Paulina Creek Waterfalls Mountain Biking

This section of the Peter Skene Ogden Trail showcases some of the larger waterfalls on Paulina Creek, located near La Pine, Oregon. Note that this section of trail (on the north side of Paulina Creek) is for uphill biking only.  

You can start the trip at a Gravel pullout about 2 miles before reaching McKay Crossing Campground. To get to this starting point, turn off of Paulina Lake Road onto Forest Road 2120 and park at the first small gravel pullout on the left. 

If you wish to shorten the trip, an alternative start is at McKay Crossing Campground a couple of miles further down Forest Road 2120.  This portion of the trail contains a moderate uphill section as well as a few short, steeper parts. At about 3 miles from Paulina Lake the trail flattens out.

The ride down is found on the south side of the creek by following a ski trail, taking the paved highway, or by coming down the power line road, which is a fast dirt road with some washboards. The best options for biking down the south side are crossing the creek at one of the falls and walking your bike up to the gravel power line road and riding downhill to your starting point.

To visit all of the waterfalls on the creek, it is best to get an early start and bike all the way to Paulina Creek Falls (the largest of all the waterfalls), then returning via Newberry Crater Road or the gravel power-line road.  This option is about 5 miles of uphill trail from McKay Crossing.