thru ride

,

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

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

On June 28, 2025, Joe Miller rolled out of Lakeview, Oregon, on an 11-day push along the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route. By the time he reached Hood River—553 miles and 42,400 feet of climbing later—he was battered, euphoric, and full of stories. This final post closes out the series by sharing what came next for Hanna, his first-week ride partner, whose journey took a different turn after they split paths.

A scientist, ceramicist, and all-around badass on a bike, Hanna rejoined the route in Sisters and pushed through some of the toughest terrain on the trail. Her resilience, humor, and grit shaped the early days of the ride—and her story deserves its own spotlight.

,

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

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

After 11 days, 553 miles, and more than 42,000 feet of climbing, Joe Miller rolled into Hood River—exhausted, elated, and changed. The final leg from Gibson Horse Camp to Hood River delivered everything the Oregon Timber Trail Adventure Route is known for: a long descent through orchard country, a punishing 7-mile climb to Kingsley Reservoir, and a steep, brake-burning drop to the Columbia River. Joe’s account captures not only the grit and skill required to finish this route but also the gratitude that comes with completing a truly wild adventure.

,

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

,
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.

, , , ,

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

, , , ,
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.”

, , ,

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

, , ,
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.”

 

STAY IN TOUCH

Sign up to receive trail updates, volunteer opportunities, advocacy alerts, and more.

sign up ➜
 

Do you like the work we’re doing?

Make a tax deductible donation now to support our mission of stewardship, education, community, and quality trail experiences throughout the Oregon Timber Trail corridor.

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

donate ➜
 
 

Support our partners:

 
On #GivingTuesday we're asking you to consider donating to one (or several) of our partner groups we work with on the Oregon Timber Trail. Support Trails on GivingTuesday! This GivingTuesday, the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance invites you to make a
The Santiam Wagon Road makes up 37 miles of the Oregon Timber Trail Deschutes Tier. Trail users can travel west from Sisters over Santiam Pass and through the headwaters of the McKenzie River towards the historic Fish Lake Work Center. Support our fr
Like the trail and want to get more involved? Join the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance Board of Directors! OTTA is seeking enthusiasts, visionaries, and folks interested in investing in the future of the Oregon Timber Trail to join our Board of Direct
Join us for a one-day ride/work event on Saturday, September 14 as we place reassurance badges on the iconic Surveyor’s Ridge Trail. WHERE? - We’ll meet at the 44 Trails Hub Trailhead (where Super Connector trail crosses Road 17) at 9:00
Looking to extend your summer with a few more adventures? Great, we're looking for a few more signage volunteers in September! If you've hiked or ridden the trail before, you know how tricky navigation can be. Better signage will significantly enha
We’re collecting tales from the trail about your experiences with mosquitoes along the OTT. So get in your wayback machine and conjure up your most memorable swarm stories! Share them in the comments and don't forget to include where along the
Like the trail and want to get more involved!? Well, you’re in luck! The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is seeking enthusiasts, visionaries, and folks interested in investing in the future of the Oregon Timber Trail to join our Board of Directors
We can't believe it's mid-August already! Way-finder extraordinaire Dan Sharp @d_sharp has been out on the trail placing signage all summer long with the help of some great volunteers. But there is still a ways to go and trailblazers, we need your he
 

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

© 2025 Oregon Timber Trail® Alliance
🌲🚵🌲

Cart (0)