Mountain biking: Miles and miles of fat tire fun!
By John Rahm

Troy McCullin | Pacific Crest stock

The Sisters area is one of the premier mountain biking regions in the state. The best known and most popular trails include the Peterson Ridge Trail System 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.

Mountain bikers have got the word: the Sisters Country is a great place to hit the trail.

The Peterson Ridge Trail is located at the south edge of town just across Whychus Creek on Elm Street. This trail has been expanded to 25 miles, and offers options for riders of all abilities.

East and west legs and a dozen connectors between them provide loop opportunities from one to 20 miles. For a fabulous 360-degree view, ride or hike the experts-only trail over Eagle Rock, only two miles from town. 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.

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.

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, 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 “black 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 Highway 20 just before Black Butte. Check with the Forest Service for detailed directions to the trailhead.

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

Mark your calendar Memorial Day weekend for the Sisters Stampede mountain bike race or the last weekend in September for the Sisters Mountain Bike Festival