United StatesOregon Tumala Mountain
Tumala Mountain Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

23.7
PDI
15.8 mi
DISTANCE
4,431 ft
GAINED
4.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): Chris Tank, Estacada, OR

INTRO

Tumala Mountain is a Top 100 US gravel climb in Mt. Hood National Forest, gaining 4,431 feet over 15.8 miles (6.7% average on the climbing sections) from Highway 224 near Estacada, Oregon, to a repurposed radio structure at the summit. 

We rode this climb in mid-June and found a striking mix of conditions: a fast paved start out of the canyon gives way to dense, shaded forest that barely lets any direct light through, with temperatures dropping into the 40s even as the effort ramped up. About 5 miles in, the road runs straight through the La Dee OHV staging area - expect to be passed by dozens of trucks towing off-road vehicles on a busy weekend. 

The final mile narrows and turns genuinely rocky before finishing at the summit's old radio structure, where a short 0.1-mile hike leads to a viewpoint over the Clackamas foothills. As of late August 2026, the Austin and Narrows fires are burning elsewhere in the Clackamas River Ranger District and the whole forest is at Extreme fire danger. 

This climb's start near Promontory Park sits outside the current closure perimeter, which begins farther out near Carter Bridge Campground - but check current Mt. Hood National Forest conditions before heading out, since active-fire closures can expand.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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The climb gains 4,431 feet over 15.8 miles for a 4.8% overall average, but the climbing sections alone average a steeper 6.7% - the route includes some rolling and even descending terrain (including a 0.8-mile, 5.5% descent to the Boyer Creek bridge around mile 8) mixed in with the sustained climbing. 

The first half mile out of Highway 224 is paved switchbacks before the surface turns to gravel. From there it's a long, grinding pull through dense forest with the steepest, most technical section saved for the last mile, which narrows and turns rocky as it nears the summit's radio structure.
Roadway: The first half mile is paved, then the surface switches to hard-packed dirt/gravel with occasional large potholes for most of the route. The final mile narrows and gets notably rockier, though it's still doable on a gravel bike. The road holds up reasonably well outside of wet-season washout risk.

Traffic: This climb shares its middle third with the La Dee off-highway-vehicle (OHV) area, entered around mile 2.7 and exited around mile 10.8 - expect to be passed regularly by trucks towing OHVs and by OHVs themselves, especially on weekends, since La Dee includes about 35 miles of designated off-road trails with roughly 8 along this route. Outside the OHV zone, traffic is light. As of late August 2026, the Austin and Narrows fires are burning in the Clackamas River Ranger District to the south and east, and Mt. Hood National Forest is at Extreme fire danger; this climb's start near Promontory Park sits outside the current closure boundary (which begins near Carter Bridge Campground, well down the highway), but confirm current forest conditions and fire restrictions before you go, since active-fire closures can expand.

Parking: There's no dedicated cyclist trailhead. Promontory Park, directly across Highway 224 from the climb's start, has a day-use area with parking, picnic tables, and grills.
There's no water or services once you leave Highway 224, so carry everything you'll need for several hours in dense, shaded forest. We found temperatures noticeably colder here than the valley floor - dropping into the 40s (F) in mid-June with 3,000 feet of climbing still to go - so bring layers even in summer. 

Given the potholed, occasionally rocky surface (especially the last mile), a gravel bike with sturdy, wider tires and good tread will make this climb considerably more comfortable than a narrow-tire setup. Watch for OHV traffic in the La Dee area in the middle of the route, and wear bright clothing to stay visible to drivers.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Estacada, Oregon, about 7 miles from the base, has gas, food, and basic services, and the climb is under an hour's drive from Portland. Promontory Park, right at the start, is a seasonal (Memorial Day-September) campground and marina on the North Fork Reservoir if you'd like to stay close by. 

Given the current Extreme fire danger and active fires elsewhere in Mt. Hood National Forest, check the Forest Service's alerts page before your trip - conditions and closure boundaries in this forest are changing quickly this season. If you want to see what else is rideable in the area, our Routes in the Area tool can point you to other nearby climbs.

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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Tumala Mountain

Ride 15.8 miles gaining 4,431’ at 4.8% average grade (6.7% climb only)

Tumala Mountain is a Top 100 US gravel climb located in Mt. Hood National Forest in northeastern Oregon.

Climb summary by PJAMM’s Brad Butterfield -

The climb route begins perpendicular to highway 224 and is less than an hour's drive from Portland. A series of paved switchbacks start the climb off with a bang. Once the pavement ends, the climb enters a dense forest and direct light is tough to come by. Temperatures dropped into the 40’s -still 3k feet of climbing from the summit- when PJAMM rode the climb in mid-June, 2024. About 5 miles in, there is a large staging area for OHV’s. OHV’s completely dominate this area. I was passed by at least 15 trucks towing OHV’s in the first few miles alone. In total, I was passed by over 30 OHV’s during the 16 mile climb. The road is hard packed dirt/gravel with the occasional crater sized pothole to watch out for. The last mile, the road narrows and it is extremely rocky, but doable on a gravel bike. At the summit, there is a cell tower. A short trail (.1 mile) can be hiked for an awesome viewpoint of the surrounding mountains.

Climb begins at the intersection of Hwy 224 and NF Road 4610 (North Fork Road)

The start of the climb is just across Hwy 224 from the Clackamas River and Promontory Marina which has a small door and picnic grounds and grills.

The first ½ mile of the climb is paved.

Surface conditions along the first half of the climb.

Surface conditions along the second half of the climb.

The ride quickly turns to gravel.

Enter the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) area at mile 2.7 and leave at mile 10.8

Mount Hood National Forest was first established as Bull Run Forest Reserve in 1892 and later merged with Cascade National Forest in 1908 to become Mt. Hood National Forest.  The forest consists of 1,071,466 acres and has over 4,000,000 visitor per year. La Dee OHV area includes 35 miles of designated off-road trails, including roughly 8 along our climb route.

Pass over the bridge at Boyer Creek at mile 7.9 at the bottom of a .8 mile 5.5% descent.

The climb finishes after a punishing final mile at what appears to be a repurposed military structure that my be a radio repeater station.  Hike a short distance for some great views of the surrounding dense forests of the Clackamas Foothills of the Cascade Range.