North Star

This ride starts at Good Bike Co. LLC on HWY 26. 284 NE 3rd St. Prineville, OR 97754, across the street from the Historic Crook County Courthouse and next door to the Sandwhich Factory. Be sure to grab an extra tube, some energy food, or a quick cup of coffee before heading out on this stellar ride through the Ochocos.

You will head North on Main Street. Main quickly climbs out of the Prineville Valley and past two remaining Lumber Mills in Prineville. Main will eventually trend slight right and turns into McKay Creek Rd.

McKay begins to climb more and more as you pass gorgeous farm and ranch land and head deeper into the forest. The ranch and farm property you pass through contains locally grown and raised products, meats, vegetables, honey, dairy, eggs, flowers, herbs, cheese and much more. All of this with great panoramic views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Hood, Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, and the entire Cascade Mountain Range.

At mile 12.5 you will be at your first junction within the National Forest. This is where the pavement ends and the gravel begins. Turn right on NF33. Along this next stretch as you work upwards toward Harvey Gap you will be rewarded with wild flowers, flowing McKay Creek, rock formations, and deep canyons.

Around mile 20 you will have been challenged with the final climb of this ride as you reach Harvey Gap, elevation 4,735', total elevation gain of 2,847'.

At mile 24 you will take a right hand turn at the junction of the Mill Creek Wilderness and Wildcat Campground. Here is a good spot for a picnic along the river or a place to stay if you prefer established campgrounds with bathrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits.

Near mile 27 you will see a fantastic formation towering out of the forest. Here Steins Pillar rises 200' from the valley floor and is worth a rest and possibly a short hike if you have extra time and energy in the bank.

At mile 29.5 you will be back on pavement and quickly moving through lush farm and ranch land as you head South on Mill Creek Rd. Only 5 miles to go to get to HWY 26 and your first view of Ochoco Reservoir. Now you can grind out the last 9 miles back into Prineville or take a rest at the reservoir where you can cool off and relax before heading back into town. End your ride at Good Bike Co. where you originally embarked for this ride.

I recommend having a post ride lunch at Tastee Treat on 3rd St. or at Solstice Brewing. You can also enjoy a pint of local craft beer (currently serving Boneyard Beer and Solstice Brewing) at the bike shop or a hot cup of coffee or tea.

• Tire size 28-40
• Gravel Bike, Mountain Bike, or Bikepacking Bike
• Consider a camping option and possibly integrating more miles within the forest
• Bowman Museum, Ochoco Reservoir, Prineville Reservoir, Crooked River, Smith Rock State Park are just a few of the many other area attracions in and around Prineville