It was the one trail I was told I had to do, to some locals, the best trail in Oregon. Further, Oakridge is considered to many in the local know, the best mountain biking town in Oregon.
Alpine starts out as a nice easy gentle pedal in Westfir upstream near the North Fork Middle Fork of the Willamette River for 2 miles through moss covered Douglas Fir, Cedars, Hemlocks and Alders with the bubbling rapids of the North Fork only feet away. A great break-in for my legs after the 10 hrs. ride yesterday.
I got great info from Richard at Willamette Mountain Mercantile-Oakridge Bike Shop.
He suggested to go past the 1910/1912 intersection to start on Jedi.
Right before the intersection I caught Scott and Allison from Vermont who were out West for work, same as I, and were checking the local scene out.
We had a little discussion weighting the benefits of heading up another mile to get on Jedi (Richard had given them the same advice as me) then after I gave Scott some gentle "old man" teasing, as Scott was about my age, we all three then headed up to Jedi and the rodeo started.
We started out riding through a light rain or a heavy mist as we cruised through a grove of Old Growth Douglas Fir. Like scenes out of The Hobbit.
Your truly posing with 4-500 year old tree.Thanks for snapping it, Scott.
Looking down into Westfir, Oakridge and Middle Fork of the Willamette River. As we increasingly dropped in elevation the weather got better and better.
Results of a burn.
By the time we got down, the sun came out. A beautiful day.
More burn scars.
Scotch broom in full force....but an invasive plant.Very aromatic, as well.
Famous covered bridge at Westfir.
Sure can't argue that it was one of the best trails I've been on....and Allison said it was the best she'd ever been on. In many ways it was so much more than about the bike...or whatever Lance said. Great scenery and very nice singletrack...the uphill was a a bit...ok, very boring, though.
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