Metolius Preserve + Bonus Lakes

Alts & Options Route / ~ Sisters, Oregon / Published October 2019

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Gravel bike on the single-track trail leading around Suttle Lake.

Leading out! Suttle Lake single-track.

Cyclists crossing bridge at campground on the west side of Suttle Lake.

Near the west end of the lake and the campgrounds.

Gravel cyclist on single-track trail near Sisters, Oregon.

Lake Creek at the exit from Suttle Lake in Central Oregon.

Lake Creek bridge, near the Suttle Lodge.

The Lake Creek trail in the fall with the turn of colors.

The beginning of the Lake Creek trail.

Gravel cyclist passing underneath highway 20 using the trail.

Crossing underneath the highway. Yes, there is a trail.

Gravel cyclist on the red cinder road leading to Round Lake.

The beginning of the red cinder climb to Round Lake.

A group of gravel cyclists in the Camp Sherman area.

Cyclist on the red cinder road with Three Fingered Jack in the distace.

Three Fingered Jack peak in the distance.

Round Lake

The descent from the lake.

Cyclists passing through the burn area near Round Lake.

Cyclists passing through a stand of Aspen trees in the Camp Sherman area.

Gravel cyclist riding the double-track of the Lake Creek trail.

Onto the Lake Creek double-track leading to the Preserve.

The Metolius Preserve.

Gravel cyclists on a red cinder road between Suttle Lake and Sistes.

The double-track portion of the Sisters-Suttle Tie trail.

The Sisters-Suttle Tie trail double-track.

The single-track portion.

Suttle Lake

The Suttle Lodge

The parking area at Suttle Lodge

Route:

Tootsie Roll | 28 mi

Gain:

1800 ft

Surface:

75 % gravel, 25% single-track

Technical Difficulty:

Demanding

Navigation:

Attention Required

Locale:

Remote

Tire Suggestion:

40mm +

eBike Friendly:

Community Condition Report:

Update

This is a really, really great route! It uses elements of three other 5 Star routes: the Metolius Preserve, Sherman’s Waltz, and Gravel Cracker 85. Thus, the Alts & Options designation. See those route guides for full details.

We like this route in the fall (Octoberish) when the Larch trees are golden yellow. The route is not too demanding, but there is a significant amount of easy mountain bike single-track that is really great drop-bar riding.

Map & Details

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

Route Downloads

Ride with GPS GPX file

When We Like to Ride This

Early on a hot summer day (like 8 am) or in October when the Larch trees are in full color. In the spring the route can be wet, muddy and boggy. Avoid.

The Start

Suttle Lake lodge. There are several parking lots near and at the lodge.

Lat / Long: 44.426715, -121.729534

Food & Water

None

Comments

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

Love Where You Ride!

The Metolius Preserve is owned and cared for by a local nonprofit, the Deschutes Land Trust. The Land Trust has been working in Central Oregon since 1995 to conserve land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. The Metolius Preserve is just one of ten other community preserves that are protected forever by the Land Trust for wildlife and people. These preserves are what make Central Oregon so full of natural beauty and outdoor splendor. The Land Trust believes that we can protect that beauty, that land that sustains us. You can too. Donate today to protect land with the Deschutes Land Trust and get involved as a volunteer to help care for the land.

Keep it Local!

Suttle Lodge

After the ride, we recommend taking a walk through The Suttle Lodge and grabbing a bite to eat and a drink at the Boathouse (seasonal) or the Skip Bar.

For more information on the positive impact of buying local, check out this resource page.