Ride Overview

Uncover the hidden treasures of Oregon’s Old Cascade Crest, nestled within the Northern Sector of the Willamette National Forest. This remote and pristine mountain biking destination, just an hour from Bend, promises unforgettable experiences for riders seeking raw and rugged terrain.

OCC North:

Begin your journey on the Old Cascade Crest North, tracing the historic crest of the Cascade Mountain Range. Start near Scar Mountain and ascend to breathtaking peaks, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

Gordon Peak Trail:

Descend along the scenic Gordon Peak Trail, where gradual slopes and remote areas provide a unique riding experience. Traverse ancient forests and cross boundaries, immersing yourself in pristine natural surroundings.

Pyramid Creek Crossing:

Refresh and rejuvenate at Pyramid Creek, cooling off in its crystal-clear waters before continuing your adventure. Explore nearby swimming holes and dare to take a plunge from a 30-foot diving board.

Crescent Mountain Summit:

Conquer the historic summit of Crescent Mountain, adorned with remnants of an old fire lookout and steeped in the rich history of Cascade Mountain exploration. Experience thrilling descents through meadows and dense forests, culminating in a celebration of an extraordinary day on the trails.

Weekend Adventure:

Combine both North and South routes for a comprehensive weekend adventure, exploring the best of the Old Cascade Crest over two exhilarating days of riding. Discover the hidden gems of this radical landscape and create lasting memories with your fellow riders.

Trip Details:

  • Duration: 10 hours pick up to drop
  • Trail Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced.
  • Recommended for: Adventurous riders seeking a unique mountain biking experience on the Old Cascade Crest. Explore this remote and rugged terrain and immerse yourself in the beauty of Oregon’s backcountry.
2024 TRIP DATES:
7/6
1 Day Guided Trip

$149

Per Person / Per Day
BOOK NOW

Distance

(per day)

Ascent: 4,258’
Decent: 7,272’
Estimated Mileage: 19

Day Trip Includes:

  • Professionally guided tour of remote single track
  • Shuttles

Meeting Spot 

Lava Lake Snow Park
Shuttle Departure : 9:00 AM 
Please arrive 15 minutes early.

Ride Description

The Old Cascade Crest is one of Oregon’s most remote and raw places to Mountain Bike, located in the Northern Sector of the Willamette National Forest.  Nestled right next to the Middle Santiam Wilderness, the OCC in total is a 42 mile backcountry lollipop just an hour from Bend Oregon.  This area was site of the 2017 Trans-Cascadia MTB race, split in half, we ride the Old Cascades Crest South on Saturday and Old Cascades Crest North on Sunday.  These two days are the best combination of riding in this area.

OCC North is a beautiful day on the bike, exploring the actual Old Crest of the Cascades, the highest point of the Cascade Mountain Range some 1 million years ago.  We’ll begin our day by getting dropped off near Scar Mountain.  We’ll climb our way to the jagged high point and an outstanding view of an outstanding slice of the Cascade Mountain Range.  From here we meander up and down the ridgeline until we get to our junction for the Gordon Peak Trail. 

From this junction we begin Gordon Peak trail and have a nice gradual descent as we begin, allowing for some playful riding a nice warmup for our massive descent to the valley floor.  The Gordon Peak trail is unique as it shares a wilderness boundary line and offers a remote and pristine trail experience, Big old growth trees and copious amounts of Duff.  This side of the system is a place not many people visit.  At the valley floor, we’ll take off our shoes and ford pyramid creek, a shallow but wide crossing that’ll cool the feet.  We’ll hop back on our bike for a ride back up to our shuttle pick up.  We have the choice along the way to checkout one of our favorite swimming holes, and a solid 30 foot diving board for those brave enough to walk the plank.  At our shuttle pick up, we’ll have our cooler with food and beverages and we can replenish the system for our last and final piece of the ride up and over Crescent Mountain. 

From lunch we get a nice little shuttle bump to skip some of the climb to our summit of Crescent Mountain.  We have a solid hour to hour and a half climb to get to our high point, an old fire lookout with remnants from generations of Cascade Mountain Adventurers.  From here, we’ll descend all the way down the South Side of Crescent, traveling through meadows and old growth trees and a strip of dirt so inspiring it makes you tear up.  Some high fives and a Drink, we’ll discuss the day and remember how Good It was!  A good way to experience this area is by riding both North and South on this weekend.  It’s a solid two days of riding and a great way to see this radical area.   

Old Cascades Crest

39° Humidity:28% Clouds:100% Wind (NNW):43mph overcast clouds
Tuesday, 03/19 37°FWednesday, 03/20 38°FThursday, 03/21 44°FFriday, 03/22 33°FSaturday, 03/23 36°F