Kinzua!
Highlights & Remarkable Spots
The town of Fossil / @Start
The City of Fossil had its beginnings in 1876, when Thomas Benton Hoover, a native of Missouri, settled with his family in 1870, about two miles north of the eventual town site, and began farming. He opened a post office at his ranch, which he named Fossil after some early fossils found in the area. The area continues to attract thousands of visitors to the open fossil bed behind Wheeler High School and the nearby John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. [Oregon Encyclopedia]
Kinzua Town Site / ~ Mile 9.7
The town boasted 125 homes, a U.S. post office, a golf course, a lake full of trout, a library, grocery and department stores, a fully equipped and staffed first-aid station, a tavern, a restaurant, a barber shop, and a railroad line connecting the town to nearby Condon. Kinzua’s facilities, along with its location in the pristine Oregon wilderness, made it a travel destination for hobbyists and travelers from around the world. At its peak (around 1950), the company town grew to a population of around 700 residents, making it the largest town in Wheeler County. [Oregon Encyclopedia]
Kinzua Golf Course and Campground /
Literally, in the middle of nowhere nestled among a meadow and pine trees is the Kinzua Golf Course and Campground, a 6-hole course and donation campground. The course originally opened in 1930, and today is locally owned. [Kinzua Hills Golf Club]
Wheeler County Courthouse / @Finish
On February 17th, 1899, Wheeler County was established. It was named after Henry Wheeler. He operated the first stage and mail line through the county. Three towns vied for the honor of becoming county seat but Fossil beat out the towns of Spray and Twickenham in the selection. The historic courthouse was built in Fossil in 1902 and it is still in use today. [Oregon Judicial Branch]
Credits & Acknowledgements
Ridden and submitted by DeWayne Weaver, a frequent contributor to Dirty Freehub and a Madras, Oregon resident.
When We Like to Ride This
Late spring through late fall. Summer can be hot, go early!
Terrain & Riding
From Fossil, you leave the high desert behind and quickly climb into Ponderosa forests and a beautiful wooded canyon containing the Kinzua golf course and campground, all along Thirtymile creek. Your climb out of the canyon will be rewarded with a beautiful non-stop gravel descent back to Fossil.
The route has two climbs. The first is 7 miles on pavement and averages 4%. The second, gravel, is only 2.2 miles but averages 6.5%. The descents are a thrill, non-technical and easy. The gravel segment is very nice, with no particularly rough sections but there are some short, steep pitches.
The Start
Wheeler County Courthouse, or anywhere in Fossil.
Lat / Long: 44.998300, -120.217051
Food & Water
- None
Route Notes
You likely won’t encounter any vehicles except for the few short miles leaving Fossil on the John Day HWY, so a blinky light is highly recommended for that short section.
Route Options
For a longer ride, combine it with the Dirty Freehub Dandelion route or ride West on Butte Creek road out-and back to Wilson Ranches Retreat for another beautiful, and fairly flat extension.
Love Where You Ride! Learn More
We encourage you to learn more about where you ride! Fossil has a rich history and a thriving western heritage. The town has a walking tour with many historic buildings, including the 1898 courthouse and fascinating historical museums (Fossil Museum, Pine Creek Schoolhouse & Shepherd’s Wagon). Hours: Open Memorial Day – Labor Day. Mon: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm and Wed-Sun: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Call to verify the hours: (541) 763-2113 or (541) 763-4440.
Videos
Kinzua – The Shuttering of a Town
A compilation of news videos (8 minutes) from 1978 discussing the closure of the Kinzua mill and the razing of the town. Super fascinating!
Keep it Local! Learn More
Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!