*From Interstate 205, get onto Highway 84 Eastbound toward Hood River.
*Stay on Highway 84 Eastbound for appx 55 miles. 
*At Hood River, Take Exit 64 (White Salmon/Hwy 14) and make an immediate left turn back under the   freeway heading North to the Hood River Toll Bridge that crosses the Columbia River back into Washington.
*Cross toll bridge (75 cents) into Washington and take a right onto Hwy 14 toward White Salmon/Bingen.
*Follow Hwy 14 through downtown Bingen.  Travel past the end of town along Hwy 14 for appx. 2 miles. 
*Keep your eyes peeled for Courtney Road on your Left.  Turn left on Courtney Road and there is a parking lot immediately on your left.  Usually a lot of cars parked there.  Park there.

Where's the trailhead?  See the rock cliffs just above the little lake along Hwy 14 adjacent to the parking - go through the gate onto the old paved highway across from the parking lot and follow it up the hill, around the curve and see the trailhead on your left.   You could also go up the trailhead that is just inside the gate on your left - just passed the old cattle shute (not as easy of a climb though).  There are a lot of trails up there to explore.  Should bring a map or friend who has been there.  Have fun!

The climate just east of Hood River is great.  You are getting into semi-arid areas with more of a grass plains look & some pine.  Not quite desert - but more arid than west of the Cascades.  This makes for more of a dry ride than what we are used to in the Williamette Valley/West of the Cascades.  So, if you are willing to drive just over an hour & it's dumping on the West side - this is a good ride.

Pictures below are the best description.  Starts out on grassy semi-arid plains on steep slopes with hard packed - but with some loose rocky debris topsoil.  Also, you can find some volcanic rock cliffs & bluffs to switchback up - for those who are up for more of a technical challenge.  Please stay on the trails - as there are very delicate areas that do not recover well in the area off the trail.  Locals are very protective of the land there and you do not want to risk closure or damage while its raining alot.  The climb up is somewhat strenuous & the loop we did had about 5.5 miles of continuous climb.  Follow the dirt road up & make it easier - or take the rocky switchbacks up to grind yourself & test your balance.

We rate this ride Intermediate to Advanced because of the immediate (no warm-up) climbing (appx 2100') and the technical rocky sections both on the switchbacks up and on the sometimes tight, twisty single track on the way down - which also has some very rocky, tooth grinding & derailleur eating areas.

As you get up on top - you'll find more old orchard trees & then up higher, basalt bluffs with pine trees up high.  Right before you get to the top - there is a house.  Please do not disturb or trespass near the house.  Also on top are a couple ranches with gates for bikes & hikers to pass through.  Be courteous and close the gate behind you.  They have been extremely generous to let us through their land.  Don't disturb the cows!  Pretty wildflowers off the side of the trial are fragile as well & you'll see some poison oak - so be careful.   If you travel westward (as you are making a loop) & up on top, the trail follows very steep cliffs where the trail is one foot wide and if you fall the wrong way - you could be injured or die.  So, carry your bike & know your limits.  Don't ride alone.  We are warning you right now that it is dangerous on certain sections.

Coming back down, cruise through open pastures, through tight skinny trees and through challenging rocky fields on narrow singletrack.  Near the bottom the climate goes back to normal low-land moist hardwood foresty areas and finally ends at the parking lot next to the old cattle shute.  We rode the 11 mile loop that traveled up the old paved highway east, then north up the dirt fire road to the old orchards then westward & north up along the basalt cliffs and finally back south to the parking lot.  This took us 2:20 total time with 1:40 actual computer ride time.  Bring a light jacket even in spring, snacks and plenty of water - as it gets cold on top when the wind blows through the gorge.