Utterly worthless.
Nancy noticed an article in the May 2005 issue of Mountain Bike magazine which described several trails in the Mt. St. Helens area. In particular, it lavished praise on the Lewis River Trail as the “smoothest, most pristine singletrack in America.”
We crossed the “Bridge of the Gods” at Cascade Locks into Washington and drove up Road 30 to Lewis River.
In 1853, George McClellan surveyed this area as a member of Isaac Stevens’ party and—scouting for the best location for a new railroad—proclaimed it “utterly worthless.” McClellan and Stevens would later serve as Union generals in the Civil War, with Stevens being killed in action in 1862.
Stevens’ son, Hazard, is the first recorded person to summit Mt. Rainier.
Upper Falls is about two and a half miles above the Lower Falls Campground.
We didn’t have the time or the legs to ride the entire 29 mile out-and-back, so we started at the Lower Falls Campground and rode upstream to see the waterfalls.
The trail hugs a steep ridge for this section—you could drop 50 feet into the river if you’re not paying attention.
This part of the trail reminded me of House of Flying Daggers
The Lewis River Trail is the smoothest trail I’ve ever ridden. There are no technical sections, although there are short, steep pitches, some tight switchbacks and a few small, rocky creeks to splash through.
It felt strange to be riding a trail smooth enough to be in a city park, yet in an area so remote that the access road is prone to washouts.
The trail leaves the river about two miles below Lower Falls.
The trail is similar to the lower part of the McKenzie River Trail, except it’s smoother, it has more up-and-downs, and it has normal bridges instead of the MRT’s single-log bridges.
It’s also extremely lush, with moss and mushrooms covering everything...including the road. The asphalt has a green tinge from moss growing on it.
The trail is very well maintained, except for this one little bridge.
We rode back downstream four miles below the Lower Falls campground and found a sunny spot to have lunch. The trail gets away from the river in this area and swoops up and down through all the little creeks and gullies that feed into the Lewis.
Lower Falls, right next to the campground.
By the time we got back the sun had dropped behind the ridge and it was getting chilly, so we decided to spend the night at the campground. It’s a beautiful area, with tons of trails and a large waterfall nearby. The campground is primitive, with no running water.
The bottom of the Lewis River Trail has overlooks of Curly Creek Falls and Miller Falls.
Although the Lewis River Trail is a popular ride (from what I’ve read), we didn't see a soul all day, on the trail or at the campground. It was an odd feeling to be on such a well-maintained trail with so little evidence of use.
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