For the best of both Oregon worlds, beat a hasty retreat to Bend, a central city home to a culturally-oriented community and close to ski slopes, raftable river, ragged mountains, golf courses, top climbing spots and peaceful forest.
The trail overlooks the historic Dixie switchbacks used and abandoned by the Sumpter Valley Railway. The switchbacks were built to maintain acceptable grades into the John Day Valley. At 5277 feet, it was the highest point on the original Sumpter Valley Railway mainline. Interpretive signs along the route show history of the Sumpter Valley Railway and how it came to be built into Prairie City and why the route was abandoned.
Details
Length:
0.25 mile
Difficulty:
Difficult
Time:
30 mins
Trailhead Elevation:
5250
Elevation Range:
5250 feet to 5277
Elevation Change:
27
Usage:
Light
Season:
April to November
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Prairie City, travel east on US Highway 26 about 8 miles. The interpretive site is located before Dixie Summit, on the right hand side of the road.
Northern OregonFrom majestic Mount Hood to the green and sprawling Willamette Valley, Oregon's Mount Hood Territory is a place to be explored. Enjoy conquering historic hiking trails or take on Mount Hood on skis for an experience not soon to be forgotten. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Albany Visitors Association Central Oregon
Albany Visitors Association
Central OregonPlan Your Visit
Explore on foot, by bicycle, boat, or car. Albany is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Frontier Oregon Eastern Oregon
Frontier Oregon
Eastern OregonOut here wide-open skies, sagebrush plains and craggy mountain ranges lay claim to the landscape. What you make of this region’s vast outdoor playground is entirely up to you. For a dose of history there are wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail, vibrant prehistoric fossil beds and eerie ghost towns. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
We also have the following visitor guides in Oregon. Click on any additional guides you would like to receive.
Oregon's Mt Hood Territory Northern Oregon
Oregon's Mt Hood Territory
Northern OregonFrom majestic Mount Hood to the green and sprawling Willamette Valley, Oregon's Mount Hood Territory is a place to be explored. Enjoy conquering historic hiking trails or take on Mount Hood on skis for an experience not soon to be forgotten. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Albany Visitors Association Central Oregon
Albany Visitors Association
Central OregonPlan Your Visit
Explore on foot, by bicycle, boat, or car. Albany is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Frontier Oregon Eastern Oregon
Frontier Oregon
Eastern OregonOut here wide-open skies, sagebrush plains and craggy mountain ranges lay claim to the landscape. What you make of this region’s vast outdoor playground is entirely up to you. For a dose of history there are wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail, vibrant prehistoric fossil beds and eerie ghost towns. Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested!You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
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