Itinerary

Elevation Range: 2,000 – 3,000 ft.

Day 1: Siouxon Trail / Huffman Peak Loop

Departing from Portland, we shuttle a few hours to reach Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Our first ride brings us to the lower elevation Siouxon area. We’ll ride this area’s namesake trail for a scenic 9-mile, point-to-point endeavor. The trail follows along the Siouxon Creek, renowned for its deep, clear pools and impressive waterfalls. Most of the way the trail is shaded by a think canopy of trees. We pass 6 waterfalls including Horseshoe falls. We’ll have a delicious lunch at the trailhead before shuttling to our camp for the night.
For those of you wanting more amazing singletrack we can continue on and complete the Huffman Peak Loop.
Total Moderate Mileage | 9 miles Elevation Gain 2,629 feet
Total challenging Mileage | 20 miles Elevation Gain 4411 feet
Terrain | 100% Singletrack, Some Van Support Camp | Lower Falls area

Day 2: Lewis River Trail

Our day starts with a delicious camp breakfast, complete with steaming hot coffee or tea and the anticipation of a great ride. We are wowed right from the start on the ride as we pass two scenic waterfalls in short succession. The riding in the first 4 miles is relatively flat, through maple, cedar, and even Douglas firs trees, making for a laid back, shady cruise through the forest. The second half the rides brings us back to more exposed, challenging riding as we navigate the rolling terrain with steep side slopes for 6 miles or so. Your experienced trip leaders will decide whether to ride this trail as an out and back or as a shuttled ride, but don’t worry you’re in good hands. Tonight, sink into your camp chair and get ready for another delicious dinner!
Total Moderate Mileage | 14 miles Elevation Gain 1,357 feet
Total challenging Mileage | 28 miles Elevation Gain 2,714 feet
Terrain | 100% Singletrack, Some Van Support Camp | Lower Falls area

Day 3: McClellan Meadows & Falls Creek Trail

This morning, a short shuttle takes us to the McClellan Meadows. Better known for winter time recreation, this cross country ski area also offers a wealth of interconnecting trails in great condition for mountain biking! We’ll probably have much of the place to ourselves as we weave in and out of tight wooded singletrack, criss-cross cool wooden bridges, and play follow the leader on the many available trails.
Total Moderate Mileage | 13 miles | Elevation Gain | 1,617 ft
Total Seasoned Mileage | 16 miles | Elevation Gain | 1,191 ft
Terrain | 90% Singletrack, No Van Support. Camp | Lower Falls area

Day 4: Craggy Peak Trail

A short shuttle brings us over to the Craggy Peak Trail where we complete a 10.5 mile out-and-back ride. We start off with a gentle climb through a tree plantation, then continue along a slightly inclined ridge under a deep canopy of evergreens. Keep your eye out for glimpses of Mount Rainier and Shark Rock through the forest. We’ll also catch sight of Blue Lake, which lies below us 400ft. There’s a good chance we’ll see elk or deer, they tend to congregate at Pass Basin pond. At the intersection with the Boundary Trail we’ll turn around and head back towards the trailhead. Spend the afternoon relaxing at camp, or if you just can’t get enough, explore some of the trails near camp.
Total Moderate Mileage | 14 miles | Elevation Gain | 2100 ft
Terrain | Singletrack Camp | Lower Falls area

Day 5: Ape Canyon trail to Plains of Abraham

Today we shuttle to the famous Ape Canyon trail. En route we’ll stop to check out some of the area’s most remarkable features; the looming Eagle Cliffs, and Swift Reservoir. When it was constructed in 1958, the dam that created the reservoir was one of the largest earthen dams in the world. This ride features incredible views and some tricky riding as we ride right through the blast zone. A steady climb follows the lava flow as the trail steepens. We follow the ridge through a thick forest, and then out onto the open, somewhat barren landscape. There are magnificent views Mount Adams off to the side, and in season wildflowers punctuate the ridge’s brown slopes. For those that are ready to turn back you can do so at the intersection of Loowit #216 and Ape Canyon. The trail will test your climbing skills, but in your lowest gear you just might make it. When we reach the trail’s summit, we are rewarded with quite a sight: a waterfall cascading out from a sheer rock crevasse at the top of Ape Canyon.
Total Moderate Mileage | 10 miles | Elevation Gain | 2015 ft
Total Challenging Mileage | 16 miles | Elevation Gain 2315 ft
Camp | Ape Canyon area Terrain | 80% Singletrack, Some Van Support

Day 6 : Ape Canyon Trail

We’ll spend the morning packing up our camp and saying goodbye to the beautiful Lower Falls area. But don’t worry, another incredible adventure awaits us. After a delectable breakfast, we shuttle over to the spectacular Ape Cave, the third longest lave tube in North America. Ape Cave was created approximately 2000 years ago, during a rare period in the history of Mt. St. Helens. The cave wasn’t discovered until 1947, when a logger named Lawrence Johnson stumbled upon it. Following it’s discovery, the cave was not explored until the early 1950’s when a scout troop, led by Harry Reese, lowered a team of scouts down a 17-foot overhang to the cave floor. Leaving footprints where no one ever had, these explorers were able to travel through a pristine lava tube full of fragile formations. We will spend the day exploring this unique force of nature.
Total Hike Mileage | 4 Miles

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Mount St. Helens

Weather
You will be riding and sleeping at elevations over 4,000 ft. for this trip. Weather predictions in this area are often unreliable due to the elevation, so it is best to be prepared for cold evenings and inclement weather. Please use the following locations when checking the weather online: Cougar, WA

We choose well-maintained public campgrounds with scenic vistas and comfortable arrangements. You’ll move seamlessly from one day of your trip to the next, camping outdoors and enjoying wildly healthy, delicious homemade meals. The majority of our selected campgrounds feature indoor facilities and showers. Conversely, in more remote backcountry camping scenarios, we’ll provide portable toilets and private solar showers.

Trip Amenities:
First-class campers will enjoy well- maintained public campgrounds. Cell service for this tour is spotty. Verizon is the best service to have for this area.

Camp gear package rental: includes a tent, sleeping pad, raised cot, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, full size pillow, and ground tarp. $ 108.-

Included:

• 5 Nights of camping
• Meals (except where noted on itineraries), snacks, non-alcoholic beverages
• Community gear (portable chairs, large awnings, coolers, utensils, etc.)
• Backcountry permits, licenses, park fees, reservations, and accommodations (lodging)
• At least two professionally trained trip leaders, a mobile first aid and mechanic station, spare bikes, and a support vehicle(s).

Not included:

• Airfare to and from our departure point,
• Lodging before or after the tour,
• Personal camping gear, possible to rent $108.-
• Rental bike,
• Gratuity to guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2025: $ 1623.- pp
Camp gear package rental: includes a tent, sleeping pad, raised cot, sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, full size pillow, and ground tarp. $ 108.-
Rental bike:
Specialized Full Suspension Mountain Bike $ 456.00
Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Full Suspension $ 552.000
Tour dates 2025:
20 Jul – 25 Jul
10 Aug – 15 Aug
07 Sep – 12 Sep

Conditions

Deposit $500.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218
(503) 460-4234
https://www.flypdx.com/

Meeting and Departure information
Courtyard Portland Airport
11550 NE Airport Way Portland, Oregon 97220
Phone: 503-252-3200
https://www.marriott.com/

DEPARTURE TIME
8:00 AM on the first day of the tour.
RETURN TIME
Around 5:00 PM on the last day of the tour.

Portland, Oregon’s largest city, sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. It’s known for its parks, bridges and bicycle paths, as well as for its eco-friendliness and its microbreweries and coffeehouses. Iconic Washington Park encompasses sites from the formal Japanese Garden to Oregon Zoo and its railway. The city hosts thriving art, theater and music scenes.

Our food isn’t just good, it’s good for you.
Food is a big part of the experience. Our guides prepare all of your meals on our camping trips. Expect three delicious meals a day consisting entirely of freshly prepared foods. These include fresh organic fruits and vegetables as well as meats. We also have energy snacks aboard our support vehicles. Don’t be surprised if your guides purchase fresh fruits and healthy snacks throughout the day while you are out riding. They may just show up on the trail with a local treat! Many of our guests are vegans or vegetarians, whom we are more than happy to accommodate. If you have special diet requirements or limitations, just let us know when you sign-up and we’ll work with you to meet your needs.