Ochoco Day 5-The Final Day Bringing Us Back to Paradise

The view from my tent this morning. 

It was another chilly morning in the high country. This time I pulled out my long fingered gloves! We were a little slower getting packed up (it’s hard to get moving when you are cold). 

We had a screaming good paved downhill as soon as we left the campground. Soon enough we were on the first of three climbs which warmed us up nicely. 

The top of the first climb. 

The next section took us down to Hwy 26 (Ochoco Hwy). That was an awesome descent, even if it was a bit scary going somewhat blind into the shade…potholes lurking and all). At the Hwy, there was a sign that said 18 miles to Mitchell (go right), and 29 miles to Prineville (to the left). So, we could have gone back to Mitchell and the Spoke ‘n Hostel, or we could take the shortcut to Prineville. We turned right. Not because we were going to Mitchell. No, we were going back over to McKay Rd to get to Prineville and my cousin’s house, the hard way. 

The climb started on the Hwy, then continued on paved Forest Road 27 for a total of 6.5 miles. It was a doozy of a climb. I even turned on my music which is not something I usually do in the morning.

Ginny had found some morels a couple miles from the top. 

There was still a ways to go when the road turned back to gravel. It was much more narrow, and quite steep in places, but I managed to make it without pushing. 

Deb continuing up. 

One of the few expansive views. 

At the top of the climb, Deb and I stopped for lunch. Ginny and Makaela arrived later after some more successful morel hunting. 

There was one more short climb (on pavement), then the long descent down to McKay Rd. 

Makaela’s morel finds. 

At the top of the final gravel descent. 

Going down down down. 

Nice view. 

Some Indian Paintbrush growing out of the rocks. 

Taking photos of the flowers. 

And just like that, we were back to McKay Rd. 

McKay to the left, and what we came down to the right. 

Now it was just the “stick” of this lollipop route back to Debbie and Brian’s. There was a bit of a headwind, so Makaela and I were taking turns on the front. Well, we kind of ramped up the pace (it was downhill). Before we knew it, we were back to where the road had been flooded on our way out. 

Where the mud slide came from. 

At least the road is open now. No 4 mile detour today!

Three Sisters in the background. 

My Makaela!

Took a photo like this on Day 1. Now Day 5!

And we are back to Paradise! A little more tired, and a lot more dirty!

Debbie fixed an awesome dinner, and we finished the day with a soak in the hot tub. It doesn’t get any better than that!

I think we all really enjoyed our time on the Ochoco Overlander. I would also highly recommend the amount of time we took to do it. Day 2 is going to be tough no matter what, because there is not really any camping between Skookum Rock and Burnt Ranch (except maybe Ashwood if you happen to be able to ask Frank), but it is definitely doable. Of course, we are very lucky to have my cousins in Prineville, and I am so grateful we have been able to reconnect. Counting two times on this trip, this is the 4th time I’ve been here. I’m looking forward to the 5th time! Now, to plan another route…

Ochoco Day 4-Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland!

What a wonderful night it was in the hostel. Even though there were six of us, it was so quiet…no snoring! We had our breakfast (Deb made pancakes, but I had my breakfast concoction), and had a nice chat with Dana, the staff person for the overnight hours when Jalét isn’t there. Deb, Ginny and I departed at 8:15. Makaela left about 9:00. 

We knew we had a long climb ahead of us. 

Starting up Dollarhide. 

The scenery was quite nice as we transitioned back into Ponderosa forest. 



The field in the background was full of what looked like clover. 

I shall call this “Split Rock”. 

Another mountain view. 

Deb and Ginny were, of course, ahead of me, but as I came around a corner near where the climb levels out a bit, I saw Ginny. As we were having a snack, Makaela rolled up. 

For the next few miles, we followed a very green valley. 

Deb was wanting to see something big and furry. Sadly, the only likely big and furry would be a cow. 

I had this idea for a photo of our four bikes holding each other up (I mean, if you think about it…Bikepacking with friends is kind of like that…we all hold each other up).

I think it turned out pretty good!


We rode a few more miles until the turn toward Pisgah Summit. Before we started the rough and steep climb, we took a break for lunch. Then we began the hardest part of the day. 

I knew I would likely be pushing, as I had done this before. 

In the distance, you can see Makaela is riding. The rest of us couldn’t. 

The view was nice. 

We finished the climb in time for the next obstacle…snow. 

This was just a joke. Little did we know…

Oh, and we saw this bear paw print. 

Oh, this is NOT a joke!

Our cleats got filled with mud and snow. 

And more snow. I think we walked through about 4 long patches. The last one had a groove from a motorcycle maybe. I put my dropper post down, and straddled the bike through the snow. It worked great!

Finally, we were out of the snow for good. 

You can see the fire tower at the top of Mt. Pisgah. 

Three Sisters, Broken Top, and a couple others we weren’t completely sure about. 

We had a good descent, some was pretty rough (dropper for the win), but then it was pretty fast. We popped out onto the pavement, and rode the last bit to Walton Lake. 

Our final night’s campsite. 

Dinner time!

A bald eagle was sitting in the tree. 


We went for a walk around the lake after dinner. 

Saw the Mallard family

Canada Goose family #1

And #2 

And this dragonfly. 

While today was just 28 miles, we climbed over 4500 feet, and it took us until 4:30. It was an adventurous day!

Ochoco Day 3-Some Painted Hills, and the Oasis of Mitchell

Wanda packed and ready to go from last night’s campsite along the John Day. 

I was ready to go a few minutes before the others, and I knew I would be walking up the first part of the hill, so I headed out just before 8:00. Makaela was not far behind me. 

Here she is! 

Since it was heating up already, Makaela and I rolled down the road to some shade to wait for Ginny and Deb. 

I thought this was a cool cloud formation. 

Once we were all together, we headed on the route, stopping to take a group selfie. 

I was trying to get the river in the background. Not so successful. 

Continuing on…

There’s the river!

Thankfully, today was a shorter day, just 27.5 miles. That included a side trip to the Painted Hills National Monument. I’ve never been there, only seen photos. On the way I saw these two antelope. 

The turn to the monument. 

We had a little over a mile to the overlook. We were seeing views of the hills along the way. 

Here’s a number of photos from the Overlook. 

Wanda, of course!

Pano of the Hills

Pano from the other side. 

Ginny!

Wild flowers and Hills. 

Makaela taking flower photos. 

My Makaela!

Deb!

Oh…and me. 

After doing all the Overlook things (not hiking the trail though), we headed back. The route had us going further out, but what we could see didn’t seem to be much more than what we saw from the Overlook. I did stop on the way down to take an up close photo of a white hill. 

This info tells about the difference between the red and white soils. 

At the bottom of the descent back, I saw Ginny propping Bumble Bee to take a photo. Since we both have Cutthroats, we decided we must do a photo together. 

Nose to nose Salsa Cutthroats!

Owner selfie!

From the turn to the Monument on into Mitchell, we were on pavement. There was one mile long climb, then we came to the Ochoco Hwy. The sign said 4 miles to Mitchell. But wait…when I did this with Derik (the Ochoco Overlander Modified), there was a 10 mile climb BEFORE the turn to Mitchell. I was confused. But, hey, that’s okay, I didn’t mind not doing that! 

It was an uphill climb to Mitchell, but only 4 miles. 

Deb now entering Mitchell!

Just before Main St. Hwy 207 came into the Ochoco Hwy. it was then I remembered Derik and I had come in that way. So, I’ve learned that the Modified version is more different than just the Mc Kay Rd part from Prineville. 

We arrived at the Spoke ‘n Hostel right at noon, and were greeted by Jilét. I remember her from when Doug and I stayed here on the Trans Am. The hostel is just as amazing as when I was here before!

There is one other cyclist here from the UK who is doing the Trans Am (but not the race that is due to begin coming through tomorrow).

First thing Jilét did was give us big bowls of ice cream and some lemonade. So delicious! Then we took showers one by one, and did laundry too. Finally, we headed to Tiger Town Brewery for some food. It was packed, and it took nearly an hour to get food, but it was good!

Whew! Finally some food!

Just as we were finished, in walks Brian, my cousin. Him and Debbie had been out on the route looking for us. They didn’t know we would be so speedy. We came back to the hostel (they brought a cooler of beer for those who wanted it). We had a wonderful chat, then it was time for them to head back to Prine-tucky, as Brian calls it. 

Thank you Brian and Debbie for finding us!!!

Soon we will head off to dinner, back at Tiger Town Brewery (not much else in town).