The trails were fast and the boys faster. But don’t worry… they never got away from this pedal-mania MTB gal. We recently headed out to southern Oregon for a fall mountain biking trip and Grants Pass was up first on the itinerary. I call this Chasing Boys MTB style in Cathedral Hills Grants Pass OR.
To bike Grants Pass or not to bike Grants Pass… is really not the question. This town is amazing! Along with its quaint downtown, shops, art, and friendly community, they have some sweet mountain biking trails that any MTBer shouldn’t miss.
Want to learn more about all Grants Pass has to offer? Check out our article: It’s The Climate – Things To Do In Grants Pass OR
Alex and I just visited here for a fall mtb road trip, and it was worth every mile getting here. From Tahoe, it’s about 400 miles so a day’s drive. But not an exhausting one. We rolled into town with enough time to unload the truck, our bikes, and grab dinner.
Glorious Cathedral Hills Trails
Cathedral Hills is only one trail network that Grants Pass Oregon has to offer. The other is MOTR (Mountain of the Rogue), but that’s for a different time.
Is This Bend, OR?
When we first pulled into town, if I didn’t know we were in Grants Pass, I could’ve thought we were in Bend, Oregon, albeit 10+ years ago. The feel of the roads curving, the sidewalks and shops, all the green spaces, as well as a river of their own. It’s the Rogue River instead of the Deschutes, but the similarity is still there.
400 Acres Of Trails
The Cathedral Hills trail network is close enough to town that you can ride your bike right to them and not have to drive to a trailhead. Personally, I like not always having to drive to start my ride. Sometimes I just want to get on my bike and go!
My description of this trail network is simple – the trails are fun. Just downright fun! Easy to navigate as they have signs graded in colors like a ski resort and lots of them. You can ride through luscious forests of gigantic manzanitas, the size of them I have never seen before this trip. I mean like 20 ft tall, not a 4 ft bush. And then transition to trails of tree roots, amazing views of town below, and some fast dirt to really get ripping. Of course, these are multi use trails so watching out for others, especially hikers is a good idea. We ran across a few so not going mach 10 is a good idea.
Why So Friendly
Everyone we met at the trailhead and on the trails were so friendly. Genuinely nice outdoorsy folk that care that you’re having fun or curious to learn where you’re from. They asked where we were riding and then told us of some great hike or ride they’d had on the trails lately. And then of course you pet their cute dog before parting. I’ve never met such friendly people outdoors before.
Bathrooms Matter
What might seem like a silly feature but is a big deal when you come from a region that doesn’t have it… all the major trailheads have bathrooms. Actual enclosed bathrooms to use. We’re used to trailheads that are just a dirt sign or maybe not even that and then you’re on your own. Knowing you can show up at the trailhead hydrated, in need of a bathroom break and then get to repeat that when you’re done riding is quite a calming notion. I’m not saying I have a problem finding a quiet tree far off the trail, but a bathroom just makes the whole process easier.
Bigger Is Cooler
And if you’re into local flora, Cathedral Hills has the two largest species of trees in the state of Oregon. The whiteleaf manzanita and the knobcone pine are their biggest right here on the trails! We have lots of manzanita in the Sierra, but not like this. I’ve fallen many times into our local manzanita bushes and gotten scratched up. But here in Grants Pass, if you fall into a manzanita, you’ll just smash your face and bounce off what looks like a 20 ft manzanita tree from Jack and the Beanstalk.
New Is Scary
This was a new place for me to ride and sometimes that gives me anxiety not knowing the dirt, trails, or nuances of the terrain. But at the same time, stretching outside my comfort zone is how I find my new favorites, in people, places, activities, you name it. So I rode. I conquered. I came home happy, energized, and ready to do it again. And I remember thinking to myself as I flew down the trails how I wasn’t nervous about what was ahead. I’m usually cautious on new terrain, not knowing its obstacles and features. But for some unknown reason, Cathedral Hills Grants Pass OR put me at peace and let me fully rip it through their trails for an epic morning in southern Oregon.
