"smith rock"

Pictured: Smith Rock, Crooked RiverWhile Smith Rock is certainly an impressive monolith, with the climbing routes on "Monkey Face" being famous, the Crooked River surrounding Smith Rock really completes the scene.
The 4 mile loop (there is a more demanding 6.3 mile loop available) hike along the river and up over the top of Smith Rock is mostly a level hike. The half mile near the end of the trail up to Misery Ridge is very difficult. The ball bearing descent from the ridge is no picnic either. Your speed up and down "Misery" will be one mile-per-hour or less. Only two notes for direction are needed: After crossing the river bridge initially, go left for best views. At the 2 1/2 mile mark, one trail continues straight along the river. Your trail turns right here and switchbacks up Misery Ridge. You should at this point be on the back side of "Monkey Face". Watching the vertical climbers on the front of this favorite is a highlight.
Mid-summer is very hot here.
The access to Smith Rock State Park (fee area) is from Rt. 97 in Terrebonne, Or., which is north of Redmond.
William Sullivan (ISBN 0-9677830-1-1, Navillus Press) does a good job on hike description.

Visit my website here.

"(mott section) umpqua river"/ "riverside"

Pictured: N. Umpqua River (Mott Segment).......100 more photos here.The Mott segment of the North Umpqua (River) Trail, east of Glide, Oregon, can be used in conjunction with the Riverview Trail for a 12 mile mountain bike loop. Note that to complete the loop about a 1/2 mile ride west on Rt. 138 is necessary to pickup the Riverview Trail westbound. Also about a mile westbound (at the end of the ride) on paved Rt. 138 from the Bogus Creek Campground back to your vehicle, which should be parked at the Wright Creek Bridge.
Don't miss the Bogus Creek Camp turn-off on Riverside Trail!
Due to heavy vegetation, I would wear long pants and shirt for this loop. The Mott section is narrow and rough and damp.
If this loop is not enough, the Panther segment of the North Umpqua Trail meets the Mott, traveling eastbound. Other good options for lengthening the ride would be a ride on paved Forest Rd. #38 to see Little Falls and Steamboat Falls.
For the 12 mile loop we parked at Wright Creek trail head, went east on "Mott" and west on Riverview.
Pick up good informational brochures "North Umpqua Trail" and "Thundering Waters" at the North Umpqua Ranger Station Colliding Rivers Information Center, just east of Glide. Sections or all of this trail system may be closed much of the year, (due to weather, rock slides, fire, etc.) so check with the Info. Center before riding (or hiking).

Visit my website here.

"row river"

The Row River Trail (road bike) near Cottage Grove, Or. is suggested as a mountain bike route. Wrong, it's paved! It's a nice, easy 25 mile out-and-back. Or it can be a loop (my preference) of about the same distance. The trail begins in Cottage Grove and traverses nice country to Dorena. We began at the Mosby Bridge Trailhead. Access is via Row River Rd. in Cottage Grove. The loop option entails turning south at Dorena to Shoreview Drive westbound. Turn left at Garoutte Rd. and right at Mosby Creek Rd. back to your vehicle. There are historic covered bridges to see on the route, if you like that. Not much climbing, good touring. A good resource is American Trails. They do list it as a road ride at least.

visit my website here.