Brundage Ski Resort in the Summer, riding fun!

We had a fun time over the Summer of 2011 once Derek recovered from the trauma of breaking his wrist. Brundage is a really cool place to ride, lift assisted. They have all kinds of trails, camping in the area. Music festivals, MTB races. It is a riding paradise in the summer. Miles of trails all over the place. Rode with Brian and Mandi, but didn't ride the DH trails they did. We had the fun on the cross country trails.

McKenzie River Trail

So we went for a ride in Oregon. My first trip there ever. It was entertaining.

We drove from Boise, Idaho to Blue River, Oregon. We stayed in a clean place, not the best place and definitely not the worst place we have stayed at on our mountain biking adventures.

We saw a special on Living Social for three nights and two days of shuttled mountain biking the McKenzie River Trail. Before I get ahead of myself, I have to say, the place was okay, but I would recommend this other place we saw a little closer to the lower trailhead that looked a bit nicer. Cabins on the River was the name of that place or some thing like that. The other thing that I would also say is the place we did stay at does offer shuttle services regardless of where you stay.

I do recommend staying in a cabin, cottage, camper or such if you do this ride. Reason being, this ride is tough. You will want a hot shower, ability to make a delicious dinner (ie a kitchen) and a nice bed when the you have finished eating and your eyelids start getting heavy. You will definitely of earned a nice relaxing evening.

Now on to the trail and the scenery....

We dropped our car off at the end of the trail near the McKenzie River Ranger Station and the shuttle took us to the upper trailhead a few miles from Clear Lake. We checked our bikes over one more time, got our gear on and started down the trail.

The first thing that the trail does is heads over a bridge, but there isn't any water under it, just a lava rock river bed that is dry.

Then the fun begins and you are entering the old growth forest on a rolling trail.

After a couple of miles you find yourself at an intersection and you have to decide which way you want to go around Clear Lake.

Here is where we checked out the trail that goes around to the lava side of Clear Lake and made the decision to go on the "resort" side.

From what we could see and what people told us the lava side is not a fun direction to ride. The lava side of the lake as it finishes going around the lake is paved. We hike the paved path the next day, it is only about 18 inches wide and it does not look very fun to ride, trust me when I say that.

After the lake you cross US Route 20. This is the only place the trail crosses the main route. You then have to take the trail on the right side of the river. This goes over some rough terrain through here and there are a few hike a bike sections.

The good thing though about this is that the trail passes some of the more spectacular scenery while on the McKenzie River Trail. You ride past Sahalie Falls as seen to the left here. This waterfall is approximately a 120 ft. fall. The mist in the area is refreshing and makes the hike-a-bike sections very doable.

And Koosah Falls is the next falls along the trail, it's approximately 90 ft tall.

To get to the falls you have to go over a few obstacles....

But then you get to finally see Koosah Falls. It is worth the ride that is for sure!

There is another set of waterfalls and many rapids along the route. The mist is keeping the temperatures down, that and those tall trees of the old growth forest that is surrounding you along the way.

The section along the waterfalls is really rough and unridable to most people, myself and Derek included. After the falls you pass Carmen Reservoir and then head off into some rolling terrain. This gives away back to a lava field, which is rideable in many places for good stretches. As you get closer to the Blue Pool (aka Tamolitch Pool) the trail is very technical and the lava is unforgiving if you fall. I was wishing that Derek and I were able to find elbow and knee guards for riding this section.

The Blue Pool is 36 degrees. The water is amazingly clean and clear. It is a pool at the bottom of what should be the river flowing over a cliff, however the water surfaces up from below, the river went underground till here.

For about a little less than a mile after the pool this ride is more of a hike.

Then the trail becomes this roller coaster that you pick up speed and the permanent grinning begins as you fly through the woods. There are still rocks and roots to go over, logs and bridges too, but from here on out it is rolling green woods and fun.

We failed to take pictures from this point on because we gave in to the urge to enjoy the speed. After the pool and this picture you cross Deer Creek and a few dirt roads that go through the woods.

Belnap Springs are the next point that you pass, if you want to go to the springs it is not on the trail, you have to take a detour to the springs. From what I have read they are not that great to see and are not that warm, but I don't know for certain any of this information is true since we didn't take a side trip to them.

At this point there are some more log bridges to cross before you finish the 26.5 mile ride. You end at your car that you left that morning. For us the ride took 6 hours to finish. We were tired by the end. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Would we do it again? Heck yeah! If you go, pack lots of snacks and a lunch. Bring lots of water and make sure that you drink it! You'll need it all!

If you go let me know what you think of the ride!

A recent ride here in the Treasure Valley of Idaho!