Haystack

5 Star Route / Bend, Oregon / Published April 2020 / Version 1.0 / Directions

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The Crooked River (High) bridge.

Along Culver highway.

Canals are an important part of life in this area.

Gravel Cyclist on Gravel Bike Route in Central Oregon

The first gravel / dirt sector. National Grassland.

Female Cyclist on Gravel Road in Central Oregon

The turn back onto paved at Haystack reservoir.

Cyclist on rural roads in Central Oregon

Gravel cycling route near Gray Butte Oregon

Back onto gravel. Gray Butte in the distance.

Wide roads. Little traffic.

Onto National Forest road. More primitive.

Central Oregon Gravel Bike Route with beautiful views.

Gravel Cyclist climbing in Central Oregon

Nearing the summit of the climb for the day.

Gravel Bike route with mountain views in Central Oregon

Descending!

Back onto the Culver highway.

Cross through this gate to connect the Culver highway to Crooked River (High) bridge.

The Crooked River (High) bridge.

Gravel Girl's ride metrics.

Route:

Lollipop | 20 mi

Gain:

1,500 ft

Surface:

45% gravel, 55% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Moderate

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Urban Backcountry

Tire Suggestion:

40 mm

eBike Friendly:

Yes

This route is a complete accident! We’ve driven by this area for years, glancing from a speeding car, in a hurry, not thinking much about it. But we needed to give it a ride as we were working a different route in the area, looking for some intel on the western flank of Gray Butte. But … “oh my” … were we surprised. This route has some of the best, if not the best, views of the Cascades in Central Oregon.

The start is from the Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic viewpoint where the Crooked river railroad bridge and the Crooked River (High) bridge cross the deep gorge of the Crooked river. Take the time to wander, look, and read up on the history of the area at the kiosks.

The Crooked River (High) bridge is 464 feet long, and at 295 feet above the river it was the nations single highest arch span when constructed. Oregon’s famous bridge engineer, Conde B. MCCullough, designed the bridge to blend gracefully with the regions rugged landscape — harmonizing with the Oregon Trunk Line Railway bridge (1910) downstream. [from on-site kiosks]

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

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Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

On a sunny day when the Cascade mountains are snow capped. The route is rideable almost anytime of the year. Avoid when wet.

Terrain & Riding

The trickiest part about this route, is the start. From the parking lot, make your way towards the Crooked River (High) bridge. Cross it and then follow the paved path to Highway 97. Cross the highway, and then proceed north along the highway for 20 to 40 yards. To your right you will see the old highway, or as it is called today the Culver highway. This is the road you want. Look for the concrete barriers and barb wire fence. Just to the right of the barriers is an opening in the fence that you want to take.

The route is a fun mixture of gravel roads, dirt BLM roads, pavement, juniper trees and farmlands, rolling hills, flats and a few popper hills. And some of the best views of the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon. The dirt BLM roads will be the most challenging, some chunk and a bit rutted.

The Start

Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint. Pit toilets.

Lat / Long: 44.3902950, -121.192104

Food & Water

None

Notes & Options

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Love Where You Ride! Learn More

Much of this route is through the Crooked River National Grasslands. Between 1880 and 1930 much of this land was tilled up for farming after it was mistakenly reported that the land was suitable for dryland farming. By 1930, after a 10-year drought, nearly 700 homesteaders had moved out . The grasslands were returned to government ownership through the purchase of non-performing homestead lands in 1960s.

Today, the grasslands provides habitat for 375 species of wildlife including deer, elk, antelope, mountain lion, songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors including the threatened Northern Bald Eagle and the endangered Peregrine Falcon.

One of the lead organizations working to protect these lands and others like it is Discovery Your Forests. Check them out!

Ridden and Reviewed by:

LindaE (aka Gravel Girl) / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

KevinE / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

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