From the parking area, head east towards the Calapooya Mountains and Oakridge. The first 7 miles are on lightly trafficked roads where a red blinky light is a “nice to have” accessory. You will gently climb about 450 feet over the sector.; use it to spin the legs and get ready for the climb.

The area now known as Oakridge was first explored in 1852 as a possible route for pioneers coming from Central Oregon to the Willamette Valley. A post office was named “Hazeldell” in 1888, and the place’s name later changed to “Big Prairie”, and then “Oak Ridge”. In 1912, a new community was formed and officially named Oakridge. Since its beginnings as a mountain ranch, Oakridge has been a railroad boomtown, a lumberjacks’ haven, and an outdoor enthusiast’s destination. [Wikipedia]

At ~ mile 7 turn right onto NF 1746 [paved], immediately the road tips up. Over the next 16 miles, you will climb 3700 feet with several short, step breaks ranging in length from a mile to two miles. The respites are at mile 11, 16 and 19.

The first pitch, on pavement, is the most sustained pitch at nearly 7%.(Micro-video) At mile 11.7, do not miss this deceptive right turn (we did!) onto NF 750 [gravel]. The next 2 miles roll gently up and down.(Micro-video) Miles 15 to 20 is an upward, contouring sector along Dinner Ridge that gives views to the south of the Calapooya Divide. At ~ mile 20, continue straight onto NF 1746, leading to Holland Meadows, a high alpine field with flowers and views to the north of the Three Sisters. Holland Junction, the intersection of NF 1746 [gravel] and NF 5850 [paved], marks the high point of the climb and the end of the gravel for the day.

The Calapooya Mountains and the Calapooya Divide are two parts of a spur of the Western Cascade mountains in the state of Oregon that form the divide between the watersheds of the Willamette and Umpqua rivers. The Calapooya Mountains start near Cowhorn Mountain, north of Lake Lemolo, and curve northwest past Bohemia Mountain to Holland Point, south of Oakridge. Near Bohemia Mountain, a block of mountains connected to the Calapooya Mountains runs due west along the border between Lane and Douglas counties. This block is known as the Calapooya Divide. [Wikipedia]

At Holland Junction turn right onto NF 5850 [paved]. The next 3 miles roll down 400 feet and then up 400 feet. Use some caution as there are dips in the road and short sections of broken pavement.(Micro-video) The second crest marks the beginning of the descent, a loss of 4100 feet over 23 miles. However, the fun really begins at the next turn.

At mile 29, make a hard right turn onto NF 22, a single lane paved road with twisty turns and far off views to the west.(Micro-video) At mile 33, pick up a paved road leading in from the southwest. From here out, the road is more two-lane than one-lane, and that red blinky light is nice to have again.

At this point, you will also notice that you are following Brice Creek. The riding is incredibly scenic. Big, old trees covered in moss. Ferns. Small waterfalls and creeks. Stop and take the time to enjoy the wonder!

Brice Creek runs through the scenic canyon of the western slope of the Cascade Mountains. It flows into the Row River, which in turn empties into the Willamette River. Due to its proximity to Eugene, Brice Creek is a popular destination on a hot summer day. You’ll find excellent places for sunbathing, wading, and natural dipping along the creek.

One of the best swimming and cliff jumping spots that feature outstanding scenery, cascading waterfalls, and a deep plunge pool is the Brice Creek Falls, which is located 0.3 miles upstream of the Cedar Creek Campground. [Oregon Discovery]

At ~ mile 43 you leave the Umpqua National Forest, the riding has a bit more of an urban feel to it with scattered houses and outbuildings. At Disston make a right and then a quick left back onto NF 17 [the stick of the lollipop] and retrace your path back to the start and enjoy a swim at Wildwood Falls.

Disston was a sawmill and logging town (At one time, there were two sawmills in Disston, the Wheeler-Osgood Lumber Company and the I. E. James Lumber Company. Both mills closed down in the 1950s.) and also a supply point for miners heading into the nearby Bohemia mining district. The terminus of the Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railway logging railroad was also in Disston. [Wikipedia]