Oregon Trip Day 3 - Bike Dread and Terror

Riding the Dread and Terror segment of the North Umpqua Trail.

Our campsite was so dark and cold that we moved to the group site to get more sun.

04/17/15 Friday

The last time we were in Oregon, we saw a trail called “Dread and Terror” that we wanted to ride, but didn’t have time for. It’s part of the 79-mile North Umpqua Trail, an IMBA epic.

Dropping down from Road 700.

Dad shuttled us up to Road 700 so we could start part way down, because we didn’t want to ride the entire 17 miles from the top.

The second major blowdown.

The trail is much different from the McKenzie River Trail. It has a lot of short up-and-downs, and a lot of technical rocky sections.

There’s a trail in here somewhere.

There was also a bunch of large blowdowns.

There was a little exposure in places.

There was also some exposure, where a downhill fall would land you in the river in very bad shape.

The third major blowdown.

The North Umpqua cuts its way through a basalt canyon, so it stays narrow with steep sides.

Getting close to Surprise Falls.

Typically for Oregon, there is lots of mossy banks and water everywhere.

There was a washed-out bridge about two miles below the hot springs that forced us to backtrack to the road.

Columnar Falls

The trail was a lot harder than we expected. It’s a beautiful trail, but prepare to get on and off your bike a lot if you’re not in shape.

Oregon Trip Day 2 - Bike Dear Leap Trail

Riding the NUT (North Umpqua Trail).

Good morning, Sunshine!

04/16/15 Thursday

We spent the night at the Lake Toketee Campground, a primitive campground with lots and lots of shade.

Riding the Dear Leap segment.

We rode a short section of the Dear Leap segment of the North Umpqua Trail. The trail goes through the campground, and starts climbing as soon as you head west.

We only rode about six miles, but it had about 800’ of climbing.

Watson Falls

After the ride, we drove a few miles to see some nearby waterfalls. Just east of Lake Toketee is Watson Falls, the second (or third) highest waterfall in Oregon.

Top of the trail.

There’s a short trail to access a couple of viewpoints.

Anyone have some JB Weld?

Next, we walked the half-mile trail to Toketee Falls. There’s a large, exposed penstock below Lake Toketee that’s spraying leaks on the road.

Tree patio

You can’t hike to the base of Toketee Falls; instead, there is a viewing platform built around a tree above the falls.

Toketee Falls

I had never been to Toketee Falls, or even traveled on Highway 138. It’s a beautiful area.

Oregon Trip Day 1 - Drive to Toketee Lake

The viewpoint at Diamond Lake, looking at snowmobile tracks on Mt. Bailey.

04/15/15 Wednesday

We took off on a ten-day vacation in Oregon to see the folks and do some mountain biking.

There was still snow on the picnic tables from a storm that passed through two days ago.

The view of Mt. Thielsen from the rest stop.

Our first stop was a couple of days at the Lake Toketee Campground to ride a little bit of an epic trail, the North Umpqua Trail.

Clearwater Falls.

The drive along highway 138 is littered with waterfalls.

Clearwater Falls.

It’s always nice to come up from drought-stricken California to see something wet and green.

Whitehorse Falls.

We stopped at a few falls on the way and then met the folks at the campground.