Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Summit Loop - Paved

This is a highly scenic loop of 105 miles (92 if you take the Deardorff Cutoff) that climbs over five summits. You can begin at either Unity or Prairie City, Oregon. There are several developed campgrounds along the route. Lots of ups and downs along the route. Vegetation varies from big sagebrush to mixed conifers. Numerous peaks of the Strawberry and Blue Mountain Ranges can be seen from this route. Vehicle traffic on Highway 26 can be heavy at times, but traffic over the rest of the route is low. The entire route is paved. The short section of route from Prairie City and Austin Junction is part of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, which can have heavy use.

Location: Unity Ranger District, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and Prairie City Ranger District, Malheur National Forest.
Length of Ride: 105/92 Miles (Deardorff Cutoff), 2-4 days estimated time
Difficulty: More difficult
Level of Use: Medium
Condition: Paved road
Elevation Range: 3,450 ft. to 5,800 ft, numerous climbs
Season: Spring through fall
Hazards: Heavy traffic at times on Highway 26. Narrow roads.
Maps: Wallowa-Whitman NF and Malheur NF Recreation
Access: Can begin at Unity or Prairie City, Oregon

Huckleberry Mountain-Dooley Mountain Road (Skyline Road #11)

This is a highly scenic, one-way tour of 25 miles along a high ridge between State Highways 7 and 245. The ride begins west of Huckleberry Mountain approximately 1-1/2 miles west of Larch Summit and follows Forest Road #11 (Skyline Road). It crosses over Trout Creek and climbs gradually up to the ridgeline staying on or near the ridgetop to Dooley Mountain. Dooley Mountain is the divide between the Powder River drainage and the Burnt River drainage (to the south). Prominent landmarks along the route are Sheep Rock, Little Bald Mountain, Bald Mountain at 6,683 feet, and Huckleberry Mountain. Phillips Lake lies to the north and Unity Reservoir to the southwest. The route passes through the Huckleberry Wildfire (burned in 1986).

Location: 10 minutes, or 8 miles from Sumpter, Oregon; 20 minutes, or 17 miles from Baker, Oregon
Length Of Ride: 25 Miles, 3-4 Hours estimated time
Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Use: Low
Condition: Gravel road
Elevation Range: 4,440 ft. to 6,640 ft.
Season: Spring through fall
Maps: USGS Quads: Sumpter, Pillips Lake, Brannan Gulch, Beaverdam Creek, Dooley Mountain

Access: Access to the western end via Sumpter, Oregon, is from Highway 7, 5 miles southwest of the junction of Highways 7 and 410. The turnoff for Forest Road #11 (Skyline Road) is to the east, approximately 1-1/2 miles west of Larch Summit. No developed parking facilities. Access to the eastern end via Baker, Oregon, is from Highway 245, 7 miles south of the junction of Highway 7 and 245. The turnoff for Forest Road #11 (Skyline Road) is to the west at Dooley Mountain Summit. There is a parking area to the west.

Ditch Road

The route begins at Unity Ranger Station with a long, steady climb through sage brush to the vase of Bullrun Mountain and Mine Ridge (larger loop). The path passes along the base of these mountains, either on or parallel to the Eldorado Ditch, which was constructed in the 1860s and carried water to Malheur City for mining. The larger loop passes three historical privately owned mines: the Record Mine, the Bullrun Mine, and the Orion Mine. These trails offer scenic views of Bullrun Mountain, Mine Ridge, Monument Rock Wilderness, and Unity Valley. Vegetation along the route varies from big sagebrush to mixed conifer. The large loop passes through Stevens Creek Wildfire (burned in 1979) and both loops pass through portions of the Monument Rock Wildfire (burned in 1989). Portions of this route pass through private land.

Location: Begins in Unity, Oregon
Length of Ride: 14/24 Miles, 1.5-3 hours estimated time
Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Use: Medium
Condition: Gravel road and paved road
Elevation Range: 4,030 ft. to 5,050 ft.; biggest climb is 1,000 feet in 5.5 miles
Season: Spring through fall
Maps: USGS Quads: Bullrun Rock, Unity, Rastus Mountain, and Rail Gulch
Access: Starts at Unity