Morgan Butte - Chewaucan River Loop

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Paisley, OR, US

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Route Overview

Zach's Bikes

Bicycle Retailer and Service Center

34 mi.

3,341 ft.

A bite-sized portion of the massive Fremont National Recreation Trail, this loop showcases stunning landscapes that will make you feel like you’re starring in your own western movie. The ride is about more than just the views, though, as the nine-mile descent drops you down a rustic piece of singletrack into a remote river valley.

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Route Details

# Route Details
The [Fremont National Recreation Trail](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/fremont-winema/recreation/hiking/recarea?recid=70808&actid=51) is a monster of a ride at 135 miles, but that’s only the half of it: severe weather, isolation, and the need for advanced wayfinding make it one of the more difficult, and rewarding, trails you can ride. Before you tackle the entire route, use the Morgan Butte - Chewaucan River Loop to familiarize yourself with riding in the unique environment of south-central Oregon.

Starting in the town of Paisley allows you to provision yourself for the adventure ahead. Rolling south on Highway 31 for about nine miles will bring you to the @slice[meat of the climb](d,14587.59,27031.16) up to Morgan Butte; it’s a long pull but the awesome scenery will help distract you. You’ll crest at 7,200’, where you can scramble up the stairs of the @poi[Morgan Butte fire lookout](5389864) to enjoy an unrestricted 360’ view that includes Mt. Shasta more than 100 miles to the southeast.

You’ve made it to the top and now it’s payback time. The descent rolls northward and picks up a bit of everything along the way, from chunky rocks to high-speed pine-needle drifts. You’ll have the trail to yourself as you surf the terrain deep into the valley below. With open views to the north, west, and south, you’ll want to stop for photos but the trail will beg you to keep rolling, eventually dropping you out of the trees and into the brushy terrain above the Chewaucan River.

You’ll cross the river and head back north towards town. Although this @slice[stretch of road is paved](d,43092.93,55496.34) you won’t be disappointed, as the highway hugs the bottom of the narrow river valley, descending at a slight grade into Paisley. After a full day in the desolate backcountry you’ll feel like a parched cowboy of yore, ready to get your fill of warm food and cool beverages, perfect fuel as you make plans to tackle the entire Fremont National Recreation Trail.

Part of the OTTA.

## Riding Season
Spring through fall.

Morgan Butte - Chewaucan River Loop

Route Overview

Route Details

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