The Jimerson Loop at Sisters Cow Camp, near Sisters, Oregon, is a fun, easy ride through beautiful ponderosa pine forest. In late May and early June, wildflowers abound. And you can ride it nearly year-round. Don’t miss it!
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 3,300 to 3,500 feet
Distance: 7.5 miles round trip
The Ride
You’ll start the ride at Sisters Cow Camp, a horse camp and trailhead located just four miles Sisters. Head north on the Metolius-Windigo Trail, then turn right onto the Jimerson Trail. It loops out through the forest for about five miles, then intersects again with the Metolius-Windigo Trail for the trip back to the trailhead. Some of the route is on single-track trail, and some is on dirt roads.
The Jimerson Trail is clearly signed with white trailblazer diamonds on the trees, and the Metolius-Windigo Trail is signed with yellow diamonds.
The Camping
Sisters Cow Camp has five sites with fire pits and picnic tables, plus a huge parking area that can accommodate many trailers. In the center of the camp, you’ll find four large corrals that are shared by all the sites on a first-come, first-served basis. In case the corrals are full you may want to bring a portable corral or be prepared to highline your horses among the ponderosa pines that shade the camp. The camp has a vault toilet and a seasonal stock water tank. Read all about Sisters Cow Camp at https://nwhorsetrails.com/blogs/central-oregon-horse-trails/sisters-cow-camp.
Getting There
From Sisters, drive west 1.5 miles on Hwy. 242 (follow the signs toward the high school) and turn left on Road 15. Continue 2.5 miles and turn left at the sign for Sisters Cow Camp, then drive 0.4 mile to reach the camp.
Learn More
You’ll find more information about the Jimerson Loop in the Sisters Cow Camp chapter of Riding Central Oregon Horse Trails, by Kim McCarrel, (Ponderosa Press, 2018), available at www.nwhorsetrails.com.