GOOD GRVL 2026: Gifford Pinchot
Social gravel ride through Gifford Pinchot National Forest near Carson, WA — 42 miles, 4,252 ft of climbing through lush Pacific Northwest backcountry.
The vibe
Premium gravel in the lush PNW
Gifford Pinchot National Forest is exactly the terrain you’d want for a proper Pacific Northwest gravel ride: dense old-growth Douglas fir, volcanic geology, unpaved forest roads with the kind of surface quality that rewards a wide tire setup, and almost no traffic to worry about. The GOOD GRVL ride covers 42 miles of it with 4,252 feet of climbing from the Hemlock Picnic Area outside Carson.
River City Bicycles organizes this event with the social ride ethos that makes it accessible rather than intimidating — the point is to ride beautiful terrain together, not to race. The post-ride sandwich bar included with registration is a meaningful touch: you’ll have earned it after 42 miles and 4,000+ feet of climbing in the forest.
The technical requirements are real: 700x42c or wider tires are specified, and for good reason. Gifford Pinchot’s forest roads vary significantly in surface quality. A gravel-specific setup will make the experience more enjoyable throughout. Carson is about 50 miles north of Portland along the Columbia River Gorge, making it an easy day trip from either Portland or the Washington side. Register through Eventbrite; space is limited.