As I enjoyed my first couple pedal strokes on the Martin Bridge Trail, I began having visions of our own Eastern Oregon version of the McKenzie River Trail, but by the third stroke my hopes were dashed in a jungle of overgrowth. Even though I pressed on, there was nothing rideable and eventually I abandoned my bike because it was impossible to pull through vegetation. Someone has recently trimmed through the first few hundred feet of the trail, but then a new trail bails up to the road for a bit and then back down a precarious embankment to a difficult stream crossing and into more thick bushes.
On the map, this looks like a good trail for a 7 mile out and back along the river. Maybe next time I am near the south end of this trail, at Eagle Forks Campground, I will try seeing how far I can make it from that end. Someday I guess I will have to plan a trip with my fly fishing pole and some loppers, and enjoy a few days on this trail trying to open it up. In the mean time, we can hope a trail crew gives this trail some attention, because I certainly would love to ride along Eagle Creek.
