Skull 120 Gravel Grind Race Route

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Burns, OR, US

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Renaissance Cyclist

Insights to Inspire Adventure, Stewardship & Community

199 km

2 858 m

Rugged | Remote | Adventure

Harney County is home to endless opportunity for the self-sufficient backcountry traveler. Visitors who seek challenge & solitude will find these in abundance.

The Skull 120 Gravel Grind route highlights the county's rugged character which sets rural #EasternOregon apart from the rest of the nation.

Skull 120 total mileage = 123
Gravel Surface = 63.6 / 52%
Natural Surface = 15.6 / 13%
Pavement = 43.4 / 35%
Elevation Gain = 9,737 ft.
Average Grade = 2.7%
Max Grade = 13.6%
Includes 32 Cattleguards

https://adventureharney.com

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***'A demanding, epic, amazing, scenic, tough, well-planned ride on the edge of nowhere.'***
*~ @photo[Seth Patla, Professional Cyclist for Ren Cycles & Multi-Year Sea Otter Champion](2945839)* 
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***'Adventure seekers, fun lovers, & endurance junkies should all take note: The Skull 120 is the real deal.'***
~ [*Eric Herboth, Portland Titanium*](http://redkiteprayer.com/2017/07/the-skull-120/)

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**[The Skull 120](https://www.adventureharney.com/)**  is home to one of the country's most grueling single-day-endurance #GravelGrind races... but you don't have to be a racer or a masochist to enjoy the ride.

Eastern Oregon’s vast high desert country is an adventure cyclist’s dream, with a network of thousands of miles of remote, traffic-free, interconnected roads, paths, & primitive trails circulating through almost 5 million acres of public lands administered by the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, & other Federal agencies.

If solitude & day-after-day of rugged gravel are what you're after, then you've come to the right place. The Skull 120 route is a tiny drop in the bucket of what riding is available to you in this part of the country & an excellent place to start exploring.

While Harney County is a veritable two-wheeled paradise, a bike park it is not. **Eastern Oregon is rough country.** @photo[Designations such as “gravel” are used more optimistically here than in the Midwest. ](2949421)

Purists will rejoice at the abundance of stereotypical grey rock roadbed along this ride, however, there are plenty of long stretches of rutted ranch path, cinder strewn dirt, rock slabs, & sections of trail that qualify as XC mountain bike courses.

@photo[**Dainty converted road bike builds with 28c tires & rim brakes need not apply.**](2949413)

The route traverses virtually every type of terrain an adventurous cyclist could hope for: down washboard roads snaking through forest; over desert jeep trails gently curving toward the horizon; through small rock gardens & dry stream beds; past spring fed wetlands & over vacant coyote dens; through nearly three dozen cattle guards & two stream crossings (one with an optional bridge); & all with nearly 10,000 feet of climbing.

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# CAMPING
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With the vast majority of this route tucked within the [**Malheur National Forest**](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD507499) & [**Bureau of Land Management**](https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington) (BLM) lands, you'll find no shortage of places to camp.

## CAMPGROUNDS

The following are developed campgrounds along the route:

* [**Idlewild**](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40054) - Rustic campground with adjacent trails, pit toilets & potable water. - @poi[View on Map.](4766810)

* **[Joaquin Miller Horse Camp](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40058)** - Rustic campground with pit toilets & potable water. - @poi[View on Map.](4766811)

* **[Yellowjacket](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=40082)** - Campground adjacent to Clemen's Reservoir. Located a few miles off main route on NF-3745; look for signs off NF-37. - @poi[View on Map.](4766798)

* **Burn's RV Park** - Campground with amenities located in the town of Burns. - @poi[View on Map.](4766807)

## DISPERSED CAMPING

Most National Forests & BLM lands offer cyclists the ability to load up their rigs & hit the road &/or trail & continue to ride continuously, day after day. Bikepackers & tourers are welcome to take advantage of dispersed camping opportunities in Harney County.

***No permits are required for dispersed camping within the Malheur National Forest or most Eastern OR BLM lands; simply follow these guidelines:***

* Camp 150 feet away from roads, trails, & sources of water such as lakes or streams.

* Camp more than a half mile away from designated developed campgrounds.

* Limit your stay to 30 days for any single dispersed site annually. Stay limits on forest are 45 days.

* Pack out all your trash & waste.

* When disposing of solid human waste, bury waste a minimum of 6 inches in the ground & pack out your toiletries (unless you're using the *all-natural* varieties: leaves, rocks, moss, etc.)

* [Be informed of & follow any active fire bans](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/home/?cid=fsbdev3_033802). Make sure all fires are dead out upon departure.

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# Important Reminders

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While touring in this region, come prepared; this area is exceptionally remote by most cyclist’s standards. Food, water, & mechanical assistance & supplies are scarce.

Burns does not currently have a bike shop. **Come prepared to handle your own mechanicals**. The nearest full service bike shop is located in Bend.

Pay attention to your water supply & be prepared to filter water. Even during the driest times of year one can still find water along this route, but the sources can be spread thin. @photo[Many springs run dry by mid/late summer.](2949408)

If you travel far from any major roads, you will likely find your cell phone to be of little use aside from cached maps & photographs.

Pay attention to the weather - **summer days can be exceptionally hot with cool/cold nights.** The upper sections of this route can still be snowed in well into June. Burns & surrounding area tends to be windy often as not. Strong headwinds can radically reduce anticipated travel times.

**Respect all private property signs** – there are many areas where the Forest as well as neighboring public land units intermingle like a patchwork quilt with private property. While many folks welcome cyclists within our community, most prefer their solitude & property rights respected. Respect all wildlife.

Respect fire bans & be aware of any potential wildfire hazards in the area. **This is fire country!** [Active Wildfires in Oregon.](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/38/)

[Follow Leave No Trace principles & outdoor ethics.](https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles)

## Additional Resources

Burns is a small, rural community. Be sure to stop by the following locations to learn more about what the region has to offer:
* @poi[**Harney County Chamber of Commerce**](4766802)
* @poi[**US Forest Service - Emigrant Creek Ranger District**](4766800)
* @poi[**Bureau of Land Management - Burns Office**](4766801)

The @poi[Owyhee Canyon Country](4768130), @poi[Steen's Mountains](4766803) ([Bikepacking Route](http://www.oregonbikepacking.com/portfolio-posts/steens-mountain/)) & @poi[Hart Mountain Elk Refuge](4766804) ([bikepacking route](http://www.oregonbikepacking.com/portfolio-posts/hart-sheldon-hot-springs-2/)) are AMAZING places for the adventurous bikepacker to explore 'nearby'!

[More on cycling the Malheur National Forest.](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/recreation/?cid=FSEPRD507499)

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#AdventureHarney	#Skull120	#EasternOregon	#GoPlay	#GravelGrind	#ItsAllYours	#Touring	#Bikepacking	#RideOregonRide	#TravelOR

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Skull 120 Gravel Grind Race Route

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