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Trip

Mt. St. Helens & Mt. Adams Backcountry MTB

Bike

Trip Mt. St. Helens & Mt. Adams MTB
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Join the Trans Cascadia crew for a truly epic MTB adventure in the Mount St Helens and Mount Adams backcountry.

This 5-day guided mountain bike trip with our partners at Trans Cascadia Excursions is pure adventure. Experience one of the Cascades’ most remote regions for mountain biking: Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Ride some of the best trails in the Pacific Northwest. Swim, stand-up paddle, and fish in the region’s renowned lakes, and relax along the river with a cold beer in hand. With the nearest town being 1 hour from our campground, this pristine area offers a truly off the beaten path backcountry experience.

On the Mt St Helens side, enter an area left dormant for years, recently re-opened and full of endless backcountry single-track. Enjoy incredible views of Mt St Helens, Mt Adams and Mt Rainier as you ride through the other-wordly landscapes within the historic Mt. St Helens 1980 blast zone. On the Mt. Adams side offers equally big rides and is a major contender for best place to ride in the PNW, trust us.

Experience high alpine scenery on a couple of our rides, providing exceptional views of the surrounding area and a chance for us to put into perspective the region we are exploring. All that work to get up isn’t without reward, the descents here are huge.  All these trails lead down from ridge line to valley floor on what seems to be endlessly long single track runs.

Each day will end at camp, with our own Chef cooking us some of the best food we’ll eat all year.  Family style dinners, drinks and a bunch of games and toys to get in trouble with… there’s a lot to do back at camp post ride.  This adventure is a chance to escape from daily life, detach from the devices and spend some time in the woods with your friends.  It’s an incredible break and we invite you to come join us on this spectacular PNW adventure!


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Itinerary
Itinerary
  • 1
    Day number 1
    Arrive in Portland, at 7:00am to meet up with your Trans Cascadia guides and the rest of your riding group. Our shuttle will transport us towards Mount St Helens. On the way to the trails, we will go over the plan for the day and the week. On average, we’ll ascend approximately 3,500 feet with 5,000 feet of descent over the course of 20 miles per day. We have the ability to adjust rides depending on how the group is feeling. Get ready to ride when we arrive!
  • 2
    Day number 2
    Ride within the 1980 Mt St Helens Blast zone where you’ll still find remnants of the historic blast that blew 1,300’ off the top and absolutely desecrated the surrounding environment for decades. We’re lucky to be riding here, as there is limited access to this area and a short window to ride. Expect huge views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier as we explore this incredibly unique volcanic rainforest.
  • 3
    Day number 3
    The Mt Adams side of the forest has motorized access, so the dynamic of the trails changes. Slightly more rugged, you get more technicality from the exposed roots, natural berms and robust amount of organics churned up into the perfect mix of soil and plant matter… it’s the mountain biker’s powder day.
  • 4
    Day number 4
    It’s our last full day of riding, and your guides will pick and show you the goods again today, depending on group preferences. Soak in the high alpine views during your final stretch on these backcountry trails, then revel in our final evening at camp with this fun crew of newfound riding buddies.
  • 5
    Day number 5
    After an epic 4 days of riding on and in the shadows of the neighboring volcanoes we’ll load up the shuttle and head back to Portland, OR.
Trip Package Includes:
 
  • Professionally guided, 5-day mountain bike adventure
  • Shuttles and airport transportation
  • All meals (collaborative menu prepared by your personal chef)
  • Tent and sleeping pad
  • US Forest Service fees
  • Beer, cocktails, wine, Lacroix and other tasty beverages
  • Campfires, chairs and a whole bunch of camp games
  • Hot showers
  • 10% off bike rentals at evo stores
  • 20% discount code at evo.com (exclusions apply)
Trip Package Does Not Include:
 
  • Flights or transportation into Portland, OR (trip start location)
  • Any lodging before or after the trip 
  • Travel insurance (we recommend World Nomads)
  • Medical evacuation insurance (see FAQ)
  • Mountain bike
  • Flat repair kit

Questions? Call or email us!
Area Information

Mount Saint Helens & Mount Adams Backcountry

The Mt. St. Helens Backcountry, located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Southwest Washington, is one of the most remote regions in the Washington Cascade Mountain Range. You’ll be riding within the 1980 Mt. St. Helens Blast zone, where you’ll still find remnants of the historic blast that blew 1,300’ off the top and absolutely desecrated the surrounding environment for decades. When riding the newly maintained mountain bike trails near Mount Saint Helens, you’ll be reminded of the old as you pass by Spirit Lake, which still holds a massive amount of logs and debris from the eruption. 

Off the beaten path, and deep in the forest, this section of the Cascade Range that surrounds Mt. Adams is a hidden gem. The mountain biking near Mount Adams is something not many riders get to experience, this trip will bring you to the best of the best. Sections of our ride will be through beautiful wildflower meadows which should be in peak to late bloom during our July visit. Be sure to pack the camera because the views of Adams are spectacular!
Trip Planning

Trip Planning

For this five-day backcountry adventure, as we’ll be deep in the forests and mountains we recommend being prepared for the elements. The Mount Adams area typically sees highs of the lower 80’s and lows of mid 50’s in July. At times there is not much forest cover so be sure to wear sun protection. Rain also comes and goes so make sure you bring some rain gear as well!

Gear
Clothing
Other
FAQ
FAQ
  • Is the trip guaranteed to run?
    This trip has a minimum number of guests to run, please do not book travel or flights until Trans Cascadia has confirmed your departure.
  • When and how should I meet up with the group?
    We will depart from Portland, OR at 7am on July 21. Shuttle details will be communicated after booking.
  • What will the camping be like?
    Trans Cascadia Excursions will provide MSR tents + sleeping pads.
  • What will the food be like?
    Hearty and delicious. Collaborative menus will be prepared by your chef. All dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Each morning you’ll wake up to a hot or cold breakfast of your choice. Lunch and snacks are prepared for you to take on your ride each day. After a good day of riding the bike, we’ll sit down by the table to eat a well prepared meal with each other. The menu also includes beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages to quench your thirst. We want to get this right, so please let us know what you’d like to see so we can make it happen.
  • What skill / experience level is required for this trip?
    This trip is geared towards intermediate and advanced level riders, with trails rated blue square to black diamond. Riders should be comfortable riding a mix of ground conditions, soil, small rocks and roots, as well as varying steepness. On a given day we will ascend around 3,500’ and descend around 5,000’ over the course of approximately 20 miles (note: these are averages).
  • Do I need to purchase trip insurance? What about medical evacuation insurance?
    While neither is required, we strongly recommend purchasing both trip insurance and medical evacuation insurance. We partner with World Nomads for trip insurance. As for medical evacuation insurance, since we’re in remote places and you never know what can happen, we like to err on the side of safety. For the cost, we think it’s more than worth having. Trans Cascadia recommends Life Flight, for $65 annually, you're covered for a year in OR, ID and WA. Another good option is Global Rescue, we use both and it depends on where your travels will take you this year.
  • What gear should I bring? Do you offer rentals?
    Please see the packing list above. The best bike for this trip will be a full suspension XC bike. All participants are required to have their bikes in excellent working order before the trip begins. Rental bikes are not available through Trans Cascadia, please inquire with evo about possible rentals (you’ll get 10% off).
  • What is the maximum number of guests on this trip?
    Trans Cascadia will cap this trip at 12 guests to ensure everyone gets as much riding as their hearts desire.
  • Is there a minimum age required for this trip?
    No, but any minors must be accompanied by an adult on the trip.
  • Who builds and supports the remote trails we will ride on this trip?
    Trans-Cascadia Expeditions partners with Trans-Cascadia Incorporated a non-profit whose larger mission is to promote and build sustainable trails in the Pacific Northwest. Trails are supported by Trans-Cascadia, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Evergreen Mountain bike Alliance and more. If you are interested in trail stewardship in the Pacific NW please visit Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance or check out Trans Cascadia’s page for trail fund donation information or volunteer opportunities.
  • What if I need to cancel?
    Should you need to cancel for any reason, evo will default to Trans-Cascadia’s following cancellation policy: For cancellations prior to 60 days before departure, a $50 fee per person is retained and the remainder of your trip cost is refunded. For cancellations 60-31 days before departure, 50% of your trip fees are refunded. For cancellations 30 days or less before departure, no refunds. Trans-Cascadia must adhere to their cancellation policy, no exceptions. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your investment, we recommend World Nomads. Trans-Cascadia Excursions reserves the right to cancel any trip. Full refunds will be made in these instances. Trans-Cascadia Excursions is not responsible for non-refundable airfare.
Testimonials
I don’t think I’ve ever posted a company review in my life but Trans Cascadia Excursions is deserving of all 5 stars. Nick and Jessi made our trip to Oakridge a fantastic 72 hours of riding. Not only did they provide top notch shuttles, but gave great trail recommendations, camping suggestions, and were super friendly and fun. I most definitely plan to return to Oakridge and recommend these guys to anyone looking for a guaranteed good time!
Michael B
Trip Guest
In summary - the best mountain biking excursion trip I have been on. Having hosted an annual mtn bike weekend for a school event of up to 50 pp., I understand the complexity and hard work in pulling this off (camping, shuttles, guiding, cooking, setup, cleanup, entertainment...). It is not easy and the Trans Cascadia team nailed it.
Mike B
Trip Guest
We had a blast with Trans Cascadia! Super knowledgeable and friendly staff. They went above and beyond what we asked for and couldn’t have been nicer about it. We will be back for sure!
David A
Trip Guest

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