Tough day of climbing ahead – climbing from about 1,500 feet elevation at Steamboat Falls to 3,900 feet elevation at the Calapooya Divide. A real grind.
Woke up at 5:30 am, eat breakfast (dried fruit and nuts), break camp, pack gear on bike, saddle up, and head out about 7:30 am.
Began climbing up Steamboat Creek, following the creek’s path as it flows down the Calapooya mountains. No fishing or mining is allowed in the Steamboat Creek valley – it is spawning grounds for the Umpqua River steelhead trout population. Many signs posted along the route remind the public that fishing is not allowed and or mining is not allowed (in order to protect the steelhead trout spawning grounds). Beautiful, happy purple flowers are in bloom along the road.
The creek diminished in size as I climbed higher and higher. Eventually the creek disappeared and the real steep inclines began. I felt the effects of a bike loaded with 35 pounds of gear, the going was slow. Cranked and ground up gravel roads that lead over the Calapooya Divide near Bear Bones Mountain in the Calapooya Mountains. I made it to the top and enjoyed the view of the valley of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River below.
Handlebar view of the morning sun.
The view down into the Middle Fork of the Willamette River valley in the Calapooya mountains in Oregon.
The sun had risen high in the sky and baking the temperature into the 90’s. The elevation near the ridge below Bear Bones Mountain was 3,916 feet. It was generally downhill from there to the Middle Fork River at about 2,000 feet elevation. The ride down was fast. I rode the brakes most of the time.
Looking down the valley of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River in Oregon.
I passed over the Middle Fork River at about 2 pm and was near my planned campground for the night (the Sand Prairie campground near Hills Creek Lake. But I decided to push hard and ride to Oakridge, where I began the trip. The lure of a burger, a cold drink, and a shower drove me to push on. Also, if I get back a day earlier than expected, I can ride some of the local Oakridge are mountain biking trails like a regular mountain biker – without the 35 pounds of bikepacking gear.
The day was blazing hot, the heat cooking off the blacktop road to Oakridge. I was running out of water, and I was hurting from the climb over the Calapooya Mountains. The sun beat down on me. I was overheated. I stopped on the shores of Hills Creek Lake to get water from the lake and to wet my bandana. Met a family camped there at the lake for the weekend. They kindly offered me a cold Mountain Dew. I had never had a Mountain Dew, but it was cold and wet, so I drank it while visiting with the family. I thanked them for the cold drink, wished them well, got back on the bike, and pushed on.
Arrived back in Oakridge at about 5 pm on Day 6 of my bikepacking ride. I rode to the local Dairy Queen for a cheeseburger, fries, a shake, and glass after glass of of ice water. I sat inside enjoying the shade and the air conditioning. Lots of people at the DQ getting cold drinks and ice cream on this hot day.
I found the Oakridge RV Park, my camping spot for the next two nights. Unpacked, hung the hammock and rainfly, and hit the showers. That night I had pizza and iced soft drinks at the local pizza shop. I camped next to Salmon Creek, with the sound of river rapids whispering all night long.
I rode 215 miles in six days, completing my bikepacking trek through the Oregon Cascades.
Day 6 mileage – 45 miles.
Day 7 – Local Rides in Oakridge, Oregon
Mark Updates 