For mountain bike riding, the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland (CRNG) offer 92 miles of single-track trails and 600 miles of roads closed to motor vehicles. There are another 3,700 miles of low-standard roads which are open to motor vehicles, but see light use except during hunting season.

Green Mountain #831

This is a scenic ride over rolling terrain through juniper and pine forests and openings between Harvey Gap and Forest Road 3380. The north end of the trail is accessible from the Wildcat Campground by a long (5 mile), uphill climb on a good gravel road to Harvey Gap. The trail is wide and there is the possibility of meeting an ATV, motorcycle, or horse. This eight-mile trail classified as "more difficult" because of a series of short, rough, steep sections. The return trip to Wildcat Campground is a steep (5 mile), downhill ride on a secondary gravel road (Forest Road 3380) to the intersection with Forest Road 33, then north for 5 miles back to Wildcat. Cougar Creek #835

This trail is 8.2 miles one way and is classified as "more difficult." This historic trail will be completely reconstructed by spring of 1994. Trailheads are located at each end of the trail; the south trailhead is located just off US Highway 26 near Ochoco Divide Summit on FS Road 650, the north trailhead is located on FS Road 2735. Traveling from the south trailhead, you will be riding on a series of closed logging roads along with some single track. The final 3.5 miles of trail follows an historic pack and saddle route used by early Forest Rangers and settlers traveling between Prineville and the John Day River. Some old rock work and tree blazes are still visible. There are many scenic vistas and a wide array of forests and mountain meadows along the way. The ride is strenuous in places with some technical challenges along ridges and side-slopes. The trail is shared with horseback riders and hikers.

Rock Creek #823

Rock Creek is 7 miles one wayand is classified as "most difficult." Remoteness, solitude, and a wilderness-like setting are all attributes of this challenging but scenic trail. The trailhead is located on FS Road 38 by Potter Meadow (see direction for driving from Paulina under the Spanish Peak trail description). The lower 3 miles of the trail follow historic Waterman's Ditch, built in the early 19th century. You will ride through dense stands of mixed conifer, lush stream-side vegetation, and meadows. This ride is challenging with short steep pitches and more gentle grades mixed in. Clearing width on the trail is narrow making this a technically challenging ride in a remote and primitive setting. If you want to "get away from it all", this trail is for you!

Independent Mine #808

This 8 mile loop trail is considered "more difficult." The trail head is marked as "Round Mountain Trailhead" and is located on FS Road 42, 7 miles from Ochoco Ranger Station. The trail begins on the west side of the parking lot across from FS Road 4205. The trail has some steep sections, but over one-third is in high mountain meadows with fantastic 360-degree views. Both this trail and Trail #804 (Lookout Mountain) are in areas that offer "wilderness-like" opportunities in a primitive environment. The only development you will encounter on the mountain is a shelter located near the top.

Lookout Mountain #804

Lookout Mountain Trail 7.5 miles one way. The trail is steep with some log waterbars. Near the 6 mile point on the trail, the rider will encounter loose shale and steep drop-offs and it is recommended you walk your bike through this section. Lookout Mountain area, being closed to motorized vehicles, offers challenging "wilderness-like" opportunities utilizing a closed road and developed trail system. . The trail head is located at Ochoco Ranger Station on FS Road 22, however, the route can be accessed from several points and ridden as a short day trip, a long day trip or an overnighter. Using Walton Lake Campground as a base camp, there is a good ride up the Round Mountain Trail (805) to the Independent Mine and up to the Lookout Mountain summit. A rider may elect to camp and explore the top of Lookout Mountain or continue on the route following the Lookout Mountain Trail (804) to Ochoco Ranger Station and Campground. This section has come challenging rocky areas that would be classified as "most difficult." This route receives only minor hiking and horseback use. The return to Walton Lake is along a paved road, Forest Road 22. Other alternatives for riding Lookout Mountain include shuttling bikes to the Independent Mine and riding the Lookout Trail back to the Ochoco Ranger Station; or, starting at the Ochoco Ranger Station, ride Forest Road 42 (paved) to the Independent Mine road, then to the summit and back down the trail to the ranger station.

Round Mountain #805

The Round Mountain Trail (7.5 miles one way) is a good day ride. Starting at Walton Lake, the trail climbs a long, sustained grade to the summit of Round Mountain, offering scenic views to the north. This trail rates as "more difficult" due to the sustained grade and pitches of over 10 percent grade. On the south side of the mountain, the trail continues down a 10 to 15 percent grade for four miles where it intersects with Forest Road 42. From here, there are three options for returning to Walton Lake: return on the trail; turn east, follow Forest Road 42 for 2.5 miles. then follow Forest Road 4210 (gravel) back to Walton Lake; or turn west on Forest Road 42 and follow it seven miles downhill to its junction with Forest Road 22, turn north and proceed seven miles to Walton Lake. Road 42 is one of the mayor log haul routes for this Ranger District.

Barnhouse

A trail route offering a "most difficulty" challenge is the Barnhouse system, which is not currently maintained. From Barnhouse Campground travel south on the paved road (Forest Road 12) to the Summit Trail route (Forest Road 2630), a good gravel road. Turn west, following the Summit Trail 4 miles to a; seldom used deep road (Forest Road 2630-780). Follow the deep road north for 3 miles where it connects with the Barnhouse Trail. The trail benches the hillside until it intersects the paved road just below Barnhouse Campground, about 4 miles.

Hardscrabble

The Hardscrabble area offers excellent road riding opportunities in natural appearing surroundings out of Fraizer Campground. Map 8 indicates a system of roads that may be established and classified as "easiest" mountain bike routes. There is insignificant vehicle traffic on all of these roads. Some of them are closed to motor vehicles.

Summit Trail

The historic Summit Trail (74 miles long) is ideal as a mountain bike route. m e total route can be utilized for week-long bike packtrip, or can be ridden in segments as "day rides" from many starting points. m e Summit Trail was originally a pack trail that traversed the complete summit of the Ochoco Mountains, from McKay Creek near Prineville to the South Fork of the John Day River. The route was widened in places to facilitate wagons and motor cars (1920's), and widened even later to facilitate timber harvesting. Nevertheless, this route offers a variety of excellent riding through three Ranger District, skirting the edges of three Wildernesses and accessing several primitive and developed campgrounds. Promoting this trail could draw attention to mountain bike opportunities on the Ochoco National Forest.

Move on to Trail Finder: Ochoco National Forest

Move on to Ochoco National Forest Index

Return to Top

RELATED GORP LINKS
GORP Oregon Resources
GORPtravel Adventure Vacations