Alpine Trail #3450 of the Willamette National Forest across the river from Westfir, Oregon is affectionately known as the crown jewel of the Oakridge mountain biking trails system. For one, it’s a long, sinewy ribbon through an old growth forest bursting with wildflowers and stunning vistas. For two, it’s real fast. Designed and built for flow, it’s easy to pick up speed on Alpine’s extended stretches of downhill. So easy in fact, when I ride it I imagine I am going faster and smoother than anyone has ever done in the history of the world. Of course that’s not true, but even when I’m behind’s someone’s wheel, I think this. That’s just the nature of Alpine’s magic. More than other trails, it incites imagination and glee, which is why it’s my official reset trail. If I lose confidence or begin to burn out on the sport, I go to Alpine to get my smile back.
Part of what makes Alpine so special is that you have to earn it. Yes, the majority of the trail is downhill, but there are some extended climbing sections as well as a handful of uphill pitches I refer to screamers, because they are short enough to get off the saddle and power up but steep enough to make me want to scream in pain right as I crest the top. It’s worth it though, because there is a speed that comes from gravity, but there is also a speed that comes from rhythm and momentum. Alpine will make your legs and lungs burn at times, but if you are in shape you will not lose momentum, and I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me feel stronger and smoother on a bike than punching up a steep incline without losing a beat. Alpine is a peddlers dream. Hard-packed and well-engineered, it’s the kind of trail you can push the entire time so by the end you will feel tired but accomplished. You might be a little shaky but you will be grinning from ear to ear, endorphins pumping through your body, reminding you there is still magic left in this world.
Difficulty:
Alpine is technically an intermediate trail. There are a few obstacles like large roots and a handful of switchbacks but overall the trail is relatively smooth and straightforward. However, if you are afraid of heights this is not the ride for you as there is a descent amount of exposed side trail with steep drop-offs.
In terms of fitness I would also say this is an intermediate trail as long as you are shuttling. If you climb the road instead it becomes an advanced workout.
Directions:
This trail is located about 35 miles SE of Eugene, OR off of State Highway 55. This highway is accessed from I-5 exit 188A. Once on 55, drive 32 miles east towards Oakridge. A few miles before town, turn left following the signs to Westfir. In about ½ miles you will cross the Middle Fork of the Willamette River and read a T. Turn left onto Westfir-Oakridge Road (19) into Wesfir. At 2.3 miles, on the left is the turn for the red-covered bridge which takes you to the parking lot at the end of the trail. Park here if you plan to ride up the road.
If you want to shuttle, Oregon Adventures, based in Oakridge, offers daily shuttles Monday through Thursday leaving at 10 a.m. and Friday through Saturday leaving at 9 a.m. and Noon for $25 per rider. https://oregon-adventures.com/shuttles
Riding Options
If you get shuttled you will be dropped off about a mile away from Kate’s Cutoff for a 15 mile ride. If you ride the road from the parking lot you can take North Fork trail for 3 or so miles to Forest Service Road 1910 which you’ll climb for 8 miles to get to Windy Pass. To access the trail from this juncture take a right onto 1911. Shortly there-after the trail will be on your left and its 9 miles to the bottom. For the longer ride continue straight through Windy Pass onto 1912 and climb another 4.8 miles. On your left will be the access point known as Kate’s Cutoff.
There is some poison oak along the bottom sections of Alpine, but if you take precautions and wash with Tecnu afterwards it shouldn’t be a problem. However the North Fork trail is teaming with the stuff, so if like me you are highly allergic you should avoid this trail altogether and instead ride the Westfir-Oakridge road (19) to 1910.
Route Information
There are several resources that give detailed route information for Alpine including John Zilly’s guide book, Kissing the Trail and Treadmaps’ Oakridge, Waldo Lake, & Local Areas 3D Topographic Mtn. Biking Map and Guide. The Forest Service map is the Middle Fork Ranger District map. However, due to the number of unmarked or badly-marked spur roads in the area along with the convoluted nature of the Windy Pass trail crossing, I strongly recommend taking someone familiar with the trail system your first time down. Even folks with fancy GPS devices have been known to get lost on this trail. Happily, Oakridge Adventures in additional to their shuttles also offers a guide service.
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