During our finally week in Bend we rode more of our old favorites which look a lot like all the other trails in Bend so we didn’t take any pics. However, Edison to Lava Lake and back was the final ride and we snapped a few photos. For some reason this ride isn’t very popular. Dozens of cars were parked at all the other trailheads along Cascade Lakes Highway but we didn’t come across anyone else on this ride and even living here we rarely did. Quite a shame because the forest is beautiful, the riding is semi technical with some tough climbing and long descents. Plus, there are two lakes! Our ride was 20.2 miles with 2432′ of climbing.
This is all singletrack and basically you climb for the first part, then descend to Little Lava and Lava Lake and turn around and repeat. The ride starts up at Edison Snopark with a lot of sharp jagged lava rock sections that would be quite intimidating for a beginner rider. There are some punchy steep climbs and then a fairly sustained climb up to the highpoint of 5954′. We ran into about a dozen sections of snow but it was all rideable. The descent down to Lava is fast and a bit jumbly so keep your focus and pick good lines.
At Lava Lake, the turnaround point, we sat on the rocks in the sun and ate our sandwiches before climbing back on our bikes and returning. The climb back towards Edison from this side is much more technical but again, with focus and skill it’s all rideable. I was worried the snow would trip me up but to my surprise, I rode everything. It’s granny gear creeping speed in places but worth it for the fast descent on the other side.
What a great last ride here. Bye Bend.
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