Maupin - Mack's Canyon Out n Back

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Wasco County, OR, US

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Route Overview

Imperial River Co.

Actively relaxing on the banks of the Deschutes River in Maupin, Oregon

52 mi.

1,799 ft.

A family-friendly easy ride along the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River. Mixed gravel and pavement with lots of camping and picnicking but no water. It's an Out & Back, so go as far as you want, then turn around and come back!

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Route Details

The Lower Deschutes River sits deep in its canyon, receives little rain & snow due to Mt. Hood's rainshadow, offers incredible wildlife viewing and world-class fishing in a remote part of Oregon only 2 hours from Portland.  What's better than that?  A mixed-medium access road following the river for 26 miles.  Perfect!

This route is relatively flat as it follows an old railroad bed.  There are both paved and gravel sections on this ride.  Make the ride exactly what you want; start anywhere on the Access Road, ride and/or camp, then ride back to your vehicle.  *The BLM is considering developing the section from Mack's Canyon to the confluence of the Deschutes & Columbia Rivers.  However, it is impassable now due, to many side canyon bridges being washed out.*

# Route

* Following the Deschutes River Access Road, park in Maupin and ride 9 *paved* miles to @photo[Sherar's Falls](1593137).  *Watch for fishermen on the platforms in Spring/Fall.*
* Take a slight @point[right on Hwy 216](d,13020.05), ride for 1/2 mile, then a @point[left on the *gravel*](d,13888.5) Deschutes River Access Road.
* Continue following the river, until a @slice[*paved* climb, then descent](d,17017.59,18206.44) over an unnamed "beavertail."  *Note the trestle photos ops @poi[here](1940537) and @poi[here](1940539).*
* Enjoy the last 15 miles of gravel to @photo[Mack's Canyon](1526102), the end of the road.
* At mile @point[15](d,29723.96), ride in to Beavertail Camground Road
 200 yards, stop & look for bighorn sheep.
* Turn around and ride back to Maupin or wherever your starting point was.

# Notes

* Rideable year-round, due to mild & dry weather and low elevation.  Best months are February through November.
* During July & August the @slice[paved Deschutes Access Road](d,234.25,10232.63) is busier with rafting traffic & buses.
* The town of Maupin has full services available. 
* There is no water on the route.  Pack all water or have a support vehicle.
* Campgrounds abound along this route, therefore, camping & riding from any point is a great option.
* Local [shuttle services](http://maupinoregon.com/shuttle-services-in-maupin/) are available and can make this ride even better!

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Maupin - Mack's Canyon Out n Back

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