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 RECREATION PASSES

Trail

Old 1916 Trail #537

A 4.2-mile mountain bike trail from Skyline Road to the Pacific Crest Trail, with views of Mount Hood and a loop around Timothy Lake.

Representative photo, not this exact spot. Photo: Sanmane via Pexels ยท Pexels License

Built with mountain bikers in mind, Old 1916 Trail #537 twists 4.2 miles north from Skyline Road (Forest Road 42) to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000, mixing single track with stretches of road. Several spots along the way give good looks at Mount Hood.

The south end begins at a pullout 8.2 miles along Skyline Road from US Hwy 26. To reach the north end, start at Little Crater Lake Campground and take Little Crater Lake Trail #500 and a short piece of the PCT. Pair it with Timothy Lake Trail #528, Headwaters Trail #522 and Miller Trail #534 to circle Timothy Lake, a 15.4-mile loop.

Trail map & elevation

Length4.2 mi one way
Climb386 ft up, 517 ft down
Elevation3,238 to 3,575 ft
DifficultyHard
3,2003,4003,6000 mi4.1 mi
Elevation (ft) along the trail
Download GPX Directions to the start
Trail class
Class 3 of 5
Typical grade
5-8%
Surface
Native material
Tread width
18-24 inches
Ranger district
Zigzag

Connects to: Headwaters Trail #522

Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.

Getting there

  1. To reach the southern end from Portland - follow US Hwy 26 for 40 miles east of Sandy to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42).
  2. Turn right onto Forest Road 42 and follow it for 8.2 miles to a pullout on the south side of the road.
  3. Visitors can park here and access Old 1916 Trail #537 on the north side of the road.
  4. To reach the north end from Portland- follow US Hwy 26 for 40 miles east of Sandy to Forest Road 42.
  5. Turn right (south) on Forest Road 42 (Skyline Rd.) and travel 1.1 miles to Forest Road 4290.
  6. Turn right (west) Forest Road 2660 and travel 2.5 miles.
  7. Turn left (southwest) on Forest Road 2660 and travel 0.9 mile to Abbott Road (Forest Road 58).
  8. Turn left (southwest) on Abbott Road (Forest Road 58) and travel for 1.7 miles to Little Crater Lake Campground.
  9. Turn right and follow the campground loop to the west end and park in the Little Crater Lake Trail parking lot.
  10. Follow Little Crater Lake Trail #500 west for 0.3 miles to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.
  11. Turn left (south) on Pacific Crest Trail #2000 and follow for it for 0.5 mile to the beginning of the Old 1916 Trail #537 which is on your left (east).

From the Forest Service

Passes and permits

A valid Recreation Pass is required at Joe Graham and Pacific Crest trailhead from May 1 to October 1.

Details from the official Forest Service page, a public-domain U.S. government source.

Trails nearby

Headwaters Trail #522 3.6 mi round trip 237 ft Easy Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD) 85.4 mi round trip 16,324 ft Very hard Pacific Crest Trail (Clackamas RD) 22.8 mi round trip 3,032 ft Very hard Timothy Lake Trail #528 14.8 mi round trip 1,118 ft Hard Joe Graham Trail #524 0.4 mi round trip 0 ft Easy Miller Trail #534 4.2 mi round trip 298 ft Moderate Little Crater Lake Trail #500 0.6 mi round trip 0 ft Easy Southshore Trail #529 6 mi round trip 176 ft Easy Meditation Point Trail #526 0.6 mi round trip 31 ft Easy Jackpot Meadows Trail #492 9 mi round trip 1,830 ft Hard

Last checked November 4, 2026