The most classic loop in the Ochoco National Forest is the Round Mountain / Lookout Mountain loop, just east of Prineville, OR. This can be split into Round Mt. only (loops or out-n-back), Lookout Mt. (best as a loop) or the Motherlode including both mountains. Riding both together in one day can take up to six hours for 30 miles with 5500′ of climbing. This singetrack riding is a very rewarding back country experience. The ride starts on pavement for the climb to Walton Lake (or you can shuttle this section), then turns to forest road and singletrack up over Round Mtn. and down to a short section of pavement near the saddle between Round Mtn. and Look Out Mtn., before climbing again on a gravel road to near Independence Mine and singletrack to the summit of Lookout Mtn. Big views and alpine wildflowers at the summit, before a steep, technical set of switchbacks down into the forest for a fast, long descent through old growth Ponderosa pine to the old guard station where you started. Includes some very steep sections and potential to run into horses, but few people in general. Need To Know Remoteness of the ride and the lack of cell reception means it's a long way out to get help if someone biffs, so ride carefully and give way to the hikers and horse. A pit toilet is available at the old guard station, but that's the last facility you'll have and water isn't generally available along the ride, so bring plenty. Not advisable to bring a dog, as it can be a hot ride and little to no water available. The old Independent Mine has been cleaned up in recent years, but some contamination undoubted remains, so don't drink the water in that vicinity as it's likely still toxic. Description All options begin at the old Lookout Mountain Guard Station at the base of Lookout Mt. and it's best to ride clockwise. So begin both ride options with a road climb – for Round Mtn. head left one-half mile above the Guard Station toward Walton Lake, for just Lookout Mtn. stay on that road to head to toward Mitchell. Round Mtn. Trail starts across the road from the entrance to Walton Lake. Take this trail up to the gravel service road, just below the summit of Round Mtn. (the summit itself has radio & cellular towers on it). Descend the service road a short distance to a trail on your right, then proceed on the trail heading South toward Lookout Mtn. The Round Mt. trail itself ends at a large, flat parking area in the saddle between the two mountains and very close to an abandoned mining village called “Independent Mine”. From the parking area, continue up the gravel road to just short of Independent Mine and the upper parking area on your left (east). At this point, a singletrack trail leads eastward and eventually up to the summit of Lookout Mtn. as described below. While there are multiple routes to the summit, the preferred route to the summit of Lookout Mt. continues east out of this upper parking area on a singletrack trail and climbs up to a scenic view, descends to cross Brush Creek, then climbs again to reach the summit of Lookout Mtn. where the site of an old FS lookout stood. All that is left at this site is a small rock wall. Several hundred yards below the summit to the Northeast in the trees is a Shelter hut, but the Lookout Mtn. trail stays on the long ridge line heading generally Northwest. In the first mile of this descent there is some significant exposure and technical, rocky sections. During the long descent there are three healthy climbs, the last one being the longest. The last stretch back to where you parked is fast and flowy. History & Background Lookout Mtn. and the Ochoco Mountains has a long history of mining, logging and grazing, but the remaining old growth Ponderosa pine forests are some of the most interesting and beautiful in Central Oregon. Lookout Mt is a great backcountry ski tour to the hut and summit when the snow conditions are good and particularly if the road into Big Summit Prairie has been plowed.