The Old Salmon River Trail follows the pristine Salmon River for several miles through an extremely lush canyon that exhibits many qualities of a Pacific Northwest rain forest...moss coverings everywhere, ferns, heavy undergrowth, Cedar thickets and massive old growth. This trail offers quite a contrast from other trails in the MHNF just a few miles to the east where the lower annual rainfall total yields vegetation of a different variety.

Old growth Cedar. Wyatt gives some perspective on the sheer mass of this amazing, ancient tree that I would estimate to be over 500 years old.

There are many riverside campsites among the large evergreens, some on an island that are accessible only by the trail. If being lulled to slumber by the sound of a mountain stream is your thing, this trail provides the symphony.

Riverside camping possibilities are numerous.

There are smooth single track portions for that need for speed and rocky creek bed crossings that will challenge your line selection skills. There are many turnouts to access the riverbank for a photographic or meditative moment or both. Picnic tables at one point offer a fine picnic spot.

Fall is on along the Salmon.

Trail Description

A Pacific Northwest Rainforest.

This shared-use single track trail takes riders from 50-60 feet above the river down to river level and back a few times over the 2.6 mile stretch where bikes are allowed. Since it runs between Welches Road and the Salmon River, there are a couple stretches where trail users have to share with autos due to a narrow gap between road and stream. Fortunately, the road is not that busy and car noise is rare. During the busier summer weekends, show courtesy to other users as a good biker should.

There is a trailhead at each end of the 2.6 miles and about four access points each with parking along the way.

Getting There and Red Tape

Take US 26 east from the town of Gresham, OR and proceed through the town of Sandy. Proceed through the stop light in the town of Welches about 1/2 mile and turn right on East Salmon River Road at the Subway Sandwich shop. Continue 3 miles to the first trailhead or any one of the trailheads along the 2.6 mile route. East Salmon River Road will become Welches Road after about 1 mile.

Northwest Forest Passes are needed for parking June 1 to October 31 and are available in daily $5.00 or seasonal $30.00 increments.

When to Bike

This can be a year round trail but is best as a June through October ride. Really, any time of year when the weather has gone through a drier spell, this trail is a nice ride. It is quite slimy around the rooty sections and some of the small intersecting creeks without a bridge actually have water to ford during the rainy season. Avoid riding during muddy times so that erosion isn't a problem for water quality of the creeks and the river.

One of several bridges to help users get over the many draws with smalls creeks.