Photo Recap, Wil Matthews, 2023 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder Stage 4 - Oakridge to La Pine

2023 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder Stage 4 - Oakridge to La Pine, Oregon
Stage 4 is the Queen Stage of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder and truly one of the most spectacular days of gravel riding in all of North America. Starting at 1,200 feet in the town of Oakridge, riders will proceed on a 20-mile initial climb up into the heart of the Cascade Mountain Range. Riders will peak at around 6,000 to 6,500 feet over mountain tops with spectacular views for miles. Dense forest, old-growth trees, and a certain level of isolation that you can find in very few locations throughout the country provide a dramatic and scenic backdrop.

At over 90 miles with close to 10,000 feet of elevation for the Pioneers and over 80 miles with 6,500 feet of elevation for the Settlers, this is the toughest and most monumental day of the Oregon Trail. Crossing the height of the Cascade Range is the Old Oregon Military Wagon Road, built back in the 1800s. This special road winds and twists through the scenic backcountry of the Diamond Peak Wilderness area and Summit Lake before descending down to Crescent Lake and on to the day’s next campsite in La Pine, Oregon.

Riders have the unique perspective of transitioning from wet, tempered rainforest to high alpine terrain and finally to the high deserts of Eastern Oregon.

Course video by Adam Lapierre