Deep forests, alpine lakes, and a post-ride dip
High Lakes Trail – Brown Mountain Loop
Zach's Bikes,
Ride Ambassador
Length 22 Miles
Difficulty
Challenging i
Just an hour’s drive from Ashland, Lake of the Woods offers just what it suggests: a dip-worthy alpine lake tucked into a beautiful forest. This ride takes you for a tour of the scenery, before dropping you right back at the lake to cool off and visit Lake of the Woods Mountain Lodge & Resort for dinner overlooking one of the clearest natural lakes in the Southern Oregon Cascades.
Kick off your ride on the High Lakes Trail, a smooth path up through lava rock. You’re at 5,000 feet from the get-go, so take advantage of the gentle grade to get warmed up at elevation while you take in the scenery.
After a little more than five miles, turn right onto Brown Mountain Trail. The first two miles are scenic doubletrack, at which point it switches to an up-and-down singletrack trail that winds through old-growth trees and more lava fields. That mountain you see along the way is 9,500-foot-high Mt. McLoughlin, one of the primary landmarks of the Rogue River Valley.
At mile 11, you’ll start a six-mile climb up to the peak of the ride. The grades are relatively merciful, but pace yourself so you can fully appreciate the views of eastern Oregon when you hit the peak.
From here, you’ll start flowing downhill on classic singletrack. Savor every minute of it as you glide back to where you started just a few hours before—only now you’ll have a big grin etched on your face. Call it a day at this point, or for an added challenge and even more stunning scenery, head out and back on the High Lakes Trail. It’s a good alternative to the popular Spencer Mountain bike trails that are just an hour away, outside Klamath Falls.
Riding Season
Like other rides high up in the Cascade Mountains, this one’s likely to be buried in snow until late spring. Your best bet is early summer to early fall, but the shoulder seasons can be a great time to go, depending on snowpack.
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In Oregon, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and the same Oregon road laws apply. Please “be seen” and practice safe riding. Vehicle traffic, farm equipment and narrow shoulders exist on many Oregon roads, and you may find that construction projects, traffic or other events may cause road conditions or signage to differ from the map results, ride descriptions and directions. For travel options plus weather and road conditions, visit tripcheck.com, call 511 (in Oregon only), 800.977.6368 or 503.588.2941. Routes listed on this website are for informational purposes and intended as a reference guide only.
About The
Ambassador
Zach's Bikes
Established in 2016, Zach’s Bikes is the locally-owned product of decades of combined experience in the industry. Moreover, they know and ride the stellar trails, gravel and tarmac that are so abundant in and around Klamath Falls. Zach's Bike's mission is to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to explore the Klamath Basin on two wheels.
