extreme gravel route

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My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (Part Six)

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My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (Part Six)

On June 28, 2025, Oregon Timber Trail Alliance Board Member Joe Miller set out from Lakeview, Oregon, for an 11-day, 553-mile ride along the Oregon Timber Trail’s newly mapped Adventure Route. By the time he reached Hood River, he had climbed more than 42,000 feet and traversed some of the state’s most rugged backcountry.

Days 9 and 10 carried Joe from Breitenbush to Timothy Lake and onward toward Gibson Horse Camp—a two-day stretch defined by relentless climbs, burn-scarred landscapes, and sweeping views of Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood. Between the brutal eight-mile ascent to Olallie Lake and the punishing 13-mile grind up Lookout Mountain, Joe found small victories in cold beer at the Olallie Lake Resort, the shimmer of Timothy Lake at sunset, and the quiet generosity of fellow campers who shared their water.

These journal-style ride reports capture both the hardship and beauty of the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route—an unforgettable backcountry experience that demands grit, patience, and a deep love of wild places.

My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (Part Four)

My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (Part Four)

Leaving Chemult after a comforting breakfast at Jens’ Coffee House, Joe Miller and his riding partner, Hanna (“Captain Hook”), rolled back onto the gravel roads of Oregon’s backcountry. Day 5 delivered a mix of fast, flowing OHV double-track and lake-side detours before they camped beside the quiet, unmaintained North Davis Lake Campground—Hanna’s last night on the trail before parting ways.

The following morning, Joe faced his longest day yet: 76 miles and over 4,600 feet of climbing en route to Sisters. From smooth gravel ascents to deep snowfields above Todd Lake and the rugged descent through the Peterson Ridge Trail System, the ride was a test of stamina, patience, and grit. By the time he rolled into town, exhausted and grateful, the journey had already carved itself into legend—a vivid reminder of why the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route earns its name.

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My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (Part Two)

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My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (Part Two)

“The climb begins immediately out of Lakeview and continues on good gravel, not too steep, with excellent views overlooking the valley below. After the first five miles, the grade lessens, but continues to climb gradually for another 3.5 miles, concluding at a busy intersection where six roads come together and where the Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail crosses.”

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My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (part 1)

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My Experience Riding the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route (part 1)

“This is a great route that puts you out into some of the most remote areas of the state, with lots of adventure riding and beautiful scenery. Although this version of the OTT is the ‘gravel’ version, don’t let that fool you—most of my time was spent on surfaces I would classify as ‘other than gravel.’ It is hard, technical, and most certainly not a traditional gravel ride.”

 

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The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is dedicated to stewardship, education, community, and quality trail experiences throughout the Oregon Timber Trail corridor.

 
 

Oregon Timber Trail® Alliance
PO Box 6531, Portland, OR 97228
503-298-5152

The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Our EIN number is 82-5018544

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