You know that old conversation game where you get asked, “If you had only one day left on Earth, what would you do with it?” If you’re serious about your MTB, you should probably carve out most of that day for a run or two down ATCA.
This is the ride that put Oregon Cascades backcountry riding on the map. And we say “ride” instead of “trail” because it pieces together multiple trails, into one hair-raising adrenaline adventure.
“ATCA” could stand for America’s Top Cycling Adventure, but in reality it strings together the Alpine-Tire Mountain-Cloverpatch-Alpine trails. And this amusement-park signature ride dishes out all the tastiest aspects of Oregon trail riding; if it doesn’t happen to be your last day on Earth when you ride it, you’re going to want to spend a considerable number of your remaining days here.
Some things to know… first of all, taking a shuttle to the start does not mean you’re not going to be doing any ascending. Sure, you’ll revel in more than 7,000 feet of total drop, but you’re also going to be responsible for scaling a few thousand more to earn your turns. Not that you’ll mind too much as you rip down through spongy, sinuous, death-grip-fast singletrack, slaloming through massive old trees.
The shuttle will drop you on National Forest Road1912. From this point you traverse the short connector from the road and hang a right onto the legendary Alpine Trail. This trail points uphill from the get-go, and your not-warmed-up lungs and legs may protest – but just tell them to shut up, because the fun is coming. Once the trail levels off, it commences a series of whoopdee rollers, alternating between thick forest and open beargrass meadows. Then it’s off to the races for an extended descent that ends where the trail crosses NF-1912 twice in a short distance.
From here, don’t miss your next exit – you’ll be back in full downhill flow mode, but pay attention to catch the right turn onto the Tire Mountain Trail; if you miss it you’re going to significantly shorten the ride. Like Alpine, Tire Mountain rises up, with an exposed trail segment that delivers scale-defying views to the south. Then it’s another gnarly descent on switchbacks carved between gargantuan fir trees, to the intersection with the Cloverpatch Trail. A short initial climb on Cloverpatch (are you sensing a trend here?) takes you to the start gate of yet another magnificent, wooded drop that will make you eternally grateful for the entire concept of singletrack riding.
Cloverpatch ends on Tire Creek Road; you’ll glide down this road until you take a left onto NF-130. Now comes enough climbing to really get your attention: two fairly brutal miles of cranking, before you turn left and head up the Cloverpatch Tie Trail. This climb is more reasonable, and the deep shade helps keep you cool as well. After one more stretch of uphill on NF-683, you’re right back on the Alpine Trail, ready to continue that plunging-down part. This is like the great encore after a concert, delivering the best of the day’s highlights: let-‘er-rip straights, tight turns and more sublime scenery.
When you finally hit the bottom at Westfir, there’s the river beckoning you for a cooling dip. And you can luxuriate in the water as you play the experience back in your mind – every exquisite minute of it. Dry off, throw on a ballcap and head to Brewers Union Local 180 in Oakridge, where you can hang out with like-minded beermeisters and trade some tales.
Riding Season
Late spring through late fall.
