MTB Project Logo

Stub Stewart loop without relying on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

6.6

Miles

10.6

KM

95%

Singletrack

1,245' 380 m

High

665' 203 m

Low

926' 282 m

Up

935' 285 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Most riders will likely utilize the free parking at the Buxton Trailhead on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail and use that as an access point to the riding in Stub Stewart State Park. However, sometimes a camping trip or another activity within the park may allow for more direct riding. This route utilizes the Hares Canyon Trail and Shoofly to create an awesome loop.

Need to Know

Day-use parking is $5. To skip the fee, park at the Buxton Trailhead on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail and utilize the Buxton to Stub Stewart MTB trail route for info.

Description

This route begins and ends on Widowmaker Way, a doubletrack trail leading to Hares Canyon Trail. At the junction, keep straight and continue climbing briefly until the disc golf course. Bullbucker/Hooktender branches off to the left; take that. This will provide fun singletrack alternatives to the doubletrack drawl of Hares Canyon Trail. It turns into Crosstie, and eventually dumps out to the MTB-only access point. It's hard to miss, with an information kiosk, skill check entrance and open space.

Once through the skill check, follow the trail to the left to ride some fast and fun singletrack through a grove of hemlocks and cedars. The trail follows North Caddywhomper Way closely, merges briefly, and then shoots off into the forest again. Winding around through the trees, the singletrack almost doubles back on itself before it eventually settles out at a a crossroads of trails. Heading uphill will allow access for the freeride section of the MTB-only area (these trails are to the east of North Caddywhomper Way.) Uphill also returns to the beginning of the MTB-only area. Heading downhill begins a series of tight switchbacks, across the bridge at Genzer Creek, then back up the hill on the other side.

Hug the narrow benchcut trail until it mellows out in a lovely Douglas fir grove. The riding is fun and flowing, eventually starting a long and winding descent down switchbacks to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.

Turn right on the paved path, and you'll only have to climb briefly before finding the southern terminus of Hares Canyon Trail. Start climbing back up Hares Canyon Trail until reaching Widowmaker Way again, and use it to return to the Visiting Center Parking Lot.

History & Background

Named after Loral L. "Stub" Stewart, a long time figure in Oregon's Parks and Recreations Department, Stub Stewart State Park was opened in 2007 after several land purchases created a cohesive park parcel. The park hosts a mountain bike only area of trails, with purpose-built singletrack for both cross country and freeride riding disciplines. This makes it some of the closest trails of its kind to the Portland area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brock Warner

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 16 votes

#1797

Overall
  4.0 from 16 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
13%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#58

in Oregon

#1,797

Overall
14 Views Last Month
9,392 Since Sep 17, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
73%
20%
7%
0%

Photos

NW Trail Alliance ride group posing on the newly completed "Link'n'Pin" bridge on Shoofly over Genzer Creek
Oct 7, 2017 near Vernonia, OR
Brand new Link'n'Pin bridge over Genzer Creek on Shoofly - Completed by NW Trail Alliance volunteers May 2017
Oct 7, 2017 near Vernonia, OR
Really great flow in the Douglas fir!
Aug 5, 2015 near Vernonia, OR
Simple but fun and flowing Shoofly Trail through western hemlock.
Aug 5, 2015 near Vernonia, OR
New connector trail construction at Stubfest 2014!
May 15, 2016 near Vernonia, OR
Looking down at the bridge which marks the beginning of Stub Stewart's MTB-only area.
Mar 23, 2016 near Vernonia, OR
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.