E-bikes NOT allowed on Upper Butte Loop
The Upper Butte Loop is accessible from the Lower Butte Loop and provides a challenging 13 mile ride around Black Butte. The trail travels through old growth ponderosa pine and mixed conifer as it circles the butte. When you approach the west and northwest sides, the ponderosa will give way to mixed conifer and sub-alpine vegetation. Occasional openings in the forest canopy will provide spectacular view of the Cascades.
Above description from the Sisters Country Trail Guide
About three trees down on the loop, but easy to around.
Couple of the switchbacks are blown out (on downhill when riding CCW) and some of the manzanita is getting a bit unruly but otherwise in great shape. Out of the way from Bend but a fun, not very technical loop.
Rode this April 19th. Lots of trees down (maybe 8 or 9?) on north side of butte with patches of soft snow. Rest of trail rode really nice. Butterflies were amazing.
Pretty good shape overall, just a few trees down in the switchback section. Keep an eye out for the flags — it’s easy to lose the trail.
Hiked about half of this trail on the weekend (should have been on my fatbike). Would be awesome on a fatbike. Mix of ridable snow and hero dirt.
Riding fairly poorly due to dust. Rode clockwise from the highway starting at LBL and up to Upper Butte. Deadfall has been cleared for the most part but due to lack of precip in recent weeks I encountered substantial deep powdery dirt. Trail is also washed out in several places with lots of loose rock throughout. Switchbacks on Northern side of Butte are in some places crumbly and you should be cautious around the edges. This trail will need several days of good rain to become more enjoyable.