Gray Butte Loop via Burma Road

If you've been to Smith Rock State Park you've probably seen Burma Road cutting across the large slope to the east of the park. If you are willing to suffer 1,000 feet of climbing in under a mile, this road is the gateway to one of the best open desert singletrack rides in Central Oregon. From the top of Burma Road the views of Smith Rock and the Cascades will take away what little breath you have left. The remainder of the ride is a loop around Gray Butte via Skull Hollow. Almost the entire ride is in the open, with great views that are constantly changing. There are miles of fast, smooth downhill, additional dirt road climbing, and a few technical rocky sections. One thing there is not much of, however, is shade. If you attempt this ride in the summer, be sure to bring extra water. The soil in this area becomes a sticky, unrideable mess after a rain and during the spring thaw. Be sure to bring a map as many of the trail junctions are unmarked and easy to miss. Watch out for cattle and horseback riders and please be sure to close all gates behind you.