Outback Station
Location: Outback Station, 76231 NF-3125, Fort Rock, OR 97735
Camp Site Amenities: picnic table, fire pit, Site Type: back-in Water: Water Spigot Footing: Rocky, hoof boots recommended Cell Signal: 1 bar Att only seen periodically walking around camp, better signal on trails Dogs: Dogs allowed Other: Bath house with hot showers and electric outlets Website: https://www.facebook.com/outbackstation/ Reservations: Email or call Linda (541-777-9747), [email protected], |
Reservations
There is no official website, just a Facebook page. On the Facebook page there is a Camp Reservation Form. You can call or email Linda and email her the form. I visited during an Endurance ride. All I had to do was rsvp with the ride manager and pay when I arrived. The trails here are perfect for a good long-trot and endurance rides are perfect events for this venue.
Getting There
Driving east from Boring was pretty uneventful. There was a section of 20 minutes of rough road going east just after passing the turnoff for Timothy Lake. This trip was in 5/2023 so it may be repaired in the future. There are passing lanes on hwy 26 and as soon as you leave Mt. Hood it is smooth and straight. Driving home we took hwy 97 to hwy 58. Hwy 58 was not as smooth as the best parts of hwy 26 but was not nearly as bad as the rough patch of hwy 26. It was overall less dramatically curvy but still very beautiful. About 2 hours of the drive was north on I-5 which was flat and easy but not as pretty as hwy 26.
The last stretch of hwy 29 was pretty rough. It was paved but with lots of patches and needs some work. Turning off hwy 29 onto NF 3125 we drove 0.8 miles on dirt and gravel road. There was a left and right fork that was unlabeled but we continued straight, following signs for the endurance ride into ride camp. On google maps it shows me going off-road to get to the destination.
Must Brings
1) Satellite Phone - My signal would go in and out from 1 to zero bars as I walked around camp. I could not stand in one spot and count on a signal. I did use my Garmin unit's tracking function this trip. I was able to share my track with my husband who watched from a location with a cell signal. I also kept my Garmin on Sam and my phone on me. That way if we became separated I could track Sam via the app on my Iphone.
2) Gaia and downloaded maps - Most of the forest roads had some signs but not all of them did. I downloaded the area map on Gaia before my trip and was able to see my location and the surrounding area even though I was off-line.
3) Shade - If you visit in late May or later it will be warm in the afternoon. You can park your trailer so your horse can stand in the afternoon shade or put up an awning. A portable battery-powered fan is a great addition as well.
2) Gaia and downloaded maps - Most of the forest roads had some signs but not all of them did. I downloaded the area map on Gaia before my trip and was able to see my location and the surrounding area even though I was off-line.
3) Shade - If you visit in late May or later it will be warm in the afternoon. You can park your trailer so your horse can stand in the afternoon shade or put up an awning. A portable battery-powered fan is a great addition as well.
Horse Campsites
Outback station is a wonderful place to camp. As you drive in there is a green meadow area to graze your horse and then a large area for parking. You can spread out and use one of the provided metal 12 x 12 horse corrals or you can park and use a high-tie or your own personal fencing to contain your horse. I visited during an endurance ride. I was able to have Sam on my hi-tie and have plenty of room to ourselves. We were able to graze on the fresh grass as indicated in green and use hot showers in the bath house as indicated in red. There was a covered barn with very large paddocks and a raised roof. The trails we rode started along the orange arrows. Most of the Northern section of the property was fenced.
Pictured Below:
Green - Grassy meadow
Red - Bath house with hot water and electric outlets
Blue - Outdoor arena
Building behind arena - Large covered and gated paddocks
Yellow Circle - Well house
Pictured Below:
Green - Grassy meadow
Red - Bath house with hot water and electric outlets
Blue - Outdoor arena
Building behind arena - Large covered and gated paddocks
Yellow Circle - Well house
There was a good sized arena. The vet checks had nice footing for the trot outs.
Some of the longer distance competitors got to keep their 100 mile horses in these lovely covered paddocks.
There was a bathhouse with a fridge and electric wall outlets. The walls of the showers did not look completely finished but we were allowed to use the hot showers! The showers were big with room to put your things on the bench without getting wet. There was also shower caddies for shampoo and conditioner. The curtains closing the shower area were slightly transparent but after a hot day of riding it was not something I worried about.
There were spigots where you could refill your water bucket. It is a good idea to bring a muck bucket and a muck bucket cart. The campers were so spread out a hose would not work at an event but could work with less campers.
Riding
The trails were right out of camp. There are gates that may or may not be open depending on where the cattle are grazing. It is always a good idea to go with an experienced gate opener or a friend or spouse on foot. I love endurance rides because the route is marked with brightly colored flags and someone keeps track of when you leave and if and when you get back to camp. It is possible you could even ride an e-bike on the trails if you have a non-horsey partner.
Gebhard Well 10
Total Miles: 9.55
Time Taken: 1 hr 55 minutes Moving speed: 5.3 mph Ascent: 568 GPS Track Link This was a beautiful ride. We had to dismount for 2 gates so it interrupted the trail flow a little. The gates were close together and in the 2nd half of the ride. We went slower. It was the 2nd day of riding and I tried to walk more to just enjoy the ride. There were sections where the footing was slightly deeper sand. We are used to conditioning in a sand arena but other horses strained muscles going too fast through this sand. I love going fast but I was happy we were just "trail riding" at the endurance event. It takes all pressure off and there is nothing at stake. I could go fast because it is fun, or enjoy a fast walk and the views around me. Even Sam liked looking around and smelling all the scents the wind brought to him. |
This was the trail we rode on our second day at the endurance ride. We started out first in our "trail riding" division. I knew I wanted to ride alone and I didn't want a slow horse in front of us. This strategy worked perfectly. Sam was a freight train and we trotted 10 miles in less than 2 hours, even on the second day of riding. The trail was gorgeous! It was perfect for long-trotting! Even when I stopped for a break I could not see any of the riders behind us.
There were 2 gates we had to open. Thanks to our experience at Cyrus Horse Camp I have gotten a little better at gates. There was still lots of struggling and cursing but it went a little smoother with practice. Sam was also less spooky about the wire gate floppy around. If you see one gate, assume there is a second. I managed to get the first gate, remount then 300 yards later had to dismount again for the 2nd gate. Luckily I remembered to attach and detach my air vest prior to dismounting.
We rode up and around the south side of the "hole in the ground". It is always a happy sight when you come up to ride camp after 10 miles. Sam was not tired at all. I think he is ready for a 25.
Hole in the Ground 11
Total Miles: 10.71
Time Taken: 1 hr 45 minutes Moving Speed: 6.2 mph, mostly long-trotting Ascent: 387 feet GPS Track Link Wow, this was a fun trail. It was flat and easy. There were some gates I could tell were left open. It should depend on when your ride and when the ranchers move the cattle. There were cattle on the south trails but not the north trails so the north trail gates were left open. We got some practice long-trotting for a sustained amount of time. We walked a short gravel road section and stopped periodically mostly so I could catch my breath. We walked around the top of the crater and took many picture taking breaks and a water break. |
This route was beautiful, mostly flat and had great footing. We flew along the trail and outdistanced the rider behind us.
The best part of the trail was galloping up a nice incline to reach the top of the "Hole in the Ground". We enjoyed the view as we rode around the north side of the crater.
The picture of the crater is not very impressive. Being there in person and having the 360 view was amazing!
Ride video link
We did pass some campers with dirt bikes but luckily we had ridden most of the way around the crater before they started riding their noisy bikes.
Ride video link
We did pass some campers with dirt bikes but luckily we had ridden most of the way around the crater before they started riding their noisy bikes.
Briefly, I had a signal as I rode around the crater. I lost my signal as I rode back into camp.
We walked downhill and back into camp. Outback Station is very close to the crater and lots of riders took a hike up to the crater to see it a little better.
Longer Loops
I did not ride the longer loops. The other riders said they were easy and beautiful. Some riders got pulled after their horse went lame. They said they may have been going a little too fast. The footing is so perfect, so this is easy to do. The vet checks are the great equalizer. If you gallop your horse for 25 miles you probably won't pass the vet-check. The experienced riders go slow the first loop then gradually go faster and faster as they do more miles.
Willow Short 16
Jones Well Short 24
Shady Pines 30
Willow Butte 40
Endurance Lessons
Things I got Right:
1) How much clothes to wear - I nailed this one and it made a big difference. T-shirt and a vest and my air vest. The day started in the 50's and got to 70's
2) Stirrup length - Finally worked! I just can't change them now. I found the perfect length for long-trotting with mis-matched leg lengths.
3) I posted - No more awkward 2 point, I just posted. We got into a wonderful rhythm of long-trotting. Sam can long-trot 12 mph easily.
4) I-phone tether - This is an amazing invention that kept me from dropping my phone when taking pictures.
5) Hi-tie - Sam is a rock-star on the hi-tie. He gets more room, he can move around and we stay away from other horses.
6) Hoof Boots - They stayed on all ride both days!! This is a serious victory for all barefoot horse owners. I could cry for joy! I now have a spreadsheet that tells me which size boot to use for each hoof . This depends on how many weeks out we are from our last trimmer appointment.
7) Saddle pads - We had a fresh and clean saddle pad for each ride. This helped to prevent any cantle rubs from sweat. I learned we need to use dressage pads vs. shaped English pads which tend to rub Sam since he has a lot of side-to-side movement in the cantle.
8) Electric blanket and mattress pad - I was not cold!! I was able to recharge my Roybi batteries. Each night I could use 2 batteries per warming item.
9) Riding alone - I enjoy riding alone and so does Sam. I focus on him and we don't have to worry about getting stuck behind a slow horse.
10) Getting Lost - I did not get lost!! One of the riders said the trail was so well marked even Stevie Wonder would not get lost. I did have some zig-zags when I tested which way to go but I was never officially lost. Good job ride manager!! My trail was marked with flags but I did reference Gaia a few times to confirm the route.
Things to work on
1) I brought too many Sam snacks on the ride - Unbelievable that there is even such a thing! Apples and carrots are heavy! We were moving out, this was not our usual leisurely trail-ride.
2) Riding a 25 mile LD - I think Sam could do this. I am not sure I can. Leaving camp again to start a 2nd loop may take some practice and lots of bribery. I might need a massage and some Ibuprofen.
3) Decreasing Sam's anxiety when other horse trailers leave camp - This will take practice and some confidence building and a lot more camping trips!
4) Mattress pad 2 hour shut off - I was really warm until the pad shut off automatically. I had to wake up and restart it. I stayed warm but my sleep was interrupted.
1) How much clothes to wear - I nailed this one and it made a big difference. T-shirt and a vest and my air vest. The day started in the 50's and got to 70's
2) Stirrup length - Finally worked! I just can't change them now. I found the perfect length for long-trotting with mis-matched leg lengths.
3) I posted - No more awkward 2 point, I just posted. We got into a wonderful rhythm of long-trotting. Sam can long-trot 12 mph easily.
4) I-phone tether - This is an amazing invention that kept me from dropping my phone when taking pictures.
5) Hi-tie - Sam is a rock-star on the hi-tie. He gets more room, he can move around and we stay away from other horses.
6) Hoof Boots - They stayed on all ride both days!! This is a serious victory for all barefoot horse owners. I could cry for joy! I now have a spreadsheet that tells me which size boot to use for each hoof . This depends on how many weeks out we are from our last trimmer appointment.
7) Saddle pads - We had a fresh and clean saddle pad for each ride. This helped to prevent any cantle rubs from sweat. I learned we need to use dressage pads vs. shaped English pads which tend to rub Sam since he has a lot of side-to-side movement in the cantle.
8) Electric blanket and mattress pad - I was not cold!! I was able to recharge my Roybi batteries. Each night I could use 2 batteries per warming item.
9) Riding alone - I enjoy riding alone and so does Sam. I focus on him and we don't have to worry about getting stuck behind a slow horse.
10) Getting Lost - I did not get lost!! One of the riders said the trail was so well marked even Stevie Wonder would not get lost. I did have some zig-zags when I tested which way to go but I was never officially lost. Good job ride manager!! My trail was marked with flags but I did reference Gaia a few times to confirm the route.
Things to work on
1) I brought too many Sam snacks on the ride - Unbelievable that there is even such a thing! Apples and carrots are heavy! We were moving out, this was not our usual leisurely trail-ride.
2) Riding a 25 mile LD - I think Sam could do this. I am not sure I can. Leaving camp again to start a 2nd loop may take some practice and lots of bribery. I might need a massage and some Ibuprofen.
3) Decreasing Sam's anxiety when other horse trailers leave camp - This will take practice and some confidence building and a lot more camping trips!
4) Mattress pad 2 hour shut off - I was really warm until the pad shut off automatically. I had to wake up and restart it. I stayed warm but my sleep was interrupted.
Rating
Amazing! The camping was pretty basic but the hot showers and electric outlets made my trip!! If there was a cell signal it would be heaven. The trails are wonderful for going fast. There are gates! It is great to ride during an event where there are gate-keepers. I would absolutely go back for more riding and camping. I don't know that I will anytime soon because there are so many wonderful places to explore in central Oregon.