Riding The Pass

Get some lift service at Willamette Pass

By Sebastian Foltz

For the mountain bikers who hate to ride up hill, Willamette Pass is a must ride.  Late in June, when the snow has melted, the pass converts their six-person chair to a gondola for mountain bikers, hikers, disc golfers and sightseers.  The ski slopes give way to some intense single track riding. “It’s a little slice of heaven,” said season pass holder Jeremy Fritts.

Biking at Willamette Pass

              Willamette Pass boasts one of only two mountains in Oregon that offer lift serviced mountain biking.  But The Pass isn’t for the faint of heart.   As their website says, “our trade mark is the kind of stuff that attracts the untamed of the bunch. You better have your groove on, and helmet, gloves, and any body armor you can find.”

             Mountain supervisor Israel Fuller echoes that sentiment and also recommends a full suspension bike.  In fact, riders, pass employees, and bike shop workers all say you can ride Willamette Pass on a hard tail bike but recommend a dual suspension bike to really enjoy the trails.  Fuller and Fritts, as well as Willamette Mountain Mercantile bike shop(Oakridge)  manager Eugene Cathcart, all agree that while there are beginner trails, the mountain is predominantly intermediate to advanced riding. Many of the trails are technical and have steep vertical descents. Cathcart adds that “soil conditions make it fairly challenging.” Many trails have loose soil that can make traction difficult. He goes on to say that trails can be “pretty badly eroded by the end of summer.” Rider Jeremy Fritts recommends big tires for better traction. 

The Pass has some serious jumps

With safety a major concern, Willamette Pass offers a complete first-aid station with EMT level certified staff on site.  Although Fuller pointed out that there have been no major reported accidents this season.  He said that most people just leave with minor cuts and bruises that usually go unreported.  He added that in previous seasons shoulder injuries have been the most common.   Jeremy Fritts laughs off the danger, “I’ve crashed a lot… no significant injuries.”

The mountain biking season at Willamette Pass runs from when the snow melts until it comes back, roughly late June through early October. Day passes for bikers are $25, sightseers and hikers can take a single ride for $15.  Season passes are available for $75.

Willamette Pass also hosts disc golf tournaments and will be holding two downhill bike competitions in July and August. The races are being run by OBRA, the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association.

For more information on events and other activities, go to Willamettepass.com.

If you’re looking for something a little less intense or maybe a little cheaper, the nearby town of Oakridge has a lot of trails to offer. For some trail suggestions check out Willamette Mountain Mercantile in Oakridge, their staff is very knowledgeable about biking in the area and can point you in the right direction.  And after riding, for a cold beer in nice English style pub, check out the Brewers Union Local 180 pub in downtown Oakridge.

(Willamette Pass mountain bike trail map click here)

Advertisement