When Tim and I woke up Sunday morning, we got some great news. Jimmie Shell was dropping off his wife Keri and her family at the airport in Seattle after their Pacific Northwest vacation/yeti hunt and driving down to meet us that night on his way home to Salt Lake. This was in addition to us meeting up with Mark Sigman who came in to town from Connecticut early for a wedding later in the week. It was guaranteed to be a carnival with these two friends.
We drove north to Sisters to meet up with Mark at the Euro Bike Shop. He’d rented 29er for our trip into the mountains. We then drove to the McKenzie River Scenic Byway to for a taste of Oregon rain forest.
Clear Lake Camping
Thanks to another great recommendation from Melanie, the guys planned to ride the McKenzie River Trail the next day. Mark asked the guys at the bike shop about the proposed ride. “It’s epic, but very long and difficult.” Just their style.
We camped that night at the top of the trailhead at Clear Lake. Tim and Mark rode around the lake, getting a taste of the forest and lava rock trails that they’d ride for 26 miles the next day. By the time they were back, Jimmie Shell arrived from his long drive south. It was a late night around the campfire with plenty of beer as we caught up.
Mark Rides through the Lava
The next morning Jimmie and I were up early in order to drive 4 miles to the highway. This was the only place we could get cell service, so we camped out, making coffee on the bumper, getting the morning’s work done. Jimmie wrapped up early and drove back to camp for the big ride. Sigman and Tim were impatiently waiting back at camp, ready to begin one of the top 10 single track rides in the States, according to Singletracks.com.
The 26 miles rolls through emerald-colored mossy forest, past 60 foot tall waterfalls, through treacherous black lava fields and next to a brilliant natural spring called Blue Hole. When they were done, they agreed. There’s nothing like it.
McKenzie River Trail
It's how long?
Jimmie Rolls through the Forest
A Long Way Down to the River
Mark riding the McKenzie River Trail
Jimmie at Blue Hole
The Jewel Colored Blue Hole Spring
Celebrating the Ride at Belknap Springs
I had a full work day so I drove down to Belknap Springs to get the guys when they were done. It was 4 o’clock when they trickled into the campground, hot, sweaty, jubilant and starving. After an appetizer of burgers at the hot spings cafe, we drove up the road for camping, pad thai and John Daly’s.
Finishing the Work Day at Belknap Springs
Next morning, I turned 39! Tim treated us all to a delicious Cowboy Omlet and while he cleaned up I rode a few miles of the McKenzie trail as well. Imagine Pandora with singletrack. Amazing.