Full Monte Mountain Biking Route

21.5 miles

Distance

5,403 ft

Climb

-5,400 ft

Descent

4,023 ft

High Point

3 ft

Altitude change

599 ft

Altitude min

944 ft

Altitude start

948 ft

Altitude end

-105.4%

Grade max

77.2%

Grade min

11 miles

Distance climb

10 miles

Distance down

2,900 ft

Distance flat

The Full Monte is an epic While not for everyone, the stout at heart will enjoy the grueling climbs and thrilling descents of the Full Monte route on the Buck Creek Loop.

The Full Monte is part of the Buck Creek Loop, a massive 26+ mile loop on WA DNR land (with maybe a smidge of GPNF). The Loop has been left alone unmaintained for a long time but has recently seen a resurrection by some locals in the area working with Hood River Area Trail Stewards (HRATS). It has improved greatly since then and is a fun, remote ride. The ride is recommended to always be ridden counterclockwise.

Driving Directions
Take Hwy141 and turn on Northwestern Lake Road. From this turn, you will go approximately 2.25 miles. Cross over the White Salmon River and stay straight. Northwestern Lake Road becomes Buck Creek Road. Please drive slowly past adjacent landowners - the road gets dusty. After 2.25 miles, park at the small lot on the left side just before you go over a bridge. This is the lower trailhead for the Buck Creek Falls Loop trail.

Route Description
From where you park, Climb up the west side of the Buck Creek Falls Loop. The trail is actually an old road grade and has nice views of Buck Creek. Approximately one mile from the start is a short trail that leads to the small plunge of Buck Creek Falls. Shortly after the Falls you will turn sharply and cross on a scenic bridge over Buck Creek. From this trailhead, turn left and head upstream on Buck Creek Road. Go up 1.1 miles and turn right on the B-1300 road. It is a steep .75 mile climb to McIlroy Saddle and the start of Penny Ridge. The Penny Ridge section of the Buck Creek Loop heads north (on the left side) from the B-1300 road. It climbs steeply through the woods and eventually along Penny Ridge complete with views of Mount Hood. The trail becomes old road and ATV track before climbing to Monte Carlo and the junction with the Monte Christo Trail - 3.7 miles from McIlroy Saddle, where you started on Penny Ridge Trail.

At the Monte Carlo junction take the left (south and west) trail towards the Middle Fork. The trail will twist downwards to cross the B-1500 road twice and then quickly climbs for half a mile. From the top of this climb is an old school descent that ends in some giant old growth trees which were part of the Middle Fork of Buck Creek's riparian buffer from timber harvests. Catch your breath on the MF bridge and then climb up to the Middle Fork Trailhead (Buck Creek Trailhead #2) and the end of the B-1800 road. The trail cuts across the parking area and climbs and descends a couple times until it hits the N050 road. Take a right on the road and bike the road for about 1.25 miles. Stay left at intersections and the road will give-way to singletrack again for a fun descent to the B-1000 road. Go left on the B-1000 for .15 miles and look for the trail on the right. The trail will take you on a ridgeline heading south. There will be a couple of short but very steep climbs until the trail turns to road again (N-1700). Drop the N-1700 road for .33 miles until it makes a sharp bend to the right (south). At this bend the trail will start again and take you over to the N-1000 road and the start of the climb that is Buck Creek Trail - Nestor's Backside. Nestor's Backside will climb for .4 miles and 270 feet of elevation until you attain the ridgeline. The trail stays on the ridge for a bit and treats you to a nice view of the Buck Creek drainage and then does a short descent to the N-1600 road (Nestor Peak Road). Go left/straight on the N-1600 and climb .25 miles to the start of the Nestor Peak Trail or make the turn and climb the final hundred feet or so to the site of the old Nestor Peak fire lookout. The structure is mostly gone but the view remains! From here drop the very fun Nestor Peak Trail - 5.2 miles and 2,800 feet to your car waiting for you at Buck Creek Falls Trail - West. You will need to take a left on Buck Creek Falls Trail and head .4 miles to your car.

Detailed Description

Full Monte is a 21 mile popular intermediate route located near White Salmon Washington. This mountain bike primary route. This route includes 9 trails. This route climbs 5,403 ft with a max elevation of 4,023 ft then descends -5,400 ft.

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Trail Products

Pacific Northwest National Forest Recreation App
Phone App

Stats

Distance

21 miles
Altitude change

3 ft
Altitude min

599 ft
Altitude start

944 ft
Altitude end

948 ft
Climb

1 mile
Descent

-5,400 ft
Grade max

-105.4%
Grade min

77.2%
Distance climb

11 miles
Distance down

10 miles
Distance flat

2,900 ft

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Trails in Route

	Buck Creek - Penny Ridge				4 miles
	Buck Creek - Timberhead Upper				2 miles
	Buck Creek - Little Baldy Section 1				2,057 ft
	Buck Creek - Little Baldy Section 2				4,649 ft
	Buck Creek - Little Baldy Section 4				2,159 ft
	Buck Creek Trail - Nestor's Backside				4,974 ft
	Nestor Peak				5 miles

Details

Riding area

Buck Creek / Nestor Peak
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Other Activities
- Horse
- Hike
- Trail Running
Difficulty rating

Blue
eBike Allowed

Yes

trail	date	description
Buck Creek - Little Baldy Section 1	Apr 27, 2026 @ 8:31am (America/Los_Angeles) Apr 27, 2026	Logs have been cleared - enjoy!
Buck Creek - Little Baldy Section 2	Apr 27, 2026 @ 8:31am (America/Los_Angeles) Apr 27, 2026	Logs have been cleared - enjoy!
Buck Creek - Little Baldy Section 4	Apr 27, 2026 @ 8:31am (America/Los_Angeles) Apr 27, 2026	Logs have been cleared - enjoy!
Buck Creek Trail - Nestor's Backside	Apr 27, 2026 @ 8:31am (America/Los_Angeles) Apr 27, 2026	Logs have been cleared - enjoy!
Nestor Peak	Mar 7, 2026 @ 2:12pm (America/Los_Angeles) Mar 7, 2026