The Bulletin., May 21, 2021, Image 11

SPORTS PULLOUT & CLASSIFIEDS INSIDE
• B SECTION • FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021
THE REGION’S HUB FOR
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Each week in this section, you will find the area’s
most complete guide of what’s open and closed;
outdoor activities and events; top picks of places to
explore; conditions of hiking and biking trails,
fishing holes, water flows, camping spots, parks
and more — as well as features from outdoor
writers and field experts.
Your ticket to
prime
riding
A mountain biker makes his way Saturday along the Ticket to Ride trail near
the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station west of Bend. Ryan Brennecke/The Bulletin
BY MARK MORICAL • The Bulletin
W
hen I moved to Bend 20 years ago, there was basically
one trailhead for mountain biking — Phil’s, of course.
As mountain biking-focused singletrack has expanded
over the last two decades through the immense efforts of the
Central Oregon Trail Alliance and the U.S. Forest Service,
more trailheads have been built in and around Bend.
The U.S. Forest Ser-
quick, easy loop to ride
vice’s Cascade Lakes
in the mornings, during
Welcome Station along
the lunch hour, or in the
Century Drive just west
evenings.
of Bend has become
The loop starts and
TRAILS
a bustling trailhead
ends at the welcome sta-
over the last few years, and with tion, which also provides access
good reason. The location gives to the COD and Catch and Re-
riders direct access to some of
lease trails.
the area’s best mountain biking
Ticket to Ride serves as a suit-
trails.
able loop for beginners or families
Completed in 2018, Ticket to
and as a way for mountain bikers
Ride is a relatively new trail in
to connect to other trails such as
the vast network west of Bend.
Grand Slam, ELV and Voodoo
The 6-mile loop is ideal for
Child, another newer trail.
mountain bikers looking for a
See Ticket to Ride / B10
Looking for loop trails? Deschutes River Trail has it all
BY KRISTIN CUNNINGHAM
For The Bulletin
TRAILS
South Canyon
Reach view of
the Deschutes
River Trail.
Submitted photo
My husband and I moved to
Bend several years ago, and we
are still awestruck by the beauty
of this region. Walking through-
out the city and taking in the
views is one of our favorite hob-
bies. In fact, many of our favorite
walking trails are Bend Park &
Recreation District’s scenic loop
trails.
Luckily, the much-loved De-
schutes River Trail — commonly
known as the DRT — is within
walking distance of our home.
There are 12 miles of trails that
take you through some of the
most picturesque stretches of
Central Oregon. There are two
convenient loop trails as part of
the DRT — the Old Mill Reach
and the South Canyon Reach. We
visit these trails often.
Old Mill District Reach
Located from Farewell Bend
Park to McKay Park and the
Bend Whitewater Park, the Old
Mill Reach of the trail is on both
sides of the river and connects
within the popular Old Mill Dis-
trict.
The Old Mill section of the trail
is an interesting path because,
even though it’s in town with lots
of people, stores, restaurants and
activities, there’s an impressive
array of wildlife sightings on this
loop trail. I have spotted a giant
beaver, multiple eagles, an owl,
otters, great blue herons, king
fishers and more.
Three footbridges connect the
Old Mill Reach of the DRT trail
across the Deschutes River, pro-
viding convenient loops for walk-
ing, cycling, running and wildlife
viewing. The trail is wide, paved,
relatively level and separated
from the street, making it safer
and more accessible for everyone,
with connections to parks, re-
strooms and ADA parking.
South Canyon Reach
The South Canyon Reach of
the DRT, currently a one-way trail
for COVID-19 safety, never dis-
appoints.
See Loop / B9