Mountain Bike Tracks at Paulina Lakes and Newberry National Volcanic Monument

The trailhead is about an hour from Bend. Getting there is easy. Drive south on highway 97 about 23 miles and turn left at Paulina Lake Road. From there the road climbs up to Monument, about 12 miles. Park is on the left just after the ranger station. (Don't forget your parking permit).

To the ride head east on the paved road about a quarter mile and then turn right up toward the peak

The initial climb up the gravel road is gnarly. I've done it twice on a single speed - it hurt more the second time because you would have thought I got smarter... but didn't.

Head uphill a couple miles to the trailhead or keep going to the peak for a killer option.

The trail is well-marked and on the right at about 7500' elevation.

The trail drops off quickly with a couple of sharp turns right off the top and then runs out into a stride.

Keep rolling a couple miles till you hit the junction and need to decide between staying on the rim or dropping back into the basin.

If you have the energy continue climbing for another half mile past the trailhead up to the peak for some great scenery and a view of the ride you'll be doing.

Newberry Crater (National Volcanic Monument) is the remains of a volcano that blew up about half a million years ago. The caldera is about 10X the size of the Mt St Helens's and has been the site of frequent volcanic activity. It is still considered active; many cinder cones dot the interior of the crater. To the Northwest are the Big Obsidian Flow and the Big Cinder Hill. Paulina Lake and East Lake are below, and many volcanic peaks of the Cascades can be seen on a clear day.

Once you leave the road you're in single track heaven. Conditions are excellent. Since you're riding mostly on volcanic rock, the trail can get a little soft during hot dry weather.

Be sure to stop and take in the views. The scenic pictures here show the views the obsidian flow.

Junctions are well marked.

Trail junction for the obsidian flow descent.

If you kept rolling on the rim trail you will ride through some great single track with some minor climbing.
At the Northeast corner you cross the Big Cinder Hill. Covered in Red volcanic pumice it is mostly treeless. A great stop for lunch and a view.

Keep rolling on the trail.

The trail descends here past the Big Obsidian Flow. Pitch is steep and the views are beautiful. As you go past the obsidian flow you will see the glinting glass-like obsidian strewn everywhere.

If you are out of time or gas, this is a good bailout point. It's an easy ride back to the parking lot along the road.

The trail through here is well used and part of the ride is along the road. There are some steep spots, but mostly it is very ridable and fun, passing by basalt lava flows and through denser forest as you climb back to the rim

The junction is well signed. If you are coming up the hill, head left.

Get ready for your last climb of the day. Also, in 2009 there were quite a few trees down across the trail.

After a last little bit of climbing you get to the summit and from here the trail is easy, fast, and fun.

Just keep rolling along the trail. Be ready for some steep descents.

The last pitch of the ride is a fast descent. On top the trail can be a bit soft. As you drop into the trees the track widens and is a fast and fun romp through the forest.

The last view of the Lake - an inviting swim awaits!!!!