Sixteen years in the making, the Mountain of the Rogue trail system, conveniently located right off Interstate 5 between Medford and Grants Pass, Oregon, continues to evolve. 

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This Spring, the IMBA Trail Solutions team returned to the sun-drenched, scrub oak-covered slopes to add another chapter to this beloved Southern Oregon riding destination, one that adds a dash of "new school, progressive flavor" to the existing network.

A Decade of Dedicated Design

But to understand where Mountain of the Rogue is going, you have to know where it started. 

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In 2009, the Rogue River Area Trail Stewards approached the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with the big idea of creating a destination trail system. Nick McDaniel, an Outdoor Recreation Planner for the BLM, overheard the conversation and, driven by his passion for mountain biking, decided to commit full send.

“I was pretty ‘green’ to trail construction back then,” Nick explains. “I’d ridden a bunch but was really passionate about understanding the design side of trails.”

Trish Lindeman, the former BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner who initially spearheaded the project, gave Nick the green light to be the main boots on the ground. The project came to life through an assistance agreement with IMBA Trail Solutions, where former project lead Shane Wilson worked closely with Nick to dial in the design and construction. “We bounced ideas off of each other often,” Nick adds. The result of that initial collaboration is a system designed as a series of stacked loops, with shared-use climbing trails and ripping, mountain bike-optimized downhill-only trails filtering off to the west.
 

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Subsequent phases involved other builders like Ptarmigan Trails, with funding largely secured through Recreation Trails Program grants. Now, in a perfect "full circle" moment, the project has a new five-year assistance agreement with IMBA Trail Solutions, ensuring a clear path for future development. That direct partnership between land manager and builder is key. "It's really cool having somebody on the ground out here who can stop by if we've got questions about flag line," says IMBA Trail Solutions Trail Specialist Matt Podraza. "It's been great to work with people who really care about this."

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More Than Dirt: A Place for Growth

That level of care is the secret sauce at Mountain of the Rogue. When trails are built with such intention, they become more than just dirt—they become catalysts. The system’s thoughtful progression makes it an idyllic place to build skills, so it’s no surprise that it has evolved into a hub for youth organizations.

Beau Jeska, the Operations Director for Youth 71 Five Ministries, has seen its transformative power firsthand. His faith-based organization, which is open to all, uses mountain biking to build trusting relationships with young people from traumatic backgrounds.

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"For kids that have failed at virtually everything in their life so far, they come out here, get to the top, and it's this huge accomplishment," Beau explains. He describes how the physical act of riding can be profound, helping to process trauma and reset brain chemistry. A pivotal moment for him came during an early ride with a youth who, after a challenging day, told him, “This is the kind of thing that dads do with their sons.” That experience solidified his belief in the power of mountain biking to forge deep connections.

And that transformative power isn’t limited to a single program. It ripples throughout the region, supported by a network of dedicated community stewards. The system is kept in prime condition thanks to countless hours from the Southern Oregon Trail Alliance and Rogue Valley Mountain Biking Association. Meanwhile, youth riders from Ashland Devo use the trails for training and racing, holding a special recreation permit with the BLM.

Fresh Dirt For Spring 2025
 

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This Spring’s additions offer a potent one-two punch for riders. On one hand, IMBA Trail Solutions delivered a dose of gravity-fueled fun. The new directional, intermediate flow trail "is really pulling you downhill," says IMBA Trail Specialist Zac Davis. "It's an experience...almost like riding a wave." This dedicated downhill will also help regulate traffic on the popular bidirectional Sasquatch trail, giving everyone more room to play.
 

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On the other hand, catering to budding riders, the new Woodrat Trail offers a beginner-friendly option funded by membership dues from the Rogue Valley Mountain Biking Association. Built by locals Jake Contreras and Bill Roussel, Woodrat is a "spicy green" packed with berms, rollers, and tabletop jumps. Its proximity to the Easy Money trail allows for creative, crisscrossing laps that are perfect for skill-building.

From a local group's vision to a multi-phase, professionally built system that now serves as a place of healing and growth, Mountain of the Rogue is a shining example of what happens when a community digs in—literally. With a new five-year agreement between the BLM and IMBA Trail Solutions in place and potential for more technical trails on the horizon, the future for this I-5 gem looks brighter than ever.
 

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Interested in collaborating with IMBA Trail Solutions on your next build project? Sculpt with Success