Old West Scenic Bikeway
Elevation Chart
Turn-by-Turn Directions (show)
| Start northeast on US-26 E/John Day Hwy | 13 miles (20956 meters) |
| Turn left onto NW Cozart Ave | 230 feet (70 meters) |
| Turn right onto Water Alley | 404 feet (123 meters) |
| Turn left onto NW Johnson Ave | 0.5 miles (827 meters) |
| Continue onto Dixie Creek Rd | 2.4 miles (3906 meters) |
| Turn right onto Co Rd 59/Dixie Creek Rd Continue to follow Co Rd 59 |
2.4 miles (3880 meters) |
| Continue onto National Forest Develop Rd 369 Trail | 2.4 miles (3801 meters) |
| National Forest Develop Rd 369 Trail turns slightly right and becomes National Forest Develop Rd 352 Trail | 0.7 miles (1061 meters) |
| Continue onto NF-301 | 0.3 miles (410 meters) |
| Continue northeast on US-26 E | 7.5 miles (12128 meters) |
| Turn left onto OR-7 N | 1.1 miles (1812 meters) |
| Turn left on Co Rd 20/Up Middle Fork Rd | 17.8 miles (28691 meters) |
| Continue northwest on Co Rd 20/Up Middle Fork Rd | 9.2 miles (14884 meters) |
| Continue northwest on Up Middle Fork Rd | 1.8 miles (2824 meters) |
| Continue northwest on Up Middle Fork Rd | 0.2 miles (399 meters) |
| Continue onto Co Rd 20 | 11 miles (17718 meters) |
| Head south on US-395 S | 12.9 miles (20805 meters) |
| Turn right on OR-402 W/Kimberly-Long Creek Hwy/Long Creek Kimberly Rd | 17.6 miles (28374 meters) |
| Head west on OR-402 W/Kimberly-Long Creek Hwy/Long Creek Kimberly Rd | 9.7 miles (15659 meters) |
| Continue southwest on OR-402 W/Kimberly-Long Creek Hwy/Long Creek Hwy | 7.4 miles (11988 meters) |
| Head south on OR-19 S/John Day Hwy | 18.4 miles (29680 meters) |
| Head east on US-26 E/John Day Hwy | 29.8 miles (47887 meters) |
| Continue south on Mountain Blvd | 184 feet (56 meters) |
Here’s a rugged piece of the Old West that you can check out by bike – a route spectacular enough to be designated an Oregon Scenic Bikeway. This two- to three-day route offers a cornucopia of terrain and scenery, from rushing rivers to hot springs to fossil beds – and some attention-getting climbs.
Start in John Day – the biggest town around these parts – heading east on Highway 26 through picturesque Prairie City, after which you’ll ascend to the turnoff at Austin Junction. Here you’re on truly rural backroads, passing through the tiny but friendly Long Creek, Monument and Kimberly before heading south to the John Day Fossil Beds, where you reconnect with Highway 26 back to John Day, through Dayville and Mt. Vernon.
This works well as a two-day or a three-day trip; there are three state parks, five other campgrounds and two bike hostels along the route.
Motorized Vehicle Traffic: Light on the backroads; moderate on the main highways
Seasons: Spring through fall
Download a turn-by-turn cue sheet of the route: Old West Scenic Bikeway Cue Sheet
Download a detailed map of the route: Old West Route Map
The Grant County Chamber of Commerce is happy to help you find services and attractions along this route. Visit their website or call them at 541-575-0547.
Order a free copy of the Oregon Scenic Bikeway map, which details the nine official Oregon Scenic Bikeways as of August 2012.
Comments
-
This route takes you through gorgeous country, with climbing enough to be challenging. We have a guest ranch on the Middle Fork that is a good base camp for this ride. Check out bouldercreekranch.net and then let us help you get on the road. Heck, I might even ride with you for a time.
Posted by Les Zaitz on January 4th, 2012
-
I’d consider doing that ride if not for hwy 26. Even on a Sunday, the traffic is thick, and they roll down windows to shout obscenities. Bummer, dude.
Posted by knurly on May 12th, 2012
-
Just completed this ride. Great trip. Everyone was so helpful and friendly along the way. Kudos to Christie at the Austin House Cafe who opened up for us on their day off to provide hot coffee and blackberry cobbler to warm us up as there had been a little snow over Dixie Mtn. Thanks Again!
Posted by MSinclair on June 22nd, 2012
-
Completed this ride July 4. Started at Bates S.P. and rode to Big Bend BLM Camp Ground on Day one. Everyone we met was friendly, traffic was light and drivers waved at us as they passed. Day two we rode to Prairie City and met friendly people, courteous drivers (even on HWY 26). The shoulder is a bit narrow at times, but be aware of your surroundings and all is great. Stopped at Kimberly Orchards for some fresh fruit for breakfast – amazing apricots and locally made cheese and beef stick! Finished the ride with the big hill climb up Dixie and a cruise into Bates. Great Trip.
Posted by PaulS. on July 23rd, 2012
-
The BIKE INN just off hwy 26 in Mt Vernon (0.4 miles north of the Hwy 26/Hwy 395 junction) is a great place to start and end from. The BIKE INN is available by donation as a hostel for cyclists. There is a shower, towels, full kitchen, breakfast items, beds, pillows, bedding. Contact crheu@ortelco.net.
Feeds
Facebook Fan Page
Follow Us on Twitter
Foursquare Travel Tips
