9.4mi to FR4420 on the right. Upper TH: Turn right on FR4420 then go 3mi to FR2730, then turn left and go 1.3mi to the Fifteenmile CG. View Larger Map. No Map?.

View from the Fifteenmile Trail summit Fifteenmile Trail #456 Topo Map

Loop Directions

ridge to ravine

Fifteenmile Area Topo Map

  • From the upper TH: Descend from the campground on Fifteenmile Tr456, to the Cedar Creek Tr457 intersection, then go right and over the log bridge. Ride Cedar Creek Tr457 over undulating terrain to the gravel road.
  • 3.7mi: Cross the road. After a mile the trail becomes steep and loose, all the way to the lower Fifteenmile Tr456 intersection. View of Cedar Creek summit.
  • 5.2mi: Turn left at the T intersection and ascend Fifteenmile Tr456, with a moderately steep climb/hike-a-bike in the last 2 miles.

 

 

Trail Index

This Ride

Cedar Creek Trail 457, Fifteenmile Trail 456, Underhill Trail 683

Campgrounds

Bottle Prairie Campground, Eightmile Crossing Campground, Fifteenmile Campground, Knebal Springs Campground, Pebble Ford Campground

Trail Rankings

Ranking consistently applied to all of the listed trails.

  • Overall Rating: Ride quality and challenge
  • Aerobic: Ascent challenge
  • Technical Difficulty: Terrain challenge
  • Steepness: Average incline
  • Flow: Uninterrupted riding
  • Elevation Change: Total elevation gain
  • Ride Difficulty: Terrain challenge

 

 

 

Rideshare!

Forums can be used to organize rides, announce events (such as trail building), and comment publicly (or privately).

Comments marked private will only be seen by your friends (and the moderator).

The Terms of Use page lists the public posting guidelines. Please keep it clean.

To get trail info updated, please use the Comments page.