Oregon's Buzzard Butte: A Hub for Advanced Mountain Biking Trails

The mountain biking landscape in Oregon's coastal region, particularly at Buzzard Butte, is undergoing a significant transformation. Once characterized by a scarcity of dedicated trails, the area is rapidly evolving into a prominent destination for enthusiasts, thanks to the collaborative efforts of organizations like the Tillamook Off-Road Trail Alliance (TORTA) and a cadre of professional riders. The recent expansion of the Buzzard Butte trail network introduces a variety of challenging routes, from visually stunning double-black diamonds crafted by experts to an adaptive-friendly option, ensuring a comprehensive and exhilarating experience for all skill levels. This development not only leverages Oregon's exceptional terrain but also sets a new standard for public trail systems, blending professional-grade design with broad accessibility.

This initiative represents a pivotal moment for Oregon's mountain biking community, addressing a long-standing need for more advanced and diverse trail offerings. The engagement of renowned riders in the design and construction process brings a unique blend of technical expertise and rider insight, resulting in trails that are both exhilarating and meticulously planned. The commitment to building a network that accommodates various proficiencies, from challenging expert-level descents to inclusive adaptive routes, underscores a forward-thinking approach to trail development. As Buzzard Butte continues to grow, it is poised to become a cornerstone of mountain biking in the Pacific Northwest, attracting riders seeking both extreme challenges and accessible, high-quality experiences.

Elite Trail Design: Mossy Hogs and Wavelength

The Buzzard Butte trail network has recently unveiled an impressive collection of advanced trails, notably 'Mossy Hogs' and 'Wavelength,' meticulously crafted by professional riders Christian Rigal and Carson Storch, respectively. 'Mossy Hogs,' a double-black diamond trail designed by Rigal, spans a quarter-mile with a 300-foot descent. This trail distinguishes itself with large, mandatory jumps and features that demand precise tire placement, brake control, and unwavering commitment, challenging riders' technical skills rather than just speed. The trail's unique elements, including a distinctive dirt curved wall ride, set it apart from conventional jump trails, offering an experience that emphasizes technical mastery over simple flow. Rigal's vision for 'Mossy Hogs' was to create a technically demanding yet enjoyable ride, proving that an open-to-the-public trail can also cater to top-tier professionals.

Running parallel to 'Mossy Hogs,' 'Wavelength,' a creation by Carson Storch, offers another formidable double-black diamond experience. This trail covers approximately a quarter-mile, descending 350 feet through rugged, root-laden, and steep terrain. Unlike 'Mossy Hogs,' 'Wavelength' leans into a more traditional technical style, characterized by its raw, natural singletrack. Riders encounter challenging features such as a significant step-up that many find intimidating, preceded by a long-and-low double and a step-down over ferns. The trail's technicality stems from its undulating terrain, abundant roots, and stumps, which at speed transform into continuous doubles. The involvement of local trail-building crews, particularly Bros. and Hoes Landscaping, and financial support from brands like Shimano and Kubota, have been crucial in bringing these ambitious projects to fruition, highlighting a collaborative effort to enhance the mountain biking infrastructure.

Accessible Adventures: Skidzfernia and Groundswell

For riders seeking an advanced, yet perhaps less intimidating, option than the double-black diamond trails, 'Skidzfernia' presents an exhilarating alternative at Buzzard Butte. This trail, often referred to as 'everyone's trail' due to its collaborative construction without a single professional's name attached, provides a formidable challenge for experienced mountain bikers. 'Skidzfernia' is notably longer, descending nearly 1,000 feet over a mile, making it the longest trail currently available at Buzzard Butte. It features two descents interspersed with a brief traverse and climb, offering a dynamic and sustained ride. The descents are characterized by their rough and raw nature, with optional gaps that, while not mandatory, require considerable speed and skill to clear successfully. This trail embodies a balance of steep, fast sections with even steeper chutes, catering to those who relish technical, high-speed descents without the extreme features of a double-black rating.

In a testament to the network's commitment to inclusivity, 'Groundswell' stands out as an intermediate adaptive trail, proudly highlighted by Ron Baker of TORTA. This nearly mile-long trail, featuring over 300 feet of descent, is specifically designed for jumping and funded by a substantial $125,000 grant from Travel Oregon, which also supported ADA-accessible parking improvements. As a blue-rated jump trail at Buzzard Butte, 'Groundswell' offers significant jumps and multiple lines, allowing riders to customize their experience by choosing different takeoffs and landings. Its 'choose-your-own-adventure' nature means that riders can explore countless variations without repeating the same path twice. This trail, alongside the potential extensions of 'Skidzfernia' and 'Wavelength' towards a lower parking lot, signifies the vision for Buzzard Butte to evolve into a comprehensive 35-mile trail system. This expansion aims to provide diverse, high-quality mountain biking experiences in a region previously underserved by such facilities, emphasizing well-constructed trails that cater to a broad spectrum of abilities and preferences.