High Cascades Overnighter

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Bend, OR, US

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Dawn Rae + Rob Knoth

Adventurous bikepacking routes for families

120 km

2.095 m

Singletrack bliss covering everything from the high desert to mountain lakes. This route is a great tour of some of the mountain biking options in the Bend area.

Some areas can be fairly loose and rocky. Fat tires are a plus. Water is available year-round at Happy Valley and the lakes, but absent everywhere else. Ride prepared.

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The High Cascades Overnighter is pure singletrack bliss covering everything from the high desert to mountain lakes.  This route is a great tour of some of the mountain biking options around Bend, Oregon.  Pack a fly rod, some fat tires, and a sense of adventure.Best tackled late summer - snow will last until mid/late July.  Mosquitos - your mileage will vary.  Great wild camps throughout the route.  Take your time and soak it up, or power through in one go.

# The Route

Leave from the Northwest corner of Bend, and start the singletrack from Shevlin Park, along Tumalo Creek (which you'll cross again, just a few thousand feet higher).  The first trail you ascend is the @slice[Mrazek](d,4039.02,29133.59) - a gorgeous gentle flowing trail that's as fun up as down.

The Mrazek ends after 18 miles and 2.5k of climbing.  Here, the route turns to a @slice[rolling, climbing dirt road above Happy Valley (NF 370)](d,31956.35,35736.41).  An alternate would be to ride the Met-Win to Flagline and stay on singletrack.  I prefer the views and variety on the road.  At 20 miles, the route crosses Tumalo Creek (again), and this is an excellent place for @poi[year-round water access](14186269).

Rejoin the @slice[Metolius-Windigo singletrack party](d,35736.41,40574.12) at mile 22.  From here, the landscape is an amazing high alpine scene with creek crossings, meadows, and towering volcanic sentinels.  One of the most beautiful places in the Bend area.

Leave the Met-Win at mile 25, and @slice[countour around the edge of Tumalo Mountain](d,40574.12,43759.2), crossing Century Drive and through the Mount Bachelor parking lot.  The trail @point[picks up again near the Nordic area](d,45547.05).

From here, it drops through a @slice[lava-rock playground down to the far southern end of Sparks Lake, skits Hosmer Lake, and both Lava Lakes](d,45017.21,66021.68), before turning west to climb back across the flank of Mt. Bachelor.  This @slice[climb and descent on the Edison-Lava trail](d,66160.98,78505.94) can be pretty steep and loose.

Leaving Edison Snowpark, cross Road 45, and enter a different landscape.  The route climbs @slice[Dinah Moe Humm](d,80914.51,90601.62) to spectacular views of Bachelor, the Sisters, and Broken Top.  Merge onto the upped end of @slice[Tyler's Traverse](d,90727.92,100149.55), and drop down to enjoy some beautiful (and well earned) downhill miles.  Who says you can't get big air on a loaded bike?

Finish off by connecting up @slice[Catch and Release](d,100149.55,107524.86) with your choice of route through @slice[Phil's Trail Complex](d,108043.52,117121.2).

Enjoy a post ride coffee at [Sparrow Bakery](http://www.thesparrowbakery.net/), pizza and beer at [Bend Pizza Kitchen](http://www.bendpizzakitchen.com/), or wine at [Portello](http://www.portellowinecafe.com/).

# More resources

* [Bendtrails](http://bendtrails.com/) - up to date trail conditions
* [NOAA Weather at Mt. Bachelor](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.9793&lon=-121.6884#.XUyhPpNKi3A) - Not the same as the weather in town...
#
# Important Reminders

Bend, and much of the West Coast, is really a high desert environment.  Be respectful of fires, leave no trace, and keep off the fragile single track when wet.  Leave it better than you found it.

# Thanks
Thanks to [Fatback Bikes](https://fatbackbikes.com/) for making fine adventure machines to help explore the world.

***Note: Now also published as a local overnighter route on [Bikepacking.com](https://bikepacking.com/routes/high-cascades-overnighter/)***

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High Cascades Overnighter

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