This ride leads you on an interesting tour of the various stages of timber harvest practices. On the ride you may pass through an active logging operation, as well as pleasant, shady lanes that traverse impressive stands of second growth timber. Steady climbs, views from the summit of Round Mountain, and exciting descents on dirt make for a satisfying day on your bike. Since much of this land is privately owned, the roads may be closed during fire season or when commercial traffic is heavy.
Drive east on Interstate 105, or east on Main Street through Springfield. Take the 42nd Street and turn left. Go right on Marcola Road. About six miles after crossing the McKenzie River, look for the Parsons Creek Road turnoff on your left. If you drive into Marcola 0.3 miles down the road, you missed the turn. Three miles on Parsons Creek Road takes you to the end of pavement. Park off the road to the right.
At this junction Road 16-2-10 heads left and Boiler Creek Road comes in from the right. This loop description starts with a left on Road 16-2-10 and returns down Boiler Creek Road. Ride up Road 16-2-10 for 1.6 miles, bearing left at the fork in the road. At 2.6 miles, after breaking out into a clearcut, climb 0.2 miles to a right turn at the top of this logged area on unmarked Road 16-2-7.2. Once through a few hundred yards of logging debris, you will enter a beautiful one-lane forest road. The contrast is dramatic.
Over the next 3.5 miles as you gain 1000 feet of elevation, watch for the waterfall nestled in the woods on your right. At mile 6.8 turn right at the junction onto 16-2-18.1. Ride 0.8 miles and bear right at a fork onto Road 15-1-31, otherwise known as the Mainline. At 8.5 miles turn off the gravel onto a dirt road; it's unsigned, but you are still on Road 15-1-31. At the intersection with Road 16-2-10, mile 9.8, you have the choice of a right for an early return to the car, or a left to complete the 20 mile loop.
Pay careful attention to keep on the right path! At 10.2 miles go right on Road 15-2-29. Keep straight ahead at mile 10.6, avoiding the left onto Road 15-2-16. Another 0.8 miles brings you to a large open intersection with a lone tree in the middle. Turn right here and, after 200 yards, take the left onto Road 15-2-28.3. A short climb on gravel road brings you to a little clearing at an elevation of 2800 feet. This is the summit of Round Mountain. As they say: it's all downhill from here.
On the descent bear left at mile 12.6, as the road on the right deadends. When you reach mile 13.4, turn right onto Road 15-2-25.1. Prepare for a very steep downhill run on "The Wall' (Road 15-2-28.3). After 0.5 miles of pure speed, make a right on Road 15-2-34. Enjoy the downhill to mile 16, then turn onto the more gradually descending of two roads. After 100 yards turn right onto a dirt trail. At 16.8 miles the road forks; the left on Road 15-1-32 leads to Shotgun Creek. You should turn right, however, on Road 16-2-10.2 for the three mile cruise on Boiler Creek Road back to the car.
Greg Young
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