Uncharted is a challenge series from Territory Run Co for the Greater Portland area that aims to get you out exploring new areas with pre-planned routes. While each area we highlight may not be new to you, we hope it inspires you to explore some lesser known areas.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Complete one of the listed routes below.

2. Log your run here. Once reviewed, you will receive an email with a merit badge. If you complete between the dates of November 1st - November 30th, this badge of completion awards you $10 in store credit for any Territory products.

3. For each challenge we will also offer a grand prize package. To be entered to win, complete the route between above dates, log it here, and tag us in a photo from your run on instagram.

4. To increase chances of winning grand prize you can also log that you visited post run locations listed below.

We will have Uncharted routes throughout the year and you will be able to collect merit badges from each. 

You can join the Uncharted Strava Group here.

MOLALLA RIVER BACKGROUND

Well, it's safe to say, the long, warm days of summer are past. What I love about Oregon trail running is our year-round access to phenomenal trails. As sad as I am to say farewell to the alpine trails until next June, I rejoice in the opportunity to explore the abundant lower elevation trails.

Moving into November I knew I wanted this months route to feature some fall foliage. I considered the usual suspects: the Saltzman area of Forest Park, Silver Falls State Park and the Tillamook Forest. As enticed as I was to return to these old familiar favorites, I was equally intrigued by the siren's call of a trail system I had not yet explored.

The Molalla River Recreation Area offers easy access, surprising solitude and a nice maze of trails and old forest roads. This area is administered by the Bureau of Land Management and is closed to mountain bikers and equestrians between October 15th and April 15th each year. 

The area experienced a bit of a gold rush from 1860 and into the early 20th century. In the 1940's the whole area saw immense logging. Much of this forest is second growth with a few pockets of old growth. This parcel of land shares a boundary with some operational timber properties as evidenced by clear cuts we will see.

There are lots of options one could explore in this area. For our route, we will be exploring the southern part of the trail network. I really enjoyed the trails here. They were semi-reminiscent of some of my favorite Forest Park or Tillamook Forest trails. I will certainly be returning for some winter running. 

THE ROUTE 

8 Mile Route GPX File

We'll begin our run from Hardy Creek trailhead off of S Fork Molalla Road. The Hardy Creek Trail begins at the back of the parking lot and quickly widens to an old forest road climbing steadily. The road bed is blanketed with big leaf maple leaves and the road is lined with some gorgeous vine maples that will be sure to be on full fall display.

We will soon come to a junction with another road bed on our left. This will be our return trail, but for now we will continue straight for just a bit longer until we reach the junction with the Rim Trail, taking a left to join it. 

This is a great section of single track that weaves along the outer boundary of the trail system. To your right you will see the daylight shining through from the clear cut lumber property to the west. 

The trails are well maintained and flanked by lush salal and sword fern. There are frequent thatch ant nests. We will see at least a dozen of them along our route. We are be going to stay on the outer Rim Trail until we loop back around. We will pass several trails on our left, but just stay straight on the Rim Trail. I noticed there are some trail junctions that pop up that are not on the map. Most trails end up in the same place so it'd be hard to get helplessly lost.

At one point the most defined trail doesn't quite line up with the Rim Trail on the map. Just follow the .gpx file and you will be fine. 

Eventually we will pop out of the forest and onto a road right on the edge of the clearcut. The road quickly returns to a more primitive path through a grassy patch on the forest's edge. As you continue on the trail you will dip back into the forest and be reassured you're on the right path with a sign indicating the Rim Trail ahead.

Once the Rim Trail intersects with the Bob Cat Rd Trail it's name on the maps randomly changes to Squirrel Creek Trail. I don't recall the signage reflecting this change- in fact I seem to remember several signs indicating that the Rim Trail is straight ahead. Regardless of the trail name at this point, we will begin dipping into a slightly burned portion of the forest. I believe it is another casualty of the 2020 Labor Day fires that plagued the state. Fortunately the trails are still decent here, but it is a little brushy in spots. 

The trail continues to descend and, once crossing Bob Cat Rd Trail again, features tighter switchbacks until it reaches the Huckleberry Trail. This descent has a stunning trio of ant hills that are a sight to behold.

Huckleberry Trail is actually an old road bed, reminiscent of Leif Erikson Road in Forest Park. Continuing on this peaceful road, we will eventually come across "Annie's Cabin", a little one-room structure that visitors are welcome to use. Inside, a little panel tells that Annie Miller, Jim Williams, and Annie’s daughter Squirrel lived here in the early 1990s while they worked as volunteers on cleaning up the area and brushing out the trails. Jim Williams died in October, 1993, and Annie and Squirrel soon moved out. The cabin was used as a living room, while the family slept and cooked in a trailer parked next to it.

We will continue along Huckleberry Trail, the hillside road that could easily pass as Forest Park. Continue along the road all the way until you return to the junction with the Hardy Creek Trail. Take the old road back down to the trail head. Right across the road from the trailhead is great access to the Molalla River. It's very lazy in this section and would be a great place to take a polar plunge post run should you be so inclined.