Tombstone Pass

Development Route / ~ Santiam Pass, Oregon / Published October 2024 / Version 0.2 / Directions

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Route:

Loop | 28 mi

Gain:

2,400 ft

Surface:

~ 75% Gravel / 10% Single-track / 15% Paved

Technical Difficulty:

Demanding

Max Gradient:

+20%

Sustained Gradient:

2% over 5 miles

Climb Ratio:

0.9

Effort:

3 (out of 5)

Navigation:

Attention Required

Locale:

Remote

Tire Suggestion:

45 mm+

eBike Friendly:

Tombstone Pass got its ghastly name from a tragedy in 1871. The Santiam Wagon Road was a major conduit over the Cascades, and Tombstone Pass was the beginning of the Seven Mile Hill (downhill) for travelers heading west toward the Willamette Valley. While stopping overnight to camp with his family, 18-year-old James McKnight was accidentally shot as he retrieved his gun from between two bedrolls. His grieving mother placed a tombstone in his honor.

This ride climbs up to Tombstone Pass on a mix of gravel and paved roads and a bit of single-track. From there, you follow the Old Santiam Wagon road, ride through a forest of old-growth trees, pass by historic Fish Lake and then catch a bit of the wide, flowy McKenzie River trail as you circumnavigate the west side of Clear Lake, ultimately bringing you back to Clear Lake Resort.

There may be treefall, so please report it in the comments section if you encounter it. Include pictures and lat/long.

We have ridden this entire route, and it is wonderful! However, we have yet to secure the funding and resources to fully document the ride, thus the Development Route tag. If you do give the route a go, please leave a comment about your experiences in the comments block.

Map

Brown = gravel / dirt road

Blue = single track

Red = paved road

Purple = paved bike path

GPX Download

Ride Details

When We Like to Ride This

Fall (i.e. October) when the colors explode. Spring when Fish Lake is full of water.

Terrain & Riding

The West Cascade Mountains are characterized by steep, heavily forested slopes. At lower elevations, Douglas-fir and western hemlock are most common, while higher up, Pacific silver fir, mountain hemlock, and subalpine fir take over. At the highest points alpine meadows and rocky areas appear.

The terrain is largely volcanic in origin, with deep river valleys carved through the mountain ranges, often containing lakes and streams due to heavy precipitation in the region.

Leading out of the parking lot at Clear Lake, it is a STEEP opening pitch on pavement, 8% average gradient for 0.5 miles with bursts of 12%+.

Starting at mile 15.5, the (majority of the) remainder of the route is a mix between double-track and single-track. Thus, the first half of the ride is uphill, but not technically demanding. The second half of the ride is mostly downhill, but technically demanding. Note that the route does not ride fast.

The Start

Clear Lake Day Use Area. Store (seasonal). Toilets.

Parking Pass Required: Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass, or Day-Use Pass ($9 as of summer of 2024). Day-Use pass can be purchased on site.

If the Day-Use Area parking is filled, an alternative spot to park is just across Highway 20. Exit the Day Use area and proceed as if you are exiting. But don’t turn onto the highway, go across it. Make shift dirt lot.

Lat / Long: 44.374468, -121.998787

Food & Water

~ mile 12 / Clear Lake Resort (seasonal)

Notes & Options

Route Notes

Share the trail. Around Clear Lake, especially on busy weekends, you should expect hikers along the trail.

Route Options

Hackleman Old Growth Hike
Not a ride option, but an after ride option. About

Comments

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

Help Make this Guide Better!

At Dirty Freehub, we believe the best routes are organic and driven by the riding community. This route and guide are still a work in progress, and we need your help to make them great!

Provide us with route feedback, both good and bad.

Let us know about points of interest and viewpoints,
Submit pictures and videos,
Suggest a best time to ride,
Let us know about a better or alternative option,
And tell us about your favorite place to go after the ride for a burger and beer.

Submit your feedback via the comments block (tab just above map).

Thanks!
Team Dirty Freehub

Love Where You Ride! Learn More

Maintaining the Old Santiam Wagon Road for biking is a challenging task. Each winter brings fresh fallen trees that need clearing. Consider joining a work party or supporting your local trails and recreation organization—these groups handle the hard work that keeps trails accessible. With government resources shrinking each year, your support is essential for preserving outdoor recreation like this. To learn more about how Dirty Freehub contributes to trail, road and recreation work, check out our efforts.

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