Trail Facts

Description

Sitting 45 miles southeast of Eugene, Oregon the small town of Oakridge is home to over 350 miles of trail thatll make you smile until it hurts. Buff lines of dirt snake though grassy meadows. Slivers of bench cut singletrack wind along the steep hillsides of the Cascades, bobbing and weaving through old growth forests before opening up to reveal jaw dropping mountain views in a thousand shades of green. Constantly changing in character and rhythm, these trails dont just entertain, they tantalize with the promise of whats to come. These are the trails that bikes dream about while you are at work.



With so many interconnected trails, navigation can be very difficult and there are plenty of opportunities to make a wrong turn. Picking up a trail guide, hooking up with some locals, or hiring a guide service are all highly recommended.



Tire Mountain

While most of Oakridges trails are enveloped with flourishing vegetation, Tire Mountain stands out for its larger than life old growth stands. Riders usually connect to Tire Mountain by taking the Windy Pass section of the Alpine Trail, which can be shuttled or climbed. After huffing up for a few miles while taking in the views of Diamond Peak and the Three Sisters mountains, the trail opens up to the grassy slope known as Tire Meadow.



At the right time of year, the meadow is overrun with wildflowers in a kaleidoscope of colors. This is a great place to take a breather and enjoy the view, because right around the corner the trail dives into stands of trees hundreds of years old and several feet wide. Word to the wise: Dont wear dark sunglasses through the old growth forests. You wont be able to see a damned thing under the amazingly thick canopy. The best way back to town is connecting Tire Mountain to the Clover Leaf trail which, when shuttled, can easily create a 25 mile route if you ride back to town. Shorter routes can be made depending on where you leave a car.

Location

Driving Directions