About the Oregon Timber Trail Deschutes Tier
The Deschutes Tier of the Oregon Timber Trail showcases both the volcano-rich atmosphere on the east flank of the Cascades and the dry high-desert environment of Central Oregon. This trip gives you the chance to string together alpine lakes like links in a bike chain — as you skirt the shores and quite possibly stop for a dip in the crystal-clear waters.
Bend is not a secret destination these days – instead, it’s a vibrant and popular place with every amenity for the intrepid adventurer. This is a city where it feels like everyone gets outside and does something active every day. There’s an astonishing amount of backcountry play available within a 20-mile radius. It can serve as the perfect hub for a quick weekend trip (or better yet, midweek) to explore the Deschutes Tier of the Oregon Timber Trail. Stretch your trip out, because it will be a very long time before you run out of good places to ride and recreate.
Cultus Lake Loop Segment
12 miles | 628′ elevation change
Ease into your two-wheeled adventure with a bucolic 12-mile ride that connects three picturesque alpine lakes. Starting on the shore of Cultus Lake, head out around the lake to the more sheltered and untrammeled north end, where you’ll find lakeshore access. Keep in mind that Cultus Lake is very popular in the summer, and you’ll find more solitude further down the route. Once you’ve got your groove on, crank up to Deer Lake, a tiny water body dotting the shadow of modest Cultus Mountain. This lake is more likely to be all yours, so take some time to explore and envision a future vacation home on a lake. From Deer Lake, drop down slightly to Little Cultus Lake, another less-trafficked body of water where you can immerse yourself in the melodic sound of birds, the tangy smell of pine and the deeply relaxing sense of natural space. You might want to note the secluded campground on the east side of Little Cultus – you might be coming back here for another piece of adventure.
You can turn around and make this an out-and-back, or glide down a gravel road to make a loop back to where you started.
Local resources
It’s hard to single out lodging, restaurants and bike shops, because there are so many options in this area. Suffice to say you won’t lack for choices in any element of your trip, but here are a few favorites. In Bend: Start at Crow’s Feet Commons, part café, part bike-and-ski shop, part tap room and overall awesome community gathering place. Also take note of Sunnyside Sports bike shop, The Sparrow Bakery, Thump Coffee, Spork, Parrilla Grill and Crux Fermentation Project. In Sisters: Sisters Coffee Co., Angeline’s Bakery, Three Creeks Brewing, Blazin Saddles Bike Shop, Melvin’s Market and the Sno-Cap Drive-In.
As far as other riding options, both Bend (Phil’s Trail Complex) and Sisters (Peterson Ridge Trail System) have excellent options for trail-riding right in or near town.
