OTT Take 2: Day 1: Oakridge to Gold Lake
In 2018 a crew of six of us took on the first part of the OTT from the Southern Terminus to Oakridge. Originally my plan was to continue the whole thing that year, but due to mechanicals and injuries and overall feeling of defeat, I knew it was not the year for me to complete the entire thing.
In 2019, we gathered once again to conquer the beast that is the OTT. This time, we spent a couple of days as part of the OTT Stewardship Trail Work crew to work on part of Bunch Grass trail, which is one of the most notorious sections in the entire route. It was a blast hanging out with Gabe and crew for a bunch of work, a little riding/hiking, and tons of good food. The stewardship work parties are an essential part of the health and well being of the OTT. If you ever have the chance to help out with one, I would highly suggest it. Check out the Oregon Timber Trail website for details about when they will be holding future work parties!
Karey (UL), Bill (UR), Aliza (LL) Deann (LR)
After a couple of days working on the trail, we were dusty, sweaty and very sore, and so it began: our trek toward Hood River, the northern terminus of the OTT. Our goal was to make it in 15 days. After trying to tackle a lot of extremely long, extremely difficult days in the past year, I think we were all a little scarred, so we were fairly conservative with the mileage each day so that it was challenging, but enjoyable (for the most part).
Bunchgrass starts with some semi-technical riding including some very loose dry dirt, rocky patches, off camber sand and portions of the trail that had not been cut back yet. Despite the rough spots, I felt very grateful for the trail work that had been done thus far, because it probably would have taken us at least an hour longer to get through there if we hadn’t just done the work. We got a late start that day after some false starts and the typical yard-sailing that happens as every body Is gettin their gear settled in. Around mid-day in all its sunshine and heat, we got to the “Goat Trail” area of Bunchgrass which consists of big rocks, super steep ascents, loose dirt, roots. We took turns helping each other push our bikes up the hill to save time and energy. If I had been alone, I would have had to un-pack my bike and haul the packs up separately, and it would have taken A LOT of time!
The clearing at the top over looks Diamond Peak and the view was rewarding and (almost) worth the effort to get there. It’s moments like these that help me remember why I adventure like this. The pain and agony of getting up over that hill is quickly hushed when the glory of the top is reached. And it is with this, that we do it again and again. This was one of the moments that was a little sentimental for me - looking out over the majecstic forest and the mountains - I took a mental snapshot (as well as a real one) of the view to keep it with me always. I was headed out for Arizona for a new chapter in life later that summer and this was my final Oregon hurrah for a while.
Overlook to Diamond Peak on Bunchgrass Road: a much needed rest stop
The section after the “Goat Trail” turned into an off camber, side winding narrow trail that required much push. bike - much more than anticipated, which says a lot, because we were expecting a lot of push a bike. The meadow was grown over the trail so it was difficult to see. I tumbled a couple of times due to clipped pedals on the invisible rocks below. So, after much crashing, cussing, and frustration we finally got through that and into some rocky single track - which meant more pushing for me. A couple members of our crew were able to ride more than me, so I wouldn’t say it was unrideable - just more challenging. Shortly after that section, we hit a bunch of downed logs. Up and over and up and over for quite a while led us to snow fields which were too slick and soft to ride through. Bill ended up post-holing while he walked his bike and hurt his knee, but fortunately was able to keep riding.
FINALLY! We bombed down the most amazing single track goodness all the way to the campsite at Gold Lake. This was, by far, the best way to end a day filled with Type 2 Fun. The lake was beautiful and serene (though home to many mosquitos). We were all pooped so we made a cozy fire and some dinner and we were off to bed, looking forward to The up and down of the day to come.
Dinner, sunset and conversation at Gold Lake
