Skirting right, then left, then bouncing right over the top of lava worn down to round, smooth mounds from countless millenniums of high desert weather beating upon it, I weave in and out of a slalom course of thick, twisted ancient Junipers, and eventually roll to a stop to savor the stunning landscape.
A long, hot summer turned the grass to a bright yellow carpet that intensifies the contrast of rust red towers of Ponderosa Pines and brilliant green Scrub Brush.
I imagine the Lone Ranger or maybe the Cartwrights trotting through this scene on horseback, establishing the perfect backdrop for a Western Adventure.
The silent stillness only cranks up the emotions welling up deep inside of me.
It’s early Sunday evening and I waited for the masses to enjoy their rides and head back to town, that being Sisters, Oregon. The Peterson Ridge Trail System lies just a stone’s throw from town and offers seemingly endless miles of singletrack.
I’ve been visiting this area for years, typically camping at Cold Springs. I’ve spent countless hours on the dusty trails and roads west of town. I’ve ridden up the Old McKenzie Highway 242 to the McKenzie summit numerous times.
But this is my first taste of Peterson Ridge.
See, if you haven’t already figured this out through my many confessions, I’m a strange bird. Sure, I like new and exciting things. Yet, I prefer to milk the most out of anything before taking the plunge to the new.
How so? I have drawers — OK, to be honest, actually bins — of t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, jackets, heck even shoes — of brand new unworn items just waiting to be christened into my rotation.
It’s the same with adventures. I could have checked out all the riding options around Sisters on my first trip here. Instead, I save things and experiences like a pack rat.
So I finally headed to Peterson Ridge, riding four miles into Sisters from Cold Springs, then out Elm Street to the trailheads. Not 100 yards into the system you face the first of a limitless — not to mention mind boggling — array of intersections to alter your route over and over and over.
The Sisters Trail Alliance hit the lotto for mountain bikers. Whatever your preference, you can find it here.
You can have quick, slick runs. You can climb. You can descent. You can float in the forest or out. You can even have major bonfire, when the season allows.
Or, you can just get lost in all of it, which is exactly what I did. I just rode and rode for a couple hours, amazed at the variety.
Oh, that lava will rise up and take you down, if not challenge you, in many places so you can never really lose yourself in the magic of the scenery.
Unless you stop, look and listen. And let the high desert fill your soul.
Time to ride.
