Oregon Timber Trail – Gravel Version

The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance recently created a gravel version of the Oregon Timber Trail route. It winds 552 miles through the high country of Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains. This adventurous route begins in Lakeview near the California border and ends in Hood River at the Washington border.

Mountain bikers have been riding the original version of the Oregon Timber Trail since 2017 and it’s an epic experience. The rewards are great but it does require a certain level of endurance, trail riding skill, and several weeks in the saddle. Over half of the 700 miles are singletrack.

As an alternative, the gravel version of the Oregon Timber Trail was created for those riders who are less sure of their trail riding skills or are looking for an adventure that demands less endurance, or just want to cruise through the mountains of Oregon at a faster pace.

The entire gravel version can be ridden in eight to twelve days. Or ride it in sections as your schedule allows.

The route winds through some of Oregon’s wildest terrain, following high rocky ridges, skirting alpine lakes, crossing rivers, and hitting a few small communities along the way.

The route is free of snow as early as mid-June in most years. Hot and dry weather usually sets in by mid-July and persists until late September. These conditions may result in wildfires and require riders to go off-route in order to get around them. The fall ushers in moderate temperatures and fewer fires so it can be an especially attractive time to ride.

The Oregon Timber Trail is a true adventure route. You’ll be far from creature comforts at times. Some roads are steep and rough. You’ll need a GPS device to guide you. Finding food and water can be tricky, especially in southern Oregon. If your bike breaks a bike shop may be far down the road. Finally, cell coverage is spotty so your phone won’t be a dependable tool during an emergency.

The first 210 miles winds through the Fremont-Winema National Forest and is the most challenging because some of the roads are primitive, the terrain is rugged, food and water are scarce, and it’s isolated.

In contrast, the next 164 miles through the Deschutes National Forest is closer to civilization and even touristy in places. The terrain is flatter and finding food and water isn’t much of a problem. It’s a chance to catch your breath and take in the many lakes before riding the 49 roller coaster miles through the Willamette National Forest.

The final 144 miles is a sweep of the high country through the Mount Hood National Forest and ends with a big descent to the Columbia River.

• Paved: 19%
• Smooth Gravel: 30%
• Rough Gravel: 30%
• 4×4 Road: 13%
• Singletrack: 8%

More detailed information can be found in the route guide, here.

Transportation

Getting to the start of the Oregon Timber Trail is a challenge because it starts in the isolated town of Lakeview. This community of 2,000 people has no public transportation and not even a car rental franchise. Short of having a friend drive you to Lakeview, you have these options: Take the train to Klamath Falls and ride the 100 miles of back roads eastward to Lakeview or, rent a one-way U-haul truck in Klamath Falls and drop it off in Lakeview.

Transportation at the end of the Oregon Timber Trail is simpler. A local bus with a bike rack makes a half dozen trips a day from Hood River to Portland (https://www.ridecatbus.org/hood-river/). Portland has an airport, train station, Greyhound bus station, and rental cars. It’s also possible to ride west to Portland on the newly restored Columbia River Historic Highway. Expect a stiff headwind in the summer though.

Water

Keep close tabs on water sources, especially for the southernmost 200 miles. Springs and streams are infrequent and may dry up by late summer, especially during a drought year. North of Chemalt (mile 194) water sources are more plentiful so only a few of the more critical ones are included in the navigation track file.

Food

The only food stops from the start of the route to Chemult (mile 194) are off route so carrying enough food in this section is important. Thereafter, food resupply stops are more frequent but still may require carrying a day or more of food at a time. Except for the grocery stores in Sisters, food selection will usually be limited.

Camping

The navigation track file includes waypoints that indicate the locations of car campgrounds. Some of these car campgrounds are heavily used in the summer, especially on weekends. Not many have potable water but most are along a stream or lake where water can be filtered.

Some bikepackers prefer staying the night at car campgrounds and others make a point to avoid them because of the noise and crowding. And some just use the facilities as they pass through and then find a more informal place to spend the night. Public lands are open to informal camping unless noted by signage.

Only a small percentage of the route winds among private lands. It’s often unclear where public lands end and private lands start. Look for houses, no trespassing signs, and other features that might indicate private ownership. Areas close to towns are mostly likely to be surrounded by private lands. While some landowners are open to you using their land for camping if asked, it’s usually a good idea to stick to public areas for camping.

• Download an extensive route guide here.
• Visit the official website for the Gravel Version of the OTT

Conceived in 2015, the Oregon Timber Trail links communities and backcountry landscapes through mountain biking experiences. The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is the non-profit organization that is dedicated to stewardship, education, community, and quality trail experiences throughout the Oregon Timber Trail corridor. While the original Oregon Timber Trail is primarily a single-track route, this new gravel version has been created to appeal to a new segment of bikepackers.

Joe Miller is the current Board Member for the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance who is serving as the primary steward for the gravel version of the OTT.

The folks at the Oregon Timber Trail have offered to be available to answer questions if you are planning a trip on this route. Please also get in touch with any updates on route conditions that may be relevant to other riders.

Please submit your questions and comments on the route via the contact form below.

The route passes through the ancestral lands of the Northern Paiute, Modoc, Klamath, Yahooskin, Molalla, Kalapuya, Tenino, Wasco, and Wishram peoples.