Deception Butte

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Deception Butte is a ride that will challenge the most experienced of riders. It's steep, technical and exposed. Although it invites speed, it's not the trail where you want to let it roll. Expect very narrow singletrack on extremely steep slopes with high consequences for not staying on the trail. It's a great adventure for anyone who can handle a bike and is looking for something different in Oakridge.

This is a point-to-point ride requiring a vehicle to shuttle riders to the top of the route. From Oakridge, drive west past the Middle Fork Ranger station to USFS Road 5847 just before the Shady Dell Campground. Stay left on USFS Road 549 for Krueger Rock. The start of the trail is approximately 3 miles more up the road, on the left hand side, across from a pullout.

This ride is very advanced and requires excellent bike handling skills. The beginning of the ride includes a steep hike-a-bike (carrying it on your bike kind of hike) followed by a thrilling and spicy descent. The route is very primitive and may have sections with overgrown vegetation.

Deception Butte (3466) starts with a short easy roll out through the forest. It quickly transitions to steep technical trail that turns into a hike-a-bike. Settle in with your bike on your shoulder (or back) up the left side of a large rock outcropping. Once you top out, go right to rest at a scenic overlook of left to start the meaty descent of Deception Butte.

The upper reaches of the downhill alternates between steep switchbacks and extremely steep, straight-line chunky sections. The middle of Deception Butte is the spiciest; featuring long sections of narrow, exposed trail with vertical backslope. You'll probably feel like you're walking a tightrope at times and it's best not to push the limits through here.

The lower reaches of the route begin to mellow out when you roll down the last steep across a bridge at creek junction. The trail then transitions to meandering near the water and then climbs gradually back into the forest.

The finale of Deception Creek is an easy stroll on a walking path to the Deception Butte trailhead.