There are an abundance of recreational opportunities in the area. Whether you like to hike, mountain or road bike, kayak, fish, ski (water and snow), camp or backpack, you will find it here in the Willamette National Forest. The area features nearly 500 miles of trails and dozens of lakes and waterways.
Photo, left: Eugene, Cascades & Coast.
Alpine Trail, The Crown Jewel: Smooth and fast, with breathtaking panoramic views. Once you hit the trail, there is a little work with 3 climbs of no more then 1 mile at a time shattered though out the trail, some minor technical, and then it’s all downhill! Lots of loops and offshoot options including; Tire Mt, Cloverpath, North Fork and more..
Larison Creek: Technical single-track, particularly at the top. The Creek ride is the perfect test of skill and courage. Extreme switchbacks, exposed roots, and stream crossings are a few of the challenges. About halfway down, it opens up and lets you ride, almost continually.
Larison Rock: Technical due to it’s speed and exposure. Fun, short, and quick, with patches of technical. The trail winds down the hills over Oakridge. Although mostly smooth and fast, it slows down for some steep narrows and tight spots.
Heckle Tooth –The 20-mile loop climbs for six-miles before you enter the trail, a speed zone through the rolling hills and generous switchbacks. The 35-mile loop adds elevation plus climbing. Steep climbs reward you with a ride down the edge of the mountains. The 50-miler is a rider’s ride – tight, technical switchbacks and obstacles reward the extra climb. Not for the weak!
Salmon Creek: A beautiful ride up the river to the Salmon Creek Falls. This flat trail runs right outside Oakridge and includes a variety of local points of interest along the ride. There are no hills or obstacles. A straight round trip is about 12 miles. For a harder Option: Cross the Salmon Creek Bridge for rolling hills with some technical patches. Gain some vertical with a trip up Dead Mountain then back on the Flat Creek Trail.
Source: Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce
