From Mitchell head west, and take a quick right onto Highway 207 towards the community of Service Creek. The next 18 miles are part of the Oregon Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway. We have ridden these miles many times on a road bike, but never south to north as this. The riding and scenery are spectacular! The terrain is rolling and open. Scattered Juniper trees mixed with grassy hillsides.

After rolling along for a bit, the first climb begins at ~ mile 4 and gains 550 feet in a bit over 2 miles. The backside descent is fast and fun with Girds creek on your left.  Partway into the descent, the headquarters for Six Shooter ranch will be on your right.

The second climb begins just after the descent ends, at mile 10. This climb is nearly identical in effort to the first climb: 2 miles, 500 feet of gain. However, the second descent is more stunning and beautiful.  The big, majestic butte in the distance Butler Mountain. In 4 miles you descend 1000 feet.

The next climb begins immediately. It is the big one for the day, 1800 feet over 8 miles. The first 4 miles are paved, then it changes over to gravel. After gaining 1400 feet, there is a horizontal step giving a bit of rest. Then 400 more feet of climbing to the summit, which is marked by a large open meadow to your right.

Along the way (~ mile 20), you pass by the ghost town of Richmond. Several buildings remain, most are on private property though. Just after Richmond, the road changes to gravel. The open hills evolve into pine forests and some Ponderosa’s near the summit. Along the way, you will see signs for “No Hunting” and “No Trespassing.” The road is public. The lands on both sides of the road are part of the Six Shooter ranch private hunting reserve.

The town (Richmond) came into being in 1890 as a result of farmers and ranchers tired of spending so much time traveling to get supplies. However, the invention of the automobile drastically reduced travel time and the town’s reason for existence faded.

At mile 25, the climbing is complete. Horseshoe Creek meadow is to your right. From here it is rolling terrain, some forest and some open meadows. The creek to your left is Six Shooter creek. At ~ mile 30, the trees give way to open grasslands.  Just before mile 31 on Parrish Creek road turn right. This area is known as Waterman Flat, a late 19th-century stagecoach stop. The next 10 miles are farming fields and grazing lands of the Fopiano Ranch. The terrain is rolling and exposed – both to sun and wind.

Homesteaded in 1873, The Fopiano Ranch is known as a premier cattle ranch, rated at 350± head. It features 745± acres of irrigated hay fields and meadows, 6,000± acres of well managed timber and another 7,000± acres of outstanding rangeland. The Fopiano Ranch, is also home to a 1500+ herd of Rocky Mountain Elk.

At ~ mile 40, go right onto Highway 26. There is a bit of shoulder and traffic is mostly light, but a red blinky light is nice to have. The first 2 miles is a soft uphill, followed by a long sawtooth descent back into Mitchell. Although this section is 8 miles on a state highway, it goes fast. 20 to 30 minutes for most riders. The downhill provides some beautiful views to the west.