Macks Canyon

5 Star Route / Maupin, Oregon / Published: Apr 2019 / Directions

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Railway trestle over the Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon.

Cyclist on gravel road with flowers in the foreground along the Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon.

Waterfall flowing into the lower Deschutes River.

Gravel road paralleling the lower Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon.

Cyclist on gravel road with basalt cliffs near the lower Deschutes River.

Cyclist under big tree along the banks of the Deschutes River.

Cyclist on single track trail at Macks Canyon on the lower Deschutes River.

Gravel road paralleling the lower Deschutes River. Looking south.

Bike rider on gravel road with basalt columns to left and Deschutes River to the right.

Bike rider on paved downhill, going south, along the Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon.

Cyclist riding through small water crossing along the lower Deschutes River.

Cyclist on gravel road in the late afternoon heading south with the Deschutes River to the right.

Bike rider climbing short paved pitch along the lower Deschutes River.

Parking spot on shoulder of the road near Sherar's Falls on the lower Deschutes River.

Route:

Out & Back | 34 mi

Gain:

950 ft

Surface:

95% gravel road, 5% paved

Technical Difficulty:

Easier

Navigation:

Straightforward

Locale:

Rural

Tire Suggestion:

45 mm+

Options:

Longer

Pictures are worth a thousand words and if you are thinking of doing this ride just take a peak at our photos. This entire ride is on a winding, dirt road that CLINGS to the river. It’s a simple out and back … with the end of the road, at Macks Canyon, offering up some of the most spectacular views. Macks Canyon is an archaeological site which was home to the Sahaptin speaking people of the Columbia Plateau who occupied the area as early as 5,000 BC.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download Version 1.0

Credits & Acknowledgements

A big thanks to the Imperial River Co for sharing this route with us!

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

The route is rideable most of the year. However, we really, really like this route in the spring time (as early as April 1). And, if you can, ride it in the late afternoon / early evening such that on the return portion of the trip, the sun is just beginning to set. The lighting over the river at this time makes for a very special ride. If you decide to try this during the summer, you could end up sharing the road with the crowd that comes to Maupin to worship the water.

Terrain & Riding

There’s constant entertainment with the river as well: rafters floating down the river, fishermen competing against water birds to catch fish, and campers dispersed among random campsites. Oh yes, and fat wild turkeys that get rather confused on take off (we are still thankful they didn’t take out a bike!)

At the end of the road, there’s a small hiking trail that will allow you to continue your journey along the river and make your way to the Columbia River. If you continue past our route, be forewarned, there is an ~ 4 mile section of single track with some hike-a-bike. Our Mother of the Mountain guys have investigated this section of trail and written a bit about it. A proposed route using this connector is detailed here.

The route is relatively flat with a few 100 foot climbs that are just long enough to make you winded. What slows you down is pausing or stopping to take photos because there are a million “Kodak” moments.

The Start

Lat / Long: 45.264235, -121.022311

At the end intersection of Sherar’s Bridge highway and the BLM access road, north of Maupin by ~ 10 miles. Park on the shoulder of the road.

Food & Water

None

Notes & Options

Route Options

Longer
Start at Maupin City park and ride to the published start via the Deschutes River road on the east side of the river. This option adds 18 miles and 500 feet of gain. The entire route out and back will is 54 miles and 1250 feet of gain. The added sector is a paved, narrow winding road, with little traffic, that is very scenic.

Route: Macks Canyon (Maupin City Park start)
GPX File: Download
Start Lat/Long: 45.173110, -121.072400

An alternative spot to park is at Imperial River Company (a great place to grab a burger and brew afterwards), a few hundred yards to the west of the below published start. Please go inside and touch base before doing so.

Comments

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

Keep it Local! Learn More

Imperial River Company

A great place to grab a burger and brew afterwards.

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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