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Browns Camp Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.2 (59)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Oregon Coast
  4. Tillamook State Forest
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“A 7.5-mile loop that travels over some of the area's finest trails. ”

Eric Ashley
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Map Key

7.4

Miles

11.9

KM

95%

Singletrack

1,917' 584 m

High

1,344' 410 m

Low

998' 304 m

Up

1,007' 307 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

26%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

The Browns Camp Loop is a beautiful ride traveling through the rolling terrain and vibrant woodlands of the Tillamook State Forest. There are plenty of roots spread throughout, but significant tech is at a minimum. The constant ups-and-downs along narrow, twisting singletrack make this a loop that will test your fitness. Be ready to work for your fun and you'll have a great time.

If you'd like to make a longer loop, the Storey Burn Trail, Sickter Lars Trail, bottom of Gales Creek Trail, and Gales Creek Trail - Gales Creek TH to Summit TH can be added to this route for a total of 15 miles of pedaling.

Need to Know

The trails in Tillamook State Forest can stay wet and soft in the spring and after heavy rains. Be a good trail steward, and only ride when the trails are dry.

This ride has been called "Browns Camp Loop" for years but the signs and maps for the area all call it the inspiring "Historic Hiking Loop". Remember this when navigating the area for the first few times.

Description

Begin at the Rogers Camp Trailhead, and head south onto Nels Rogers Trail. As is typical for the area, the trail gets right to the point with a lung-busting, leg-killing climb. Fortunately, the steeps disappear soon after crossing Firebreak One Road.

The next section of trail is rewardingly level as it leads through a charming forest. The grade steepens again before another road crossing, which is followed by a fast-and-steep descent into the clearcut. The grade once again mellows at the edge of the trees as the trail winds down to a creek. Keep left here. Ahead, the forest takes on an especially spooky quality before the trail ends at Beaver Dam Road across from the Wilson River Wagon Road Trail.

With a new trail comes a new climb. Wilson River Wagon Road Trail isn't as punchy, but the climbing continues through dense trees for over a mile. A thinned grove of trees marks the top of the climb, and then it's time to race down the other side (which includes two more road crossings). Expect some modest climbs to add variety to the singletrack. The last segment of this trail parallels, and then eventually pops onto, University Falls Road across from the Gravelle Brothers Trail.

Past the parking area, the Gravelle Brothers Trail begins with a steep, sometimes-slippery descent. Make sure to take the very short spur to the actual University Falls!

From there, the trail alternates between short climbs and descents as riders gradually lose elevation through a picturesque forest of moss, ferns, and alders.

Keep right at the Storey Burn Trail intersection, and begin a gradual climb. The trail briefly turns to very old doubletrack before ending at the Elliott Creek OHV Trail just before an ODOT gravel station. This segment of the Elliott Creek OHV Trail is obvious, as it runs behind concrete barriers. Turn right and then left to connect to Saddle Mountain Road and follow it back to the parking area.

History & Background

The Wilson River Wagon Road Trail, which makes up a large portion of the ride, follows a portion of a historic toll road which was opened in 1893. Stagecoaches and oxen carts used it as the main route between the towns of Forest Grove and Tillamook.

On the upper reaches of the Gravelle Brothers Trail, some charred stumps can be seen. These are from the Tillamook Burn, which ravaged what we now know as Tillamook State Forest in the earlier half of the 20th century. Persistent reforestation efforts created much of the forest we now love west of the Portland Metro Area.

For more information, click here.

Contacts

Land Manager: Oregon Department of Forestry

Shared By:

Eric Ashley
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 59 votes

#1

in Tillamook State Forest

#291

Overall
  4.2 from 59 votes
5 Star
37%
4 Star
51%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Tillamook State Forest

#7

in Oregon

#291

Overall
50 Views Last Month
26,625 Since Nov 9, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

University Falls
Aug 10, 2016 near Banks, OR
Nice, somewhat spooky forest.
Oct 14, 2015 near Banks, OR
Climbing up to the connecting trail back to the parking lot, instead of going up Storey Burn Trail.
Oct 14, 2015 near Banks, OR
This area was described to me as a "fairy forest" by a coworker. Did not disappoint.
Oct 14, 2015 near Banks, OR
Ferns!
Sep 22, 2015 near Banks, OR
Nice view after the brutal introductory climb.
Sep 8, 2017 near Banks, OR

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Check-Ins

Sep 1, 2023
Lisa Munsch
to do
Jul 27, 2022
Mason W
Jul 2, 2022
Mike Redacted
Sep 5, 2021
Mike Redacted
Sep 5, 2021
Mikhail Bondarew
Jul 11, 2021
Mike Redacted
May 30, 2021
Adam Sims
Apr 13, 2021
Tim Hanson
Soft spots throughout, mud near streams.

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