Happy Valley

5 Star Route / ~ Burns, Oregon / Published: Aug 2018 / Directions

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Route:

Lollipop | 44 mi

Gain:

1,500 ft

Surface:

~ 35% gravel, 65% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Easier

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Rural

Tire Suggestion:

40mm+

Options:

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“Now shine on me sunshine,
Walk with me world, It’s a skip-a-dee-doo-dah day
I’m the happiest girl in the whole U.S.A.”
~ Donna Fargo

That’s the song you’ll be singing on this beautiful ride which includes Happy Valley, a turnout to the Kiger mustang viewing area, Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area, and a number of hay farms that have survived this isolated area since the 1850s.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 1.0

Highlights & Remarkable Spots

Round Barn / ~ Mile 19

Also, if you like museums, you can check out the Round Barn Museum which includes a tour of the Round Barn (built 1870). It’s about a two-mile add-on and is located near mile 19.

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

Spring through Fall, possibly winter.

Terrain & Riding

This ride starts with a lovely paved road that slices through big vista views of the area. Then you head through Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area … with an an optional out and back to see the craters. (We don’t recommend riding out to the end… the washboard should clue you in when you’ve had enough …the first couple of miles provide enough of a flavor for the craters. A few miles in, there’s a cool lookout area that we recommend for the turn around.). When you get back on Lava Beds Road (just the name has us singing the B52s), you buzz on out to Happy Valley Road.

The first part of Happy Valley is a straight super highway of gravel (minus the traffic!). The second half winds through big hay farms with the Steens Mountains off in the distance.

Eventually you cross the Kiger Mustang viewing road … which you can take as another out and back … but we warn you that it’s a rough road and you will be wishing you had a full suspension mountain bike. But if you are committed to seeing mustangs … that seems to be a logical place to find them.

Happy Valley continues … with a downhill that blasts you to the town of Diamond (established in 1843 and now has a population of 83!). You will then see a school, THE school for the whole area. And soon enough, after more hay fields, and interesting rock formations, you are back at your car.

The Start

Lat / Long: 43.044863, -118.860126

Intersection of Oregon Highway 205 and Diamond Lane road. Park on the west side of the highway where a dirt road comes in.

Food & Water

None

Notes & Options

Route Options

The route can be shortened by ~ 13 miles by removing the “stick of the lollipop” and starting/finishing at the historic Hotel Diamond. *Note – hotel closes for the winter season between November and end of March.

Also, if you like museums, you can check out the Round Barn Museum which includes a tour of the Round Barn (built 1870). It’s about a two-mile add-on and is located near mile 19.

Comments

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Keep it Local! Learn More

Keep It Local!

Grab a room or a bite to eat at the historic Hotel Diamond. Hotel Diamond was built in 1898 and stands as the oldest accommodation in the area. Diamond has a population of…5 people (!!!)…some of which are staff members at the hotel and are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet and have extensive knowledge of the area. *Note – hotel closes for the winter season between November and end of March.

Ridden and Reviewed by:

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.

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.