A.T.C.A. route

The trail that helped define backcountry riding in the Oregon Cascades. By the time you finally reach the covered bridge next to Westfir, you’ll have descended 9K’ of loamy, twisting, blazing-fast singletrack, surrounded by giant, ancient trees. Just be prepared to spend the rest of your life searching for a trail that matches this one.

Route Details
Maybe you shouldn’t do this ride. There is a good chance the Alpine-Tire Mountain-Cloverpatch-Alpine (ATCA) route will ruin you; you’ll forever be looking back wistfully on the day you first rode it. Don’t be fooled by the shuttle assist, though, because even though you start with a couple grand of vert in the bank, you’ll still need to earn several thousand more. Conserve your legs and supplies so you can enjoy the entire ride.

After the shuttle vehicle drops you on National Forest Road NF-1912, take the short connector from the road, and then a right onto the legendary Alpine Trail. The trail initially starts with a climb, which feels steeper than it is because you’re not yet warmed up. Soon enough the trail levels off and begins to playfully roll through the landscape, past towering conifers and through beargrass meadows. A ripping, prolonged descent ends where the trail again crosses National Forest Road NF-1912 twice in a short distance.

Once you’re descending again on the singletrack keep your eyes peeled for the right turn onto the Tire Mountain Trail; don’t blow by it or you’ll significantly shorten your ride. Tire Mountain climbs again through some sublime, exposed trail, offering magnificent views to the south. Another fearsome descent switchbacks through massive evergreens to the intersection with the Cloverpatch Trail, where a short climb puts you back on top of yet another epic backcountry descent, making you feel like a singletrack glutton.

Cloverpatch ends on Tire Creek Road, which you’ll descend until you turn left on National Forest Road NF-130. Now the climbing starts to hurt, and it goes on for two miles before you turn left and begin climbing the Cloverpatch Tie Trail. Thanks to the merciful trail builders, this climb is eminently doable, and is well-shaded from what can be a menacing afternoon sun. Another short climb, this time up National Forest Road NF-683 and you’re back on the Alpine Trail, ready to continue the descent. This segment doesn’t disappoint, offering up everything from twists and turns to no-brakes-if-you-dare straightaways. One last hard left near the bottom and you’ve completed the legendary ATCA. Your forearms hurt and your quads are shot, but a dip in the river will wash off the dust and refresh your soul.

Riding Season
Late spring through late fall.