O'leary Mountain Trail, in the McKenzie and Blue River Ranger Districts, provides the mountain biker a wilderness experience by offering a sense of solitude, tranquility, challenge, and self-reliance, without being in violation of biking in designated wilderness. O'Leary Mountain was named for Johnny V. O'Leary, a resident of McKenzie Bridge around the turn of the century, who had a Forest Service permit for grazing sheep and goats near this mountain. O'Leary owned the general store and livery stable at McKenzie Bridge, which provided saddle and pack horses for hunting parties. (Williams 1988)
Start this ride by leaving a vehicle at the base of Cougar Dam on the South Fork of the McKenzie Forest Road to eliminate a long uphill return. To leave a shuttle vehicle, travel east of Blue River on Highway 126 for 3.5 miles, and turn south onto Road 19 (Cougar Reservoir turnoff). Then take Road 1900-410 to the powerhouse at Cougar Dam. Just before entering the Corps of Engineers closure, turn east and park in the open area at the intersection.
To reach the trail from Eugene, travel east on Highway 126, 50 miles to McKenzie Bridge. Look for the Horse Creek Road sign which stands across from the Log Cabin Inn. Turn south and drive about 2 miles. Turn right on Wapiti Road 1993. The trail is accessible at three points on Wapiti Road: at 3 miles, 5 miles, and 15 miles. This ride, however, is best initiated at Horsepasture Saddle access, which is 5 miles up Wapiti Road.
Start the ride on the Olallie Trail at Horsepasture Saddle and go right (west). Just 0.5 miles west of Horsepasture Saddle intersection is the beginning of O'Leary Trail on the left. The trail climbs for approximately 1 mile through a meadow high above the McKenzie River drainage. Soon the trail heads into a pine and fir forest and climbs along the side of OçLeary, McDuff, and McLennen Mountains. On McLennen, scramble 150 yards up to the top for a great panoramic view. At about 3.5 miles the trail is steep and technical. Other parts of the trail include ridge top riding and descents.
When the O'Leary trail reaches a Forest Service road at 6.8 miles there are two ways to return to the car. The sane route is down the road. The insane route continues on the trail which offers extreme riding conditions where to fall could be fatal. The remaining 2 miles of trail drop 2000 vertical feet with over 40 switchbacks before ending on spur Road 600.
Martha Moran
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