MTB Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Buxton to Stub Stewart MTB Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.2 (33)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Portland Metro and Mt. Hood
  4. …Buxton
  5. L. L. Stub Stewart State Park
Explore MTB in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“Starting at Buxton Trailhead, ride up the Banks-Vernonia to the Stub Stewart MTB trails. ”

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

11.4

Miles

18.3

KM

60%

Singletrack

1,225' 373 m

High

449' 137 m

Low

1,181' 360 m

Up

1,188' 362 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Parking at the Buxton Trailhead has no day-use fee and saves several miles of driving to Stub Stewart State Park. Get a good warmup going up the Banks-Vernonia paved trail, then enjoy some hand-build singletrack. When you get to the end, turn around and enjoy.

Need to Know

This direction starts at the lower end of the MTB and ends at the Upper end. Lots of climbing in this direction and most people prefer to ride it only in the opposite direction.

Description

Buxton trailhead is a little bit hidden, but offers a sizable gravel parking lot, vault toilet, and covered pavilion. Ride uphill (do not cross the trestle bridge) on paved BV trail for 2.2 miles. To the right is a wide dirt path that leads down to Fellings Wedge. Take a left and you'll find the bridge that crosses to the MTB-only trail.

Trail starts with a tough climb with lots of switchbacks and turns, eventually you reach the top where the forest opens up and the trail becomes more flat and flowly. There are a couple of stream crossings that are not rideable, foot crossing only.

Climb above the stream and you'll eventually find the first intersection of the trail - The Visitor Center Loop. Keep left at all intersections and you'll arrive at the end of the MTB-only trail with a fence and kiosk. Turn around and ride back out for some very fun descending.

History & Background

Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a historical logging railway that is now a recreation trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Northwest Trail Alliance

Jan 16, 2025: Portland’s Next Generation of Trail Workers Take on Holman Lane

Jan 15, 2025: Volunteers Rally to Restore Hagg Lake’s Washed-Out Trail

Jan 14, 2025: Trail Sisters Gear Up: Highlights from the First Bike Maintenance Clinic of the Year

Land Manager: Oregon State Parks

Shared By:

Robert Clark
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 33 votes

#1

in L. L. Stub Stewart State Park

#601

Overall
  4.2 from 33 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
52%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in L. L. Stub Stewart Sta…

#22

in Oregon

#601

Overall
46 Views Last Month
31,238 Since Nov 10, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
43%
0%
53%
3%
Add a Photo

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
The climb towards Stub Stewart State Park is always beautiful.
Aug 19, 2016 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
Looking down at the bridge which marks the beginning of Stub Stewart's MTB-only area.
Mar 23, 2016 near Vernonia, OR

6 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 18, 2023
Drew Obston
Sep 3, 2022
CALVIN KARSCH
Jun 25, 2022
Dan Langlie
Oct 9, 2020
Whitewater Rider
Sep 30, 2020
Whitewater Rider
Aug 29, 2020
Rigved Epur
Aug 12, 2020
Ever Cruz
May 15, 2020
Konstantin Othmer
mtn bike trails closed...paved parts open 16mi

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started