Dead Mountain offers classic Oregon riding between Eugene and Bend

Tucked away in the hills off Highway 58 between Eugene and Bend, Oakridge is a paradise of singletrack for mountain bikers of all skill levels.

Last weekend I made my first trip there and got a taste of what makes this area so popular. A group of my friends with varying skill levels took a ride down Dead Mountain. Don’t let the name scare you off: this trail is suitable for intermediate to advanced riders and has the potential to enjoy the terrain for riders of varying skill levels.

Dead Mountain is a 6-mile descent that we reached after driving up Forest Service Road 2409, the access road to the starting point of the hiking trail.

The trail offers a fast and fun ride with a drop of approximately 815 meters, while a climb of 70 meters requires very little pedaling.

A beginner would be overwhelmed on this trail. The terrain is geared towards an advanced rider who can easily reach high speeds on a steady descent and can maneuver their bike quickly through tight turns. An experienced rider would enjoy this trail and be able to tackle the 6 mile descent with ease.

What to expect at Dead Mountain

After boarding, the trail greets you with the first of many switchbacks that will keep you on your toes. From there, you make your way up a hill with small undulations and through Bering bends. The trail runs continuously over the hill for long stretches, with tight turns to change direction.

As you continue downhill, the trail opens up and you can gain speed on the obstacles, but the tight turns come quickly as you reach higher speeds. Be sure to keep control if you don’t know the trail to avoid overshooting the turns – your brakes can help you if you don’t know the area. For most of the trail, you’ll be riding alongside an exposed side slope during the steady descent.

The landscape resembles a postcard with the title “Greetings from Oregon.” The emerald green trees, surrounded by bright green spring plants, contrast with the ground. The day I was there was a rainy morning with many low clouds in the forest and above. This made the green surroundings sparkle, and a few drops on the plants and also on my glasses.

You’ll come across a gravel road a few times during the ride, but the other side of the trail is easy to find. The road provides a good place to take a break if needed. Towards the end of the trail, the descent begins to slow down and you’ll pass bodies of water and bridges. In the last mile, the trail has fewer curves and becomes straighter, with the occasional surprising change in direction.

Overall, the trail is littered with few roots and rocks, making the ride pleasant. Even on a typical Oregon spring day with consistent rainfall, the surface remained intact, as the trail is mostly protected by trees.

How to get to the hiking trails in Oakridge

The most popular way to access the trails in the Oakridge area is by shuttle, which eliminates the hours it takes to bike up. You can reach the trailhead by taking a shuttle with your group—if you have enough vehicles—or by using a local company that offers rides in the area.

Park your car at the Salmon Creek Trailhead, where the ride ends. The road, Salmon Creek Road, begins on the driveway with a paved, flat surface. The shuttle road is NF-2409, a shortcut from Salmon Creek Road, and becomes gravel, but is well maintained. By car, the driveway to the trailhead takes about 30 minutes and is passable by most types of vehicles.

There is an option to extend the ride and bike to the top of Dead Mountain for better views. Biking the rest of the way up the road adds about a half mile to the ride.

Shuttle options

Due to the established mountain biking community in the Oakridge area, there are many local companies that organize shuttle rides to various trails. Shuttle schedules vary in price, pickup and destination locations, and vary from day to day.

Trans Cascadia Excursions offers shuttles daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for $35. For schedules and route information, visit transcascadiaexcursions.com/oakridge-shuttles.

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