MTB Project Logo

Great flow, great views, up and down but no long climbs.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

36.2

Miles

58.3

KM

100%

Singletrack

5,234' 1,595 m

High

4,405' 1,343 m

Low

3,530' 1,076 m

Up

3,532' 1,076 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Views

Overview

The flow never stops on this trail. As the name implies, it stays on the rim of a canyon, which is also the wilderness boundary (but not in the wilderness!). The trail actually goes on farther, but as it is shown here it turns around at the wilderness sign at Buck Mountain, but it will be a long ride if you do it here and back.

There are hundreds of miles of singletrack in the La Grande area, and this is just one of the the many good ones.

Need to Know

This trail has grown in popularity recently, especially for horseback riders. On Saturdays you might run into some but overall trail use is very low because of the low population density. Motorbikes also use it, but not that often and they've improved the flow and they cut out trees for us. If you go on a weekday you probably won't see anyone. Plan on bringing a healthy helping of water and snacks as this is a long ride that is often exposed to the sun.

Description

The ride basically goes like this: old growth forest flow, pop out on a ridge with a sweet view, wrap around to the treeless side of the ridge for a better view, repeat. Usually people start at Horseshoe Prairie trailhead or Andies Prairie Sno-Park (same entrance for both), and then they ride it to Nine Mile Ridge. From there, they double back to climb back up the trail or take the paved Summit Road back. But the trail up to Nine Mile Ridge is only about half of the fun!

If you're not riding the trail as the 36 mile out-and-back as shown or as the loop described above, you should consider parking a retrieval vehicle at the Lake Creek Trailhead. This option takes riders down through the final large descent (arguably the best one) and then connects with Lake Creek Trail #3079 for an easy 0.5 mile ride to your car. This option should be considered shuttle-assisted since it's still a cross-country ride with a good chunk of climbing along the way.

Other points of interest include a crashed WWII plane, and plenty of bear, cougar, and elk.

There are many other trails in this area, so check out other rides around La Grande.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brian Sather

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 18 votes

#944

Overall
  4.3 from 18 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#35

in Oregon

#944

Overall
3 Views Last Month
12,812 Since Sep 9, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
94%
0%
6%
0%

Photos

The meadows near Nine Mile Ridge provide great views and wildflower blooms.
Jul 28, 2020 near Elgin, OR
The occasional open ridge is what this trail is all about!
Jul 28, 2020 near Elgin, OR
The trail almost disappears through the grass.
Jul 28, 2020 near Elgin, OR
Classic ribbons of Oregon singletrack.
Jul 28, 2020 near Elgin, OR
In some old growth
Sep 9, 2013 near Elgin, OR
Riders work through an open glad along the Umatilla Rim Trail.
Jul 28, 2020 near Elgin, OR
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.