Maggie's Trail #753

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Maggie's is a short connector trail that can provide quick access onto the Crosstown Trail or bring you from Crosstown Trail into town for some good beers, milkshakes or hot chocolate - depending on the riding weather! Part of the Government Camp Trail system, Maggie's allows those staying in Government Camp at Thunderhead Lodge, Collins Lake or other local lodging to quickly access the entire trail system.

Maggie's was named after our Zigzag Ranger District Recreation Department's office dog Maggie, owned by Bruce Haynes, who grew up in Government Camp and worked at Zigzag nearly 40 years. Maggie's Trail is adjacent to "Wally's Tie Trail". When Bruce was laying out Wally's Tie, he came upon a brass plaque on a very large rock that read: "Here lies Wally - the best damn dog that ever lived." which gave that trail its name. However, we all felt that Maggie was a damn good dog and gave her a trail. Bruce's Mom, Lucy Haynes, who was a Government Camp icon, lived on her own there till she died in 2008 at age 97. We named Lucy's Trail after her. She was a helluva mountain woman and loved to dance at the local bars (to Bruce's embarrassment at times) with their friends.

Most of the Government Camp Trail System is designed for experienced beginners and beyond, and I often see children and seniors riding the trails. The trail system stretches from Timberline Lodge above to Trillium Lake below. You can make a large 4-mile loop around the town on both sides of Hwy 26 (cross at the blinking yellow lights with caution!) or ride down to Trillium Lake for a refreshing swim. Most of the trail intersections are numbered and trailhead maps, trail brochures, and online trail maps will help map reading challenged folks to find their way around easily.

The Government Camp system trails connect to Pioneer Bridle Trail that takes you to the western edge of the Mt. Hood National Forest boundary in Rhododendron, completing the first phase of a Mt. Hood to Rose City (Portland) Trail Corridor. Stay tuned for more news on that in the coming years.