Sisters on a pair of fat tires
By John Rahm

The Sisters area is one of the premier mountain biking regions in the state. Terrain is varied and you can find a ride to suit any temperment or skill level. The best known and most popular trails include the Peterson Ridge Trail with its trailhead within the city limits, the Suttle Tie Trail between Black Butte and Suttle Lake, and the nearby McKenzie River Trail, which is widely regarded as one of the great epic bike trails in North America.

The Peterson Ridge Trail is located at the South edge of town just across Whychus Creek on Elm Street. This trail offers a number of options.

The easy option is the Eagle Rock Loop, winding gently through the forest and along a canal for an out-and-back total of 5.5 miles. For a fabulous 360-degree view, take the short hike up Eagle Rock. The Peterson Ridge Trail continues on beyond for six miles to another spectacular overlook and total round-trip distance of 16 miles. Beyond Eagle Rock the trail is easy to moderate in both technical and aerobic difficulty.

The entire trail system is well signed and there is a good map at the trailhead. Recommended parking is at Village Green Park, across from the Sisters Fire Hall on Elm Street, where you will find restrooms and water. The trailhead is only a quarter mile away. Twenty miles of trail are being added to this system, tripling the total current mileage.

The Suttle Tie Trail begins 10 miles West of town past Black Butte at the intersection of George McAllister Road and Highway 20, across from the turnoff to Camp Sherman. This easy to intermediate trail climbs through the forest to Suttle Lake, crossing bridges over a couple of small creeks along the way. Cap this pleasant forest cruise with a three-mile lap around the lake trail, a dip, and maybe an ice cream at the Suttle Lake marina before heading back downhill.

Information and trail maps covering these local trails and others can be obtained at the Sisters Ranger District office, at Eurosports on Hood Avenue in Sisters, the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, and other locations.

The closest more aerobically and technically challenging option is the 99 Trail, done either as an 11-mile loop from the upper Three Creek Sno Park located about 10 miles south of town, or as a shuttle from the Park Meadow trailhead nearly 20 miles back down to town.

Or you can ride up to Park Meadow from the sno park and make it 25. Much of the singletrack descent follows the Metolius-Windigo Trail, which gets heavy horse traffic in the summer. With big trees, meadows and creeks, some of it is steep rocky ³black diamond" terrain.

Ten miles out and back with a great view from a short hike at the top, the Green Ridge Trail is another segment of the Metolius-Windigo that is popular in the spring and early summer before horse traffic makes it too soft to enjoy. This trail is accessed from Green Ridge Road that turns North off of Hwy. 20 just before Black Butte. Check with the Forest Service for detailed directions to the trailhead.

The other ³must do" ride for any serious mountain biker is the McKenzie River Trail, 50 miles West of town off Hwy. 126 on the road to Eugene. The trailhead is at Fish Lake, and the trail ends almost 25 miles down the river near the McKenzie Bridge Ranger Station.

Trails are often frequented by hikers and equestrians. Pedestrians and equestrians always have the right-of-way. Put a bell on your bike, and use it. Proper etiquette dictates that bicycle riders stop, dismount and allow either pedestrians or horses to pass.