About 1:20 drive from Bend is a trail called Castle Rock. Skookum previously proclaimed that this was his favorite trail ride, so I had to give it a go of course. Again, we were in search of something new to ride, again, we weren't disappointed. The book suggested the route as a 14.5 mile loop of 3-5 hours which would put us climbing a gravel road and then singletrack. I pushed for an out and back on the singeltrack and am really happy we did the ride that way. Even though it turned it into about a 12 mile ride, those miles were packed with climbing (2370'), switchback heaven, heavily forested trails, and panorama views. Some of the picture didn't turn out that great because it's so dark back in the forest.
Don't stop for too long or moss will start growing on you!
The switchbacks got increasingly steep and difficult, the progression was nice though. It is a total grind upwards towards the end, but of course what I came up, I KNEW I was going to get to ride down.
Those clouds are coming for us!
I did some rock climbing while we were up there. :biggrin:
Heading back down all that trail goodness starts with...A SWITCHBACK!
Upon getting back to our car, we decided to tack on another loop ride in the area. This one was another doozy of a climb (2390') over 6 miles, followed by a 3 mile roaring descent. Rain was threatening for our entire second ride so we kept the pace as high as our legs would allow. The downhill section is a gigantically long straight singletrack that follows the ridge in the forest. It was downright dark in spots! It switchbacked some before popping us back out at the car. Once in the car, it started raining.
Unfortunately, the sign was not kidding at all. This section was steep and loose and rocky.
More green, more ribbon singetltrack, more HIGH SPEED!
Now that I know where that second trail goes, I'm fairly certain you could better connect the two rides we did...I just need a topo map or to explore.
Tired and happy again.
Don't stop for too long or moss will start growing on you!
The switchbacks got increasingly steep and difficult, the progression was nice though. It is a total grind upwards towards the end, but of course what I came up, I KNEW I was going to get to ride down.
Those clouds are coming for us!
I did some rock climbing while we were up there. :biggrin:
Heading back down all that trail goodness starts with...A SWITCHBACK!
Upon getting back to our car, we decided to tack on another loop ride in the area. This one was another doozy of a climb (2390') over 6 miles, followed by a 3 mile roaring descent. Rain was threatening for our entire second ride so we kept the pace as high as our legs would allow. The downhill section is a gigantically long straight singletrack that follows the ridge in the forest. It was downright dark in spots! It switchbacked some before popping us back out at the car. Once in the car, it started raining.
Unfortunately, the sign was not kidding at all. This section was steep and loose and rocky.
More green, more ribbon singetltrack, more HIGH SPEED!
Now that I know where that second trail goes, I'm fairly certain you could better connect the two rides we did...I just need a topo map or to explore.
Tired and happy again.
