Butte Falls Willow Lake Loop

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Butte Falls Willow Lake Loop

Elevation Profile

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Ride Description

This route takes you up to the community of Butte Falls and out to Willow Lake. The road to Willow Lake is picturesque and you are afforded many views of Mt McLaughlin as you ride toward the junction of Hwy 140. More than half of this ride is above 4000' so you usually can't ride this until late Spring and into late Fall depending on how much snow is received. You are in the Cascade mountains for much of the route so there is a lot of old growth timber along the way. The average gradient of the ride is about 4.5% but the steepest section does hit 10% for a short period on the Willow Lake/Fish Lake Road.

About

The community of Butte Falls is a good place to stop if you need any extra food or water. Water and restrooms are available at the park in the center of town. There is also water available at Willow Lake but it is a little off the road. Once you reach the junction of Hwy 140 and Willow Lake/Fish Lake Road, there is a great 10 mile downhill. They have recently added rumble strip section on Hwy 140 so be aware of these. Hwy 140 is exposed for most of the return route to Eagle Point and can be quite hot during the summer so be sure to have lots of water on hand.

Directions

The best place to start this ride is at the city park in Eagle Point on Crystal Drive and Reese Creek Road. You follow Reese Creek Rod for about 4 miles until it intersect the Butte Falls Hwy. Butte Falls is another 14 mile up the road from the junction. Follow the signs from Butte Falls to Willow Lake/Fish Lake. You will go through a canyon area as you leave Butte Falls that is a nicely shaded are for several miles. This will take you to the junction of Hwy 140 after about 18 miles. The route can be ridden in either direction. I prefer the clock-wise route as Mt McLaughlin is always in your view except when blocked by tall trees.

Traffic

Traffic is sparse but constant on the Butte Falls Hwy but pretty light on the Willow Lake/Fish Lake Road. Hwy 140 is a main road between Medford and Klamath Falls so the traffic is busy at times with thick traffic but there is a wide emergency lane for most of the ride. Watch out for the rumble strips at the edge of the road lane. These can be an annoyance on the downhill if you have to avoid any fallen rocks.

Scheduled Rides

View All Scheduled Rides

Thursday, Mar 30
- Thursday morning Ride
 
 Start time Varies: Meet at Jacksonville Library
 
 20-40 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Hilly
 
 Contact: John Fries - 541-973-1586
 
 {"id":6916,"title":"Thursday morning Ride","description":"Tony Hayes and I are starting a regular Thursday ride for vaccinated members who like to climb hills. Routes will be 20 to 40 miles ridden at a brisk-light pace with 1500-3000 feet of elevation gain. \r\nUnless specified, rides will start from the Parking lot across the bridge from the Jacksonville Library. The planned starting time for September 1st is 8:00 AM, however, starting times may be delayed or canceled due to poor weather or air quality conditions. I will endeavor to send an email notice by 7:00 AM when these situations occur. Although this is a \u201cshow and go\u201d ride, initially I will appreciate notification by email if you plan to participate.","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"20-40","ride_leader":"John Fries","phone_number":"541-973-1586","email":"friesj@sbcglobal.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1680245940,"formatted":"Thursday, Mar 30","midnightTimestamp":1680159600,"dayOfWeek":"Thursday"}}
Saturday, Apr 1
- Velo Melo
 
 Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
 
 25-30 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Lisa Brill -
 
 {"id":6284,"title":"Velo Melo","description":"Start time and location vary. 25-30 miles, Mellow pace (11-14 mph). Some hills.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Mellow (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Lisa Brill","phone_number":" ","email":"lisa4bikes@gmail.com","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1680418740,"formatted":"Saturday, Apr 1","midnightTimestamp":1680332400,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
- Brisk Ride
 
 Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
 
 50+ Miles, Brisk (>18 mph), Hilly
 
 Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
 
 {"id":674,"title":"Brisk Ride","description":"Brisk rides are for strong riders who want to ride at a brisk *average pace, with occasional sprints, and brisk climbs. The route and starting point will vary - expect some climbing and, in fact, on most days, a lot. Riders should know how to make repairs. Riders are expected to review online and understand the planned route. The Brisk group is NOT a no-drop group, slower riders are discouraged. \r\n*Average Speeds \u2013 The speeds listed are average speeds maintained for the entire ride, not the minimum or maximum speeds. To maintain the average ride speed, riders will ride far faster and far slower at times. While not required, a cycle-computer is helpful to judge average speed. In some situations, leaders may feel the conditions justify a slower average minimum speed.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Brisk (>18 mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"50+","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":"541-773-5804 ","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1680418740,"formatted":"Saturday, Apr 1","midnightTimestamp":1680332400,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
Monday, Apr 3
- Monday Coffee Ride
 
 10:30am: Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix
 
 25-30 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Some Hills
 
 Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
 
 {"id":676,"title":"Monday Coffee Ride","description":"The ride includes moderate to brisk riders who travel along a fairly flat route from Phoenix to Jacksonville. The route includes mostly lower volume roads without shoulders or those with moderate traffic with moderately wide shoulders. The exception is on ODOT's OR238 (i.e. Hanley Road) where there are no shoulders and the volumes are moderate. \r\n \r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/19152561\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/ridewithgps.com\/routes\/19152561<\/a> \r\n \r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":" 541-773-5804","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","formatted_time":{"hour":"10","minutes":"30","meridiem":"am"},"time":"10:30am","date":{"timestamp":1680543000,"formatted":"Monday, Apr 3","midnightTimestamp":1680505200,"dayOfWeek":"Monday"}}

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