Perhaps this "mountain bike" area is named after what it is going to do to your tires. Nonetheless, it is featured as a mountain bike trail, was once home to an annual mountain bike race, and is still touted as a mountain biking area. The racing was abandoned presumably because half the field was flatting or maybe because of mud problems in 2003. During recreational riding, there have been reports of a motorcycle colliding with a mountain biker and dangerous target shooting (although I did notice signs that say "no shooting" now).
Virtue Flats is certainly is an area to have some fun--3,500-acres of it--but realize it is designed and ridden primarily by ATVs. Instead of trails that caress the hills and meander lazily through the sagebrush, these trails head straight over mountains and beeline through the desert just east of Baker City. The scenery is beautiful, with the Wallowa Mountains visible to the east and the Elkhorns to the west. Most of what you will find (aside for thousands of goatheads) are dirt roads and four wheeler trails. There are some singletrack motorcycle trails and some interesting rides down washes.
Flats aside, there is some virtue to these trails. It is one of the few places in the region that can be ridden most of the year because it is so arid and exposed, so that the snow doesn't stick around long. There are lots and lots of trails in the area with plenty of options to head home (when you run out of tubes or sealant). Trail 1 serves as a good loop that crosses most of the trails. Some of the terrain features are very interesting and may serve as fun freeriding and DH. Virtue Flat is also conveniently located not to far off of the I-84 freeway. If you wait until fire danger is high, the ATVs are kicked off and you can have it all to yourself.
The loop featured here circles about half of the area and is provided just to give some perspective. It by no means covers all of the trails nor is it the best mountain bike loop among the trails. Once I get my tires repaired (yes, I even flatted a tubless tire with goatheads), I may go back and scout out the best loops for mountain biking and update it here. In reality, Virtue Flat isn't so much a ride but more of a playground with lots of options.
See the map of Virtue Flats by the BLM
Trail Notes
- The main parking is a few dusty miles down Ruckles Creek Rd. and has a toilet there but no water. There are several entry points at gates off of the paved highway, but finding a safe and legal parking area there may be difficult.
- Take a look at the map and have fun!
