Just as golf courses have signature holes, mountain biking areas can have their signature sections.

For any given mountain bike ride, a certain part of a trail can linger in a cyclist’s mind long after the experience.

At the Maston area just southwest of Redmond, one such memorable section for me is the Rockbar Trail, which parallels the picturesque Deschutes River canyon deep in the high desert.

But aside from the views along that short stretch of less than a mile, what makes that portion of trail noteworthy is simply the way it is designed. At first glance, the trail appears an impossibly technical jumble of rocks along the edge of the canyon. But the rocks are perfectly positioned for mountain bikers to ride over while carefully sneaking glances of the river far below.

And for those who would rather stop to take in the views, several viewpoints are located just off the trail.

As the mountain biking season starts in earnest in Central Oregon, Maston should not be overlooked as a place to ride. While it is mostly a winter destination for local riders, the trails remain in decent shape, though they will likely become increasingly sandy in the weeks to come.

At Maston, hardcore bikers can power through miles and miles of singletrack, but the majority of the trails there are also flat and easy enough for kids.

I rode one 8-mile loop with my 8-year-old son last month at Maston, then returned last week alone to ride 15 miles — and take on the Rockbar Trail twice. That trail is probably not the best place to take youngsters, but most of the other trails in the Maston system are smooth enough for kids.

Located off Cline Falls Highway between the town of Tumalo and Eagle Crest Resort, the Maston area includes nearly 20 miles of singletrack with a wide variety of loop options. And because of the gently rolling relief of the Maston Plateau, it is the perfect place for a mellow ride to kick off the mountain bike season.

The Bureau of Land Management has designated Maston as a mountain biking area in the Cline Buttes Recreation Area Plan. Maston constitutes about 4,000 acres of the plan’s 32,000 acres (50 square miles), where trails are in the works for mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders.

Over the last few years the BLM’s development of Maston as a mountain biking destination has become evident, with trail junction signs and a trailhead with a map kiosk, restrooms and designated parking.

Last week, on a strikingly beautiful spring day with temperatures nearing 75 degrees, I made the 20-minute drive from Bend to Maston. Just one mountain bike trail starts from the Maston Trailhead, but later in the ride several junctions forced me to make some decisions. Fortunately, a map on the website ormtb.com can help bikers navigate the relatively confined trail system.

I rode east toward the Deschutes River on the Headgate Trail, which cuts along an old canal. From there, I turned onto the Rockbar Trail, negotiating the numerous rocks along the edge of the canyon rim.

After stopping to enjoy the view at a flat spot along the cliff side, I noticed two large raptors soaring over the canyon. One of them, a turkey vulture, came within about 10 feet of me after landing on the canyon rim.

Back on the trail, I headed north along the Talon Trail, then onto the Rabbit Loop Trail. The trails were fast and smooth, other than occasional short, rocky sections.

The area is mostly open desert, with lots of juniper trees dotting the stark landscape. To the west, the snowcapped peaks of Broken Top and the Three Sisters glowed white against the bright blue sky.

The desert terrain does not offer a vast array of changing features, but rather constant rolling singletrack that most cross-country riders would appreciate. Neither harrowing descents nor steep, sustained climbs await, but bikers can gain decent speed along several downhill straightaways.

I looped backed south along the Oregon Sunshine Trail, then completed a smaller loop along the Headgate, Talon, Lost Dream and Big Bark trails.

I rode for about 15 miles, and it felt like a solid workout for an early-season ride. Mountain bikers at Maston can opt for a relatively easy, short loop, or take on multiple loops for a more challenging outing.

Either way, they will experience some of the best desert singletrack in Central Oregon.

— Reporter: 541-383-0318,

mmorical@bendbulletin.com