2023 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder Stage 1 - Sisters to McKenzie, Oregon

Video by Adam Lapierre
2023 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder Stage 1 - Sisters to McKenzie, Oregon
Starting in the scenic western town of Sisters Oregon, Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder begins with a bang on Stage One. Immediately riders hit gravel after a quick 7-mile stint out of Sister, Oregon onto some of the gravel roads on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Gravel Range.


At about mile 10, riders will engage with the Santiam Wagon Road, portions of which have not been touched since the original pioneers crossed the Cascade Mountain Range.

The gravel roads on the east side of the Cascade typically are looser and a bit more challenging as riders ascend up over Cascade Mountain Range proper. At the very top of the mountain range, riders will pedal by alpine lakes, and scenic and spectacular vistas of the Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Washington abound.

At the very top of the range, riders enter the technical section that is the old historic Santiam Wagon Road, in its original 1800s state- ruts, rocks, and obstacles are everywhere. Once through this section and beginning to descend on the western slopes of the range, roads turn into the most beautiful and hardpacked gravel to be found anywhere. The additional moisture and mineral content in the roads make them exceptionally fast. Add to this the long descent and negative elevation gain, it allows riders to finish strong and provides an exciting conclusion to Stage One.