must see , must do around Fort Rock ?

I have the first week of April off and plan to load my 450 and a friends' bike
on the trailer and go play in the Fort rock area before heading North to Odessa for the Desert 100 .
I rode my 950 in the Christmas valley area a couple years ago but only for 2 days so limited exploration .
Any must do trails ?
Are we to expect snow on the trails or are they clear by then ?
Any input is welcome .
Thanks

I've enjoyed the Christmas Valley (fuel stop, lunch), then left turn just east of town for Crack-In-the-Ground. Goes past Green Mtn L.O.See google maps. This gravel/dirt road goes to hwy 20.
Also Fandango road is great, but goes other direction.
Hart mtn national antelope refuge has great riding, hot springs and camp grounds. This road comes out on east side of Steens Mtns. Take extra fuel.

Adv Ft Rock picture was borrowed. Thanks!


Green Mtn L.O. at the far mountain ahead.

This was a solo Feb 2009 trip with the CB250 Adventure bike. Rode over two snowy passes to get here.


Dave

Xmas Valley Dunes. Fun place to play just don't forget your flag. Bikes have to have them now also.

Military plane crash sites/memorials south of Xmas Valley Dunes. Fun to hunt for and amazing once you find them.

Lost Forest

Ghost town of "Stauffer"

Obsidian deposits and views on Glass Buttes

Derrick Cave

Crack in the Ground

That is big country out there with a lot of cool stuff to see. I guaranty you won't have time to see it all. Snow will keep you out of Newberry Crater and other places like that until later in the year.

Oh yea don't forget your fishing pole for the absolutely unforgettable "Cabin Lake".

Bad, OMB, bad!

Don't forget the many shopping opportunities at the malls in those parts. No sales tax!!

There isn't much left of it, but in xmas valley there used to be the largest radar array on the west coast--the Backscatter Radar site.

http://www.opb.org/news/article/back-scatter-radar-site-be-used-solar-power-installation/

As far as trails go, they are all good. If you follow the signs to any of the staging areas, there are usually maps at the notice board. There are about 3 hundred miles in East Fort Rock OHV riding area. I would pick a route that goes around the outside of the area something like trails 30/40 and 10/25. There could be some snow especially on East Butte and China Hat Butte, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Cowboy Dinner Tree

$25 for a 30oz steak or a whole roast chicken.

Reservations mandatory. We used to drive out there from Bend because it's that good. You wouldn't regret it.

Tom and I were down there May 5th ~ 8th 2011.

These were taken on the last day on a loop north out of camp. Only snow we had cept for getting stopped up hi on the second day. Very fun place.



Trails are very well marked





I have one of the maps left. If everything works out I will be heading down mid may.

Thanks everyone for the input .
I am taking notes .
so far the plan goes as 3 days around the marked trails , one day playing in the sand and one or two days "exploring" thru sites mentioned above .
Anybody riding in the area is welcome to stop by( by) my camper for a glass (or two)of old Rum

I went to fire camp there and don't remember much water...

A "few years ago" my friend turned down that road (radar station) and was quickly met by black suburbans, telling him "Sir, you'll have to leave this area NOW". Guess they don't want people looking at their stuff. Someone must park underground?

Dave

One of the huge prohibitive costs of large scale solar arrays is running power lines out to them. The backscatter radar site had high quality lines run to it that could handle its power demands. Off and on for years there has been talk about one energy company or another re-purposing the site since the power lines are (were?) already in place.

Been wanting to check the site out for years. There is a related site just into California near Clear Lake, east of the Lava Beds. Both look interesting on google maps.

Arzach,

The inmates just told you of some great places and great riding. As for the snow--you will be fine in the lower elevations. Make sure if you go to the ORV area you have a green sticker-----or deal with a $180 fuck you from the feds.

Thanks for the info ,
I am not a fan of that kind of money transactions .
The bike is plated and has Orv sticker , that should give me
Enough playground .
Thanks again for everyone's reply

Hole in the Ground is worth a look too. You can ride to the bottom and around the rim. Sometimes filled with freezing fog in the early spring months, looking like a bowl of steaming soup.

Nothing to see there, no place to ride. C'mon over and camp in the pasture, I've got a back log of chores for ya!
Have fun, I'm looking forward to the ride reports.

Traffic in that part of Oregon can be a bitch.

What a pal !
Cut some wood ? dig ditches ? clean the gutters?
I know it sounds appealing but I will pass on your generous offer .
I know I am missing on the marvels of Whidbey Island but
I will take my chance