The timber industry fueled the Klamath Basin economy for much of the 1900s, and its decline left behind dozens of miles of gravel roads crisscrossing the region’s forests and waterways. These abandoned back-roads make for ideal gravel grinding cycling terrain, with awesome views of wildlife, old forests, mountain peaks and many lakes. The spiderwebs of logging trails make it possible to extend or shorten your ride as you see fit, offering riders many options. One other secret… here you can ride the State’s longest park, the OC&E Woods Line State Trail, for a 100 mile gravel grinder adventure.
Gravel Grinders
Hagelstein Out and Back
Rating: Moderate to Difficult
Miles: 55.4
Climb (ft): 777
Descent (ft): -777
“I’ve been riding and racing bicycles (sans training wheels) since I was two. Over the years I’ve become an avid road, mountain and gravel rider with the good fortune to ride all over the world… from the hills of the Dolomites, trails of Colorado and throughout Oregon’s roads and single track. And honestly I’ve never ridden in a place as accessible, diverse and fun as Klamath Falls. From the challenging and scenic “backyard” trails of Moore Park to the growing network at Spence Mountain or Brown Mountain or all of the ‘epic’s’ within an hour of here to the endless scenic asphalt ribbons that role through the Southern Oregon Cascades and high desert there’s something for everyone.”
-Adam Burwell, Co-founder of Lost Cascades Bicycle Club and Product Engineer at Jeld-Wen.
More Trip Ideas
5 BREATHTAKING ACTIVITIES AT CRATER LAKE
While visiting Crater Lake, there are many ways to appreciate the beauty of this natural wonder. Let’s go over 5 of the most breathtaking activities at Crater Lake! 1. Bird Watching Bird watching is one of the oldest and most-loved activities at Crater Lake. This age old activity is one that traces back to the origins of Crater Lake’s induction. Crater Lake National Park is located in the Cascade Mountain Range within a subalpine forest. A lot of the woodlands of Crater Lake National Park
A Cyclist’s Guide to Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park
Descending to depths of nearly 2,000 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. And as the centerpiece of Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake’s exceptional clarity makes it a prime tourist destination: The park routinely draws more than a half-million visitors every year. Naturally, that beauty also attracts cyclists to the 33-mile Rim Drive circling the lake. It’s a grueling road, full of hairpin turns and thigh-burning ascents, but riders love Rim Drive for its solitude, scenic terrain, and stunning viewpoints
HOW KLAMATH BECAME ONE OF THE BEST BIKE REGIONS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
When most people think of Klamath, they imagine birds—lots and lots of birds. And while that reputation is well-deserved—the Klamath Basin sits along the largest migratory bird route in the western United States—it’s also earning acclaim for another outdoor pursuit: cycling. It’s easy to see why cyclists are captivated. The Klamath Basin hosts a rich variety of natural beauty, from lush forests to scenic Crater Lake, and cyclists of all skill levels can tackle hundreds of miles of pavement, gravel, and dirt trails. And 300
