Name: Depends Trail #775
Rating: 4.0

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Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Climbing turns/berms and switchbacks up the hillside allow you to easily keep track of the family. Small perennial creek and lots of wildlife to entertain. Not too steep uphill or downhill.

Not a preferred equestrian route due to high speed downhill mountain bike traffic. Please respect the trail builders and those who donate time and money to maintain the trail, and other trail users: do not ride if muddy! No tire tracks and no horse tracks.

Need to Know

High speed downhill mountain bike traffic is likely, but there is a good line of sight. Downhill mountain bikers must yield to uphill traffic.

For maps and user guides, go to: union-county.org/public-wor…

Description

This is a MERA favorite whether ridden uphill or downhill. It provides the best singletrack access to Doing Time Trail 789 and Caffeine Trail 716. It is a moderately strenuous (ascending east to west) and intermediate trail.

Trail signage is very good; all MERA trails are signed with a carsonite post showing trail name, number, rating, and cautions as applicable, e.g., high speed downhill mountain bikes, preferred equestrian route, etc. All main intersections have a unique number, shown on the carsonite post, that corresponds to the MERA map—intersections 1 through 24.

Overall, this is a narrow singletrack that is moderately fast with banked/bermed corners, off-camber corners, grade reversals, man-made jumps and numerous natural rock features.

It makes for a great ascending trail due to its consistent gradient with a few short grunts, and a high giggle factor on the descent which will challenge mountain bike handling skills. There is a good view of Grande Ronde Valley and Eagle Cap Wilderness and dog water year round.

Access points: The trail can be accessed from the Owsley Canyon Trailhead; take Red Apple Trail 700, to MERA Loop Trail 724, to Zig Zag Trail 777 or the new Slammer Trail. Ride up Slammer Trail or Zig Zag Trail 777 to Depends Trail 775; alternatively, ride up Mt. Emily Rd 202 to Depends Trail. From Upper Igo Trailhead, ride up Hot Shot Trail 725 to MERA Loop Trail 724 to Slammer or Zig Zag Trail 777 to Depends Trail 775. You can session/shuttle Depends Trail by driving up Mt Emily Rd 202 to ATV 409 gate and descend Depends Trail back to Mt Emily Rd 202.