lbear

I haven't been on the BV trail since last year. I was wondering if after the flooding last winter what kind of shape its in, I was thinking of going Monday. I know that Vernonia is a small town and $$ to fix the trail might be hard to find. Friends of mine are still trying to repair their homes.
(Banks-Vernonis is a rail to trail SW of Portland Or.)

Andy_K 

The non-paved section between Manning and Buxton was closed earlier in the year. I haven't been past the paved section north of Buxton, so I can't report on conditions up there. Actually, I guess I don't have anything concrete to offer.

lbear

Andy do you know if the paved section starting in Vernonia is open?

Andy_K 

I don't know, but I would guess that it is. The paved sections toward Banks were in really good shape even early in the spring. Of course, I don't know how much worse things were in Vernonia to start with.

lbear

Thanks...
I'll let you know after Monday.

Andy_K 

So, did you go? How was the trail?

lbear

Yea I did go monday. The path was in good shape the weather was perfect. There were only two areas with damage. One was a 15 foot gravel patch the other was a spot about 5 miles from Vernonia where the path had formed a 20 foot sink hole. A small stream had washed away at the side of the trail until the path fell in. They moved the asphalt around the hole. End up with a 17 mile ride on a beautiful day, what more could you want?

luigic81

how is the Banks;Vernonia trail, is it a real trail of mostly road?

lbear

The Banks-Vernonia trail is a rail to trail MUP. Starting at the lake in Vernonia it goes about 8 miles of flat pavement. The trail passes through forest, over bridges and open grassland. At about the 8th mile the pavement stops its a gravel trail for something like 3 miles.(I have not been on that part) Then the pavement starts again for another 3 miles. It a MUP but some days no one else is on it. If you have a Mt bike or cross I think you can go 21 miles. Its a nice up and back ride when you do not want to deal with cars. Day use fee at the lake is $4.00. Water restrooms and picnic tables are at the lake.
https://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_145.php

KRhea

The entire trail, all 21miles, can easily be ridden with a road bike. Neither a mountain bike nor cross bike is needed. They might add a bit of "cush" to your ride but a standard road bike does the job just fine. We lived just off the trail, in Banks, for the past 15yrs and road the trail 100s of times on our road bikes as well as pulling our youngest behind us in a Burley trailer using 23mm tires on one of my road bikes.
Even though you have to deal with a few miles of gravel all you do is ride in the smooth "tire grooves" set by the vehicle traffic and you're good to go.

lbear

Cool I'll give it a try next time. thanks
Its a great family outing.

luigic81

I was looking for some easy dirt trails around here, would Powell Butte be my best bet?