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WHISKEY PEAKTechnical Switchbacks and Creek Crossing!
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DAY 1
SynopsisThis Ride is partially paved up to Applegate Lake, Oregon. It continues on primarily gravel roads with a few ruts and mud puddles depending on the time of year. It takes approximately 5 hrs to complete the route and is a very scenic ride with old cabins, mine shafts, rocky vistas, and historical points of interest and switchbacks into a very remote part of the Red Butte Wilderness area. A map can be viewed by clicking the Rever Map in the right hang column. This is a very remote ride and has what we like to call a wilderness feel to it. This ride always offers some kind of challenge!
Distance and Fuel pointsFueling should be done previous to your arrival at IRR. 5415 Hwy 238. Jacksonville, OR 97530. This ride is approximately 86.0 TO 100.0 miles, and it high elevation.
ConsiderationsPack snacks, a lunch, and your favorite beverage! Bring a camera and a friend. This ride is best done in late Spring to late Fall.
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IRR - out back discovery route info
Though not particularly high by most standards the Siskiyou Mountains of Northern California and Southern Oregon are notable for several reasons. For one they are one of Oregon's major mountain ranges, and include the highest peaks west of the Cascades in that state. They also are home to some of the most botanically diverse coniferous forests on the planet, here vegetation native to the great basin can be found growing along side ferns and other coastal species.
Forming a roughly elbow shape the range has two main crests of about equal length. One of these crests runs north to south from a point near the confluence of the Trinity and Klamath rivers to Oregon Caves National Monument. From here the crest makes a noticeable turn and roughly follow the Oregon California border until merging with the Cascades. Most of the north south trending crest is within the Siskiyou Wilderness, very little private land exists here. Large scale logging never quite made it to this area, however some mining did. This region is home to some the most rugged and remote territory in California.
The ruggedness of this crest far surpasses that of the east west crest. Due to its proximity to the ocean this area was hit much harder by the last ice age than the rest of the Siskiyous, making the effects of glaciation a lot more obvious. This region is home to hundreds of glacial tarns ranging in size from a small puddle to deep mountain lakes. The headwaters of several major rivers begin here in classic glacially carved U shaped canyons. The higher ridge tops get up to 200 inches of precipitation a year. This is in sharp contrast to the 50 inches that fall on the lower eastern side. The Roads and scenery of this area is truly a wilderness experience.
Forming a roughly elbow shape the range has two main crests of about equal length. One of these crests runs north to south from a point near the confluence of the Trinity and Klamath rivers to Oregon Caves National Monument. From here the crest makes a noticeable turn and roughly follow the Oregon California border until merging with the Cascades. Most of the north south trending crest is within the Siskiyou Wilderness, very little private land exists here. Large scale logging never quite made it to this area, however some mining did. This region is home to some the most rugged and remote territory in California.
The ruggedness of this crest far surpasses that of the east west crest. Due to its proximity to the ocean this area was hit much harder by the last ice age than the rest of the Siskiyous, making the effects of glaciation a lot more obvious. This region is home to hundreds of glacial tarns ranging in size from a small puddle to deep mountain lakes. The headwaters of several major rivers begin here in classic glacially carved U shaped canyons. The higher ridge tops get up to 200 inches of precipitation a year. This is in sharp contrast to the 50 inches that fall on the lower eastern side. The Roads and scenery of this area is truly a wilderness experience.
HOW DIFFICULT IS THIS ROUTE?
The WHISKEY PEAK OBDR route is designed to be ridden on adventure motorcycles. Tremendous views of the Middle Fork Applegate River and the Red Buttes. Slow, occasionally steep gravel road. Devil’s Climbout, just past Whiskey Peak, is a terrific ride that looks scarier than it actually is. are no single-track style trails on this route. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach mid- to high range elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent and where slides are frequent. You can expect to cover sections of road with some ruts, loose rocks, and other challenges. Road conditions change from week to week based on the recent weather. When you see signs that read, “Roads maybe impassable when wet”, use caution, roads become very slick and can be impassable. Elliot Creek is gated but passable with ADV motorcycles. The locals try to keep people out but it is not being done legally. We typically ride through this area respecting the folks that live in the area and try to have a little impact as possible. You may also encounter sections of road that have trees or branches over the road. There are no alternate "easier" routes around any of the most challenging sections when these conditions and weather make travel difficult. The ride is easily done on all types of adventure bikes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest PO Box 520 333 West 8th Street Medford, OR 97501
(541) 858-2200 TTY: 1-866-296-3823 www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou
Applegate Ranger District 6941 Upper Applegate Road Jacksonville, Oregon 97530-9314 (541) 899-3800
The WHISKEY PEAK OBDR route is designed to be ridden on adventure motorcycles. Tremendous views of the Middle Fork Applegate River and the Red Buttes. Slow, occasionally steep gravel road. Devil’s Climbout, just past Whiskey Peak, is a terrific ride that looks scarier than it actually is. are no single-track style trails on this route. Many of the roads are in remote areas and reach mid- to high range elevation areas where road maintenance is minimal or non-existent and where slides are frequent. You can expect to cover sections of road with some ruts, loose rocks, and other challenges. Road conditions change from week to week based on the recent weather. When you see signs that read, “Roads maybe impassable when wet”, use caution, roads become very slick and can be impassable. Elliot Creek is gated but passable with ADV motorcycles. The locals try to keep people out but it is not being done legally. We typically ride through this area respecting the folks that live in the area and try to have a little impact as possible. You may also encounter sections of road that have trees or branches over the road. There are no alternate "easier" routes around any of the most challenging sections when these conditions and weather make travel difficult. The ride is easily done on all types of adventure bikes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest PO Box 520 333 West 8th Street Medford, OR 97501
(541) 858-2200 TTY: 1-866-296-3823 www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou
Applegate Ranger District 6941 Upper Applegate Road Jacksonville, Oregon 97530-9314 (541) 899-3800