I have received several questions about riding loops out of Sunriver and I will post some of mine here. Please respond with other loops.
Blackrock Loop (approx. 1:15 hrs): A short, flatish 12 mile loop. Cross the train tracks behind Owners' Storage as shown on the map. A trail will lead to 700 and then 4001 which will take you to Lava Lands parking lot. Access Blackrock from west side of parking lot (well marked). Ride Blackrock to the end and take Benham Falls trail back to Sunriver. (Note: for those who want a little extra, incorporate the the 1 mile road to the top of Lava Butte and enjoy the great views)
Larsen to Storm King to DRT (approx. 2 hrs): My favorite two
hour ride from Sunriver. A 22 mile route with an 800 ft climb in the
first seven miles followed by fifteen miles of moderate downhill (bottom
of t-winks and storm king) and a beautiful, flatish finishing stretch
(DRT). Start at Cardinal bridge and then up 280 to 4130. Access Larsen
off of 4130 as indicated on map and take it to tiddlywinks then to
Storm King. From Storm King take the road to Aspen then ride back to
Sunriver on the Deschutes River Trail. Here is the garmin tape: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/106212386
Around Kiwa Butte (approx. 3 hrs): a 27 mile route with a 1500 ft climb on fire roads for the first ten miles followed by seventeen miles of downhill (t-winks) and flatish single track (storm king + DRT). Start at Cardinal bridge up 280 to 4130 to 4133. 4133 intersects Kiwa Butte Trail (well marked) on the western side of Kiwa Butte. Take Kiwa Butte to Tiddlywinks and then to Storm King. From Storm King take the road to Aspen then ride back to Sunriver on the Deschutes River Trail. Here is the garmin tape: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/105474166
You can ride this loop to Funner which is slightly longer (30 miles total) by following t'winks to the Wanoga trailhead and then catching Funner. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/360474440.
If you have all day (approx. 4 hrs): A forty mile loop with 3000 ft. of cumulative elevation gain, great views, and a fun, technically challenging downhill on Funner. Start at Cardinal Bridge and then up 280 to 4140 to 4180 to 4188 and arrive at Edison Snopark. From Edison take Dinah Moe Humm trail (trail head well marked) and eventually intersect Tiddlywinks on the north side of Kiwa Butte at which point go left toward Wanoga Snopark. From Wanoga take Funner to Storm King and then return to Sunriver on the Deschutes River Trail. Here is the garmin tape: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/110865659
Thanks for posting this. Will be trying it out today!
ReplyDeleteWould I be able to ride any of these trails with a bike trailer?
ReplyDeleteThe easiest with a trailer would be the Blackrock loop listed above. Flat with some rocky sections, but generally navigable. I'd start there.
DeleteThank you for the terrific map. Are the roads between the Cardinal Landing Bridge and Conklin Rd suitable for riding a cross bike? Not sure how firm the surface is. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, the FS 280 Road is more than suitable for a cross bike
ReplyDelete280 was wonderful! Thanks. Now, if you could do something about the washboard on Conklin . . .
DeleteThank you very, very much. Some of our roads/trails can be pretty deep soft dust.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!! I cant wait to try these rides!!! Ive been coming to Sunriver since 1977 and have never mountain biked there! You rock
ReplyDeleteFirst, this is awesome, thank you for this resource! I hope you still check this post. If you do, I have a gravel and road bike and will be going to sunriver in a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteWould this route be doable on a gravel bike: 1) Go through the resort to the northern end; 2) hit the Deschutes River Trail to Benham East; 3) ride the MTB trail to Benham Falls; 4) ride the paved road until FS400; 5) get on 280 to cross Cardinal Bridge. So doable on a gravel bike? Is the FS400 section you state is closed on your map, now open?
If FS400 isn't open, I can loop the ride on road except the part from Benham East to Benham Falls (come back on Conklin). But than could I just bring a road bike and make it through the Banham parts or do I still need my gravel bike?
Again, thanks for you help already. Thanks for any additional help.
Thanks for your inquiry. Related to your first question, there are two segments that you should consider further. First, the Benham Falls Trail is really a mountain bike trail and has stretches with rocks and roots that would require walk-around on a gravel bike. You might consider taking the paved pathway to Benham Falls if you want a stable, predictable ride. Second, the 400 road has been permanently removed, so you would have to ride the gravel road from Benham Falls to Conklin Rd and then down the 280 to the Cardinal Bridge.
DeleteTo address your second question about road bike, please note that Conklin Rd and 280 are gravel roads and not suitable for bikes less sturdy than a cyclocross set-up or similar. The paved pathway from Circle 7, which you can ride to either Benham Falls or Lava Lands, is great for road bikes.
The following video on YouTube "WeAB0ybKL0o" will give you a visual of the Benham Falls Trail so you can decide for yourself.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the quick reply. I hope you enjoy your summer of riding!
ReplyDelete