Here is a cruel ride for you: 400 vertical feet per mile on single-track trail--not for the faint hearted. Chucksney Mountain is hard on just about everything needed to get the pedals turning. But as with most difficult rides the summit and the descent make it all worth the effort. Chucksney Mountain is part of a designated roadless area, similar in character as with a wilderness area, but with less protection; it doesn't take an act of Congress to create it or destroy it. Such intact roadless areas are crucial to the health of the greater forest areas.
To get there, take the Aufderheide south off Highway 126 or north of Westfir from Highway 58. Park at the Box Canyon Campground. Find Grasshopper Trail at the north end of the campground. On the ascent, stay right at all trail junctions.
The steepness of the ascent ranges from just plain annoying to gut-wrenching. Fortunately there are plenty of scenic places to rest and enjoy the view. The high point of this ride is a flat, rock outcropping with an expansive 360 degree view the Fall Creek drainage, the Roaring River valley and the Three Sisters Wilderness. The Three Sisters provide mag nificent company for lunch.
The next few miles of the ride follow a ridge top through tall beargrass and fireweed. At 6 miles the trail comes to an intersection. Right heads north to Grasshopper Ridge. Go left at this point for an exhilarating and technical 4 mile downhill ride back to the trailhead. Box Canyon Campground is a popular horse camp; maintain complete control on the descent!
Keith Nelson
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