Paulina Peak with an elevation of 7,984 feet, is about 4,000 feet higher than the terrain surrounding the volcano. There is a gravel fire road that winds to the top. This is a gruelling climb for someone from New Jersey like me,, an 8000 foot elevation. Air please ! The trail head starts about 1000 feet from the peak. It is a pretty tight sigletrack for approximatley 19 miles.The end of the trail dumps you right in the parking lot where you left your car. To get to the top of Paulina's Peak,, is about 7 miles from the parking lot up the gravel fire road. So,, approx 25-26 miles total.. You have to climb to the top to see the views. This is not a technical ride by any means,, it is just a great workout and quite a scenic tour. The trail is mostly rolling hills,, up and down,, few roots from trees to go over,, and lots of cinder and volcanic ash all over. Soft terrain. The last 3-4 miles is a downhill bomber,, with a few rail road tie sized wood to jump over. Then that dumps right out into the parking lot. Nice ride.
This is a really good trail. Kind of like a dirt version of the Crater Lake Loop. Good climbs, good downhills and absolutely beautiful.
| ThankWife and I, out from CO to mountain bike ride in Bend, rode the Crater Rim Trail today, but only the southern half. We went back down on the Parallel trail, then back to the trailhead on the Crater Trail. The Parallel Trail was all downhill, and pretty steep at times, but ok. The Crater Trail is largely a horse trail, with maybe 5 miles of the west section totally beat up, with 2" of loose dust for most of it. DO NOT RIDE THE CRATER TRAIL!!!
| ThankThe Rim trail was great; we should have gone farther around.
One of my personal favorites! Followed by a jump in the lake or a dip in the lakeside hotsprings! The views are amazing
| ThankAn amazingly beautiful ride. tires you out by the end, but all worth it.
| Thankthis ride will burn your lungs but the views alone will be worth it. there are all kinds of trails that start on the rim trail, i would recomend the obsidian flow trail(it has some good down hill with some sweet switchbacks)have fun and bring lots of water
| ThankThis is one of the best scenic rides I've been on. Absolutely gorgeous! Best to ride July, August and September. The elevation can tap the lungs! Later in the year, the cinder ca** some dust problems. We rode it once as a family (kids 10 and 12). They made it-was a real accomplishment for them. Take sunscreen, food and water.
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