The Grand Tour of Gravel
5 days, 4 nights, 350 miles
Gravel adventure through
the heart of the Cascades
THE TRAIL
This five-day event gravel stage race will challenge and reward racers and adventure riders not only on the epic days in the saddle but the celebration of the gravel tribe each night at camp. We take care of all of the details and support you on your journey- from tents to gourmet food to professional massage and nightly entertainment- you'll come away sore, accomplished, and with unmatched tales and friendships from the trail.
NO AERO BARS are allowed on ANY stage of the
Oregon Gravel Grinder series.
Please note, the route details, descriptions, and information below are based on the 2022 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder. The 2023 daily course may change due to road conditions, weather, and planning...but we promise, the course will not disappoint!
THE PIONEERS & THE SETTLERS
65.8 miles
5208 feet
** PLEASE NOTE: Courses may be altered prior to race day due to conditions.
Starting in the scenic western town of Sisters Oregon, Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder begins with a bang on Stage One. Immediately riders hit gravel after a quick 7-mile stint out of Sister, Oregon onto some of the gravel roads on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Gravel Range.
At about mile 10, riders will engage with the Santiam Wagon Road, portions of which have not been touched since the original pioneers crossed the Cascade Mountain Range.
The gravel roads on the east side of the Cascade typically are looser and a bit more challenging as riders ascend up over Cascade Mountain Range proper. At the very top of the mountain range, riders will pedal by alpine lakes, and scenic and spectacular vistas of the Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Washington abound.
At the very top of the range, riders enter the technical section that is the old historic Santiam Wagon Road, in its original 1800s state- ruts, rocks, and obstacles are everywhere. Once through this section and beginning to descend on the western slopes of the range, roads turn into the most beautiful and hardpacked gravel to be found anywhere. The additional moisture and mineral content in the roads make them exceptionally fast. Add to this the long descent and negative elevation gain, it allows riders to finish strong and provides an exciting conclusion to Stage One.
THE PIONEERS & THE SETTLERS
** PLEASE NOTE: Courses may be altered prior to race day due to conditions.
Stage 2, out of the small community of Blue River, is a testament to a community’s ability to survive and ultimately thrive through challenging situations. The town of Blue River burnt down two years ago on Labor Day with the Holiday Fire and the town is now on the path to rebuilding. There is still a lot of beauty in the area and we are fortunate to partner with the McKenzie Community Track to host our campsite for the end of Stage 1 and the beginning of Stage 2.
Stage 2 departs, immediately crosses the McKenzie River, and then heads up to the lush and dense forest of Willamette National Forrest. Here, rain comes in significant amounts, and moss and ferns rule the landscape. Large stands of old-growth timber can still be found along the course route and peekaboo views of far-reaching mountains and scenic vistas can be seen along the route.
Riders will then descend to the South Fork of the Willamette River before climbing once again up and over the Huckleberry Mountain and into the old logging town of Oakridge. Oakridge is an interesting community that has gone from being a depressed logging town to recently finding its footing in recreation and tourism, boasting some of the most spectacular mountain bike trails and riding in the country.
We also have the luxury and the privilege to use Greenwaters Park on the middle fork of the Willamette River. This campsite is one of the most spectacular along the route, providing not only miles of green lawn and old-growth trees to tent under but also an incredible swimming hole right next to camp.
We are fortunate to be able to spend two nights at this location as we have an extra day in Oakridge on Friday for Stage 3.
THE PIONEERS
THE SETTLERS
47.3 miles
4354 feet
** PLEASE NOTE: Courses may be altered prior to race day due to conditions.
Stage 3 of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder is our “easy” or light day.
For our Settlers, it is a tour around Hills Creek Reservoir- keeping the route flat and short, allowing you to shake out some of the kinks and soreness from the previous two day’s efforts. The scenery is still at the utmost splendor for riders as they tour around the reservoir. This day is your day to ride or even rest. While riders will get a time, it will not count toward the cumulative overall results so you can ride, shake it out, mosey around, kick your feet up and relax by the water- or we suggest, ride to the top of the Pioneer’s climb for lunch and cheer them on as they conquer the uphill and attack the downhill of their enduro-style stage.
For the Pioneers, we have something interesting this year…an enduro-style day set up. Riders will start the day touring around the reservoir before hitting Aid Station #1, where we will have the start of an uphill race. Competitors will race this uphill segment, have a 2-mile, neutral ride, and then hit Aid Station #2, where lunch will be offered, music, beverages, and an opportunity to regroup with your friends.
After refreshing, riders will then take on the second segment of the day- the downhill leg- descending on the tight, technical logging roads back to the Hill’s Reservoir. This segment will be the second timed segment of the day. Overall stage results will be based on the combined timed of both the uphill and downhill segments. Both timed segments will apply to the overall GC and time bonuses will be offered for both.
Stage 3 will start later, with a 10 am start time due to the short nature of the courses and the fact that there is no camp transfer that day. Friday is a great day to rest and relax those tired legs in the Willamette River or head into the town of Oakridge and check out some of the restaurants and watering holes.
Those that have friends and family joining them, we strongly encourage that you check out some of the different shuttle services and hit the mountain bike trails. See the Driver Adventure Guide for more suggestions of things for non-riders to do along with the daily courses and from camp.
THE PIONEERS & THE SETTLERS
** PLEASE NOTE: Courses may be altered prior to race day due to conditions.
Stage 4 is the Queen stage of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder and truly one of the most spectacular days of gravel riding in all of North America. Starting at 1,200 feet in the town of Oakridge, riders will proceed on a 20-mile initial climb up into the heart of the Cascade Mountain Range. Riders will peak at around 6,000 to 6,500 feet over mountain tops with spectacular views for miles. Dense forest, old-growth trees, and a certain level of isolation that you can find in very few locations throughout the country provide a dramatic and scenic backdrop.
At over 90 miles with close to 10,000 feet of elevation for the Pioneers and over 80 miles with 6,500 feet of elevation for the Settlers, this is the toughest and most monumental day of the Oregon Trail. Crossing the height of the Cascade Range is the Old Oregon Military Wagon Road, built back in the 1800s. This special road winds and twists through the scenic backcountry of the Diamond Peak Wilderness area and Summit Lake before descending down to Crescent Lake and on to the day’s next campsite in La Pine, Oregon.
Riders have the unique perspective of transitioning from wet, tempered rainforest to high alpine terrain and finally to the high deserts of Eastern Oregon.
THE PIONEERS & THE SETTLERS (same course)
** PLEASE NOTE: Courses may be altered prior to race day due to conditions.
The final day, Stage 5 of the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, starts from bike camp in La Pine, Oregon, and heads due north to the final destination of Sisters, Oregon. This stage starts with riders weaving in and out of Eastern Oregon forest, consisting of large pines and open terrain and vegetation. Riders get a chance to warm up and shake out their legs with moderate elevation gains for the first 20 to 30 miles. After that, the course goes uphill as riders begin the ascent into the high country near Mt. Bachelor. After reaching Mt. Bachelor, it is a fast descent into the scenic Tumalo Creek Drainage and once again back up to the highest point of the five days, on the old 370 Forest Service Road.
FS370 takes riders within a stone’s throw of Broken Top in the Three Sisters Peaks. Massive mountain views, alpine lakes, and scenic beauty abound as riders approach the 7-thousand elevation mark. The timed portion of the race concludes near Three Creeks Lake.
It s highly suggested that riders take the extra 3/4 miles from the timing finish and head up to the lake to dip their legs in the cool lake water and take in the scenery, before rolling to the finish on the fast descent back into Sisters, Oregon, where the post-race festivities begin. Back at the beautiful Village Green City Park in Sisters, riders can enjoy their final meal of the Oregon Trail, partake in amazing beverages, and relate some of the incredible stories of their journey with their fellow riders before departing for home.