It’s (almost) all downhill from here
Swampy Lakes – Phil’s Trail Shuttle
Cog Wild,
Ride Ambassador
Length 24 Miles
Difficulty
Mild i
Sometimes you want to climb, and other times you want to glide. When it’s the latter you’re after, grab a shuttle from Cog Wild to Dutchman Flat Trailhead, 20 minutes west of Bend, for this mostly downhill ride that’ll take you right back to town, where an IPA awaits.
Starting from Dutchman Flat, you’ll climb just a bit to the ride’s high point of 6,500 feet—then get ready for a fun, adrenaline-filled descent. The singletrack drops fast and smooth, with bermed turns to give you that grin-producing swoop effect.
You’ll briefly climb again to the end of the Swampy/Dutchman Trail where it intersects with the Ridge Loop Trail, but pretty soon it’s back to gliding downhill. Just make sure you pay attention as you come to a number of other intersections—it’s a good idea to have your phone with you to help with navigation.
At about mile 7.5, hop onto the South Fork Trail and get ready for some even more serious fun. You’ll pick up speed and fly through the kind of wide-open sections you dream about in the off-season. Then there’s an easy climb up through vanilla-scented ponderosa pines on Skyliners Trail, followed by yet another thrill: two miles on the aptly named Lower Whoops Trail. Ride the tables and savor the huge berms; it’s a descent-only trail, so go for it with all you’ve got. And go back up Forest Road FS-310 if you want to ride it all over again (you will).
After Lower Whoops, you have seven miles to go, all on singletrack. The ride ends with yet more elevation drop on Phil’s Trail, ending at Phil’s Trailhead. Catch your ride there, or better yet, ride a few minutes on the bike path alongside Skyliners Road to reach downtown Bend. That IPA is waiting for you at Brother Jon’s Public House .
Riding Season
The ride starts near Mt. Bachelor, so expect snow until early summer. There are lower access points you can reach earlier in spring, but really the best time to savor the whole ride is fall.
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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
Cog Wild
Cog Wild has been bringing people together for fun adventures outdoors for 15 years. From their headquarters in Bend, they offer multi-day and daily tours for families and small groups, skills clinics and shuttles to Dutchman, Swampy and Wanoga Trailheads. Their guides and coaches are local and professional: they love to get people on the trails and to share the natural and cultural history of the region.
