The road to trout lake

[siclmn]

Today I found myself in Randel Washington and going south on the road to trout lake.
The sign said 50 miles to the lake and after 10 miles I realized it was too late in the afternoon to make the ride.
My question is does the road keep going south after trout lake?
And if it does will it come out near the Columbia river?
The Google map that I looked at made it look like it ends there.

[NWTrtle]

Yes, it goes all the way south to State Route 14 just west of Bingen/White Salmon. You can then either stay on SR14, or cross in Hood River on hop on I84 in Oregon.  There are a dozen or more miles of gravel (with lots of washboarding) between Randel and Trout Lake.  Beautiful drive.

My in-laws live in Trout Lake and we have done that drive a couple of times in the Summer.

[Yakiman]

Yup ^ ^ ^

Also, heading south from Randle, NF-25 (passing the intersection with NF-99 (Windy Point)) and the continuing red routes further south is very, very interesting and scenic way to Trout Lake (and the wild huckleberry pie!!   ).

This route has only about 4 to 5-mi of good gravel in the entire way, in the section south of the Lewis River (NF-30).

It’s not as complicated or difficult as it might appear, as all roads are thoroughfare/connector roads.

Going   -Randle > NF-25 > NF-90 > NF-23 > Trout Lake-   is somewhat longer, but provides paving all the way from Randle to Trout Lake.

NF-90 (orange part over to NF-23) can seem bland and long for the most part. I much prefer the Curly Creek/red route angling southeastward to Trout Lake.

There was a map of the area in my file.  Here’s an Updated Version that might help.

Cheers

[siclmn]

Thanks for the information guys, I don't ever enjoy gravel on my bike at all so it's confusing me, is there one way with 0 gravel that you showed me?

[mcrider007]

Thanks for the information guys, I don't ever enjoy gravel on my bike at all so it's confusing me, is there one way with 0 gravel that you showed me?

Sorry, but a no gravel option doesn't exist.  FS 90 (yellow on Yakiman's map) is about 98 percent paved with a half dozen short gravel sections (that seem to get longer every year).  You do not have to follow FS 90 all the way east to FS 23; about 10 miles before you get to 23 you can avoid a couple of the gravel sections by turning south on FS 88 (there is a sign to Trout Lake) which will take you to Big Tire Junction (on the red line) and then to Trout Lake.

[Yakiman]

Sorry, but a no gravel option doesn't exist.  FS 90 (yellow on Yakiman's map) is about 98 percent paved with a half dozen short gravel sections (that seem to get longer every year).  You do not have to follow FS 90 all the way east to FS 23; about 10 miles before you get to 23 you can avoid a couple of the gravel sections by turning south on FS 88 (there is a sign to Trout Lake) which will take you to Big Tire Junction (on the red line) and then to Trout Lake.

I counted those as like road construction, etc., just a couple last time I was through. Sounds like more unrepaired wash-outs, huh? FR-88 = good alternate.

Thanks for the information guys, I don't ever enjoy gravel on my bike at all so it's confusing me, is there one way with 0 gravel that you showed me?

1. No gravel at all alternate = NF-25/NF-90/Curly Creek Rd > Oldman Pass/Wind River Rd (County-30, I think) > Carson/SR-14 > E to SR-141 > N to Trout Lake. The pie is worth it…    

2. V-Strom, GS12, Tiger, etc. (gravel non-issue       )

3. Borrow someone’s   Tenere-12 when it’s finally delivered  

[mcrider007]

1. No gravel at all alternate = NF-25/NF-90/Curly Creek Rd > Oldman Pass/Wind River Rd (County-30, I think) > Carson/SR-14 > E to SR-141 > N to Trout Lake. The pie is worth it…    

Yep, you're right, if you don't want any gravel and you don't mind getting to Trout Lake by the great circle route then going through Carson is the way to do it and the Windy River Restaurant is a great place to eat...I had breakfast there last week when I was breaking in my Tenere.