Basin Adventures: 3 Novice Biking Opportunities in the Basin Before Winter

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The Klamath Basin is home to some great biking opportunities. Whether you like to ride roads, mountains, or trails - some of the best routes are right here in the Klamath Basin.

Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.

The snows are coming and before long, recreational cycling will have to be put up for winter.  Until then here are three novice level cycling opportunities you will not want to miss before winter.

The High Lakes Trail has picturesque viewpoints everywhere. Here you see a great view of MtMcLaughlin. (DiscoverKlamath.com)

High Lakes Trail – Mountain Bike Trail, 9 Miles [one way]

The High Lakes Trail is located about 30-miles west of Klamath Falls near Lake of the Woods. Starting at the Great Meadow Snow Park, the High Lakes Trail carves its way through beautiful forests of the Southern Oregon Cascades. Skirting the waters of Lake of the Woods and trekking through historic lava flows, will not disappoint with gorgeous mountain views everywhere you turn. The end of the trail is at Fish Lake, nine miles from where you began - a perfect place to enjoy lunch before cycling back to the Great Meadow.

The trail is well built and well-maintained with roller compacted gravel and offers an intermediate challenge to cyclists.

Trail Map - https://www.trailforks.com/trails/high-lakes-trail/

Trail from Collier Park to Kimball Park (DiscoverKlamath.com)

Collier Park to Kimball Park – Gravel Trail, 12 Miles [one way]

If getting out into the forest on a trail that is not groomed perfectly, then the ride from Collier Park to Kimball Park might just be for you. Starting at the Collier State Park Day Use Area (just past the logging museum) this trail travels up and over Sun Mountain and through the Sun Pass State Forest. Travel FS-390 past the horse corrals for two miles then take a left on FS-6214 for another seven to eight miles. This will eventually merge with a main gravel road where you veer left again to Kimball State Park.

Kimball State Park is home to the headwaters of the Wood River and is an excellent kayaking location too. Both state parks offer camping, bathrooms and beautiful waters. If you are feeling adventurous, numerous logging roads are cut through the forest to add extra miles to your ride.

Trail Map - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/7413640

The family friendsly OC&E trail as it passes through a residential section. (DiscoverKlamath.com)

OC&E Trail, Paved Trail, 14 Miles [round trip]

If mountain adventure is not your style and you want a bit more family friendly ride, then the OC&E Trail might be for you. The entire OC&E Trail is the longest linear state park in Oregon at 109-miles. The State Park was once the railroad line for the Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad. Hauling logs from areas east of Bly to mills in Klamath Falls.

There are many locations to start this journey, but the official trail head is just off Crosby Street in Klamath Falls at an old retired OC&E Caboose.

Known as the “Urban Section,” this adventure starts at the trailhead to the Olene Crossing and back. This is the only paved part of the trail and is the most family friendly. The first three miles pass by businesses, residential neighborhoods and Wiard Park. The following four miles ride through rolling farmland.

This is an out and back trail, once reaching Olene turn around and head back to the trail head. Use caution with children and novice cyclists, this trail crosses many roadways where the cars do not stop.

Trail Map -

 

More information about cycling, trails and riding opportunities can be found at:

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Basin Adventures is brought to you by the Klamath Falls KOA. Centrally located in Klamath Falls, the Klamath Falls KOA is the perfect jump-off point to visit all the spectacular recreation sites of the Klamath Basin – Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, wildlife refuges, hiking, biking, fishing and so much more. Visit http://koa.com/campgrounds/klamath/ for more details and to book your next adventure base camp.