Oregon Timber Trail Race

July 12 2025

Modoc National Forest CA

Date Confirmed

Distances: 300, 700 miles

Difficulty: Difficult terrain with longer, steeper hills

The Oregon Timber Trail Race and Tour is an unofficial bikepacking event with no entry fees, no prizes, and no support. It begins July 12 at 8:00 AM.

The event takes place on the 700-mile-long Oregon Timber Trail, a majority singletrack route that runs the length of Oregon from the California border to the Washington border. This year’s event has two versions. The shorter is about 300 miles long and riders will face the rugged southernmost portion of the trail. It starts near the California border and ends in Oakridge, one of the Pacific Northwest’s more popular mountain bike scenes. The longer version is 700 miles and riders will continue north from Oakridge, making their way to the end of the trail in Hood River, also a noted mountain biking hub.

Some riders may want to race this event in a self-supported mode similar to the norms of the Arizona Trail Race and Colorado Trail Race. Others may want to ride and share with other bikers in touring mode. Touring doesn’t necessarily mean slow and racing doesn’t always mean fast. Pick something that works for you.

Fifty eight percent of the 300 event is challenging singletrack. Gravel and dirt roads make up 28 percent of the route and the remainder is pavement with little traffic. The route is 306 miles long and includes 28,000 feet of climbing. The 700 event is 52% singletrack and 28% is gravel and dirt roads. The route is 692 miles and includes 69,000 feet of climbing.

The event starts just north of the California border and riders head north on the Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail, west along the Fremont National Recreation Trail, and eventually follow the iconic Middle Fork Willamette Trail into Oakridge, where the 300 option ends. There’s only one supply point along the way and water sources are limited. Those continuing on from Oakridge face a thrashing on the Bunchgrass Trail. From then on most of the singletrack miles to Hood River are fun and flowy. Civilization is closer at hand for the 400 miles beyond Oakridge but the adventure still promises many hours of solitude and beauty.

Early July brings sunshine and agreeable temperatures to this part of Oregon. It is the narrow window between when the snow has melted in the high country and wildfire season starts to kick in.

The Oregon Timber Trail is challenging because of all the singletrack riding, the amount of climbing, and the need to navigate effectively. It is similar to the Arizona Trail but without the many thorns, rocks, and rattlesnakes. The OTT is more isolated, more rugged, and more beautiful (we think). The locals are more charming too.

This isn’t an organized or sanctioned event. It’s simply a group out to ride their bikes on the same route at the same time.

Oregon Timber Trail Race