Oregon / Washington Route Suggestions

[Pelagic]

We are making a late run up the coast and I hope some of you could give me some routing suggestions.

We are coming up the coast roads from LA then going inland with the Columbia River gorge. From there the plan in general is to cross the state, soak up some of what the state has to offer and head back south on the eastern side of the state.

Problem is there are a LOT of squiggly roads on the map.
Question is; which are the best and which are worth avoiding?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

[jsanford]

North Cascades if the weather's good.  On the eastern side, Flowery Trail Road by 49 Degrees North ski resort.

Tacoma to Seattle and north, 509 and any road with "Olympic View" in the name, for the most part.

Mount Rainier to Yakima.

[owrstrich]

greetings pelagic...

have you been up there before... late run... when you rolling...

oregonmotorcyclist.com is your friend..

vista house along the columbian river for sure...

or 3... the rattlesnake if you are going that far north n east...



j o

[Mrs. DantesDame]

That was a huge, open-ended question    but here's my shot at it:


View Larger Map

Portland (an assumption) to Carson is a good start (Old Hwy 30,(Rowena Curves, is worth hitting). Watch for LEOs on the north side of the river.
Also watch for LEOs on Canyon Rd north of Yakima

I know that I took you all the way across WA on this one, but I love the stretch of road between Lewistown and Enterprise  

Also, anything near the east side of the Cascades (running N/S) is undenably dull, so stay further east and enjoy the hotter and dryer and more curvy roads near Spray, Fossil, Condon and Burns. 395 down to Lakeview is surprisingly good.

[owrstrich]

View Larger Map

that route would be worthy of windy ridge... paradise... sunrise... since he will be so close...

j o

[UHOH]

We are coming up the coast roads from LA then going inland with the Columbia River gorge.
 From there the plan in general is to cross the state, ... and head back south on the eastern side of the state.

Portland, OR --> up the Col. R. gorge as you say --> The Dalles, OR or Biggs, OR (your choice) --> Fossil, OR
Fossil, OR --> John Day, OR (your choice of routes)
John Day --> Burns, OR --> Lakeview, OR or French Glen, OR / Winnemucca, NV (gives you a big choice of how far inland you want).
Then home on routes I've not been on ...



ride report time in 2 weeks?

[Pelagic]

Oh those are all very helpful, thanks!

Leaving Monday morning (tomorrow) bright and early hoping to bust free of LA traffic before it gets too onerous.  Weather at this point looks promising for the entire run, chilly but dry for the most part, coast cities excepted of course but then that 's just unavoidable. All you can do is take the right gear.

Dante; that's perfect and I had a similar route down to John Day, yours looks better. I was up there a couple years ago but never got to finish the run because somebody did a u-turn in font of me and totaled the bike out just nort of J-D, (Dale?) so I'm looking forward to finishing the ride. It's lovely country side, unbelievable, and I live in socal.

Owstrich; That map's a prize, thanks I'm going to have to see how to fit that in but if it's as promising as it looks, ...    The link is going to be well used, thanks for everything.

Uhoh, JSanford; Thanks alot, I will digest those on the road and see what fits!

thanks everybody for your input!
Jim

[R Doug]

Mountains:

When you're planning, keep in mind "Stevens Canyon Road" between Paradise (on Mt. Rainier) and Hwy 123 is closed.

National Forest Road 25 between Swift Reservoir and Randle, WA is a very fine motorcycle road.  Be sure to fuel up because there is nothing on that road.  

If the weather allows you, take Windy Ridge Road to the overlook of Mt. St. Hellens.  

Coast:

A few excellent stops include the Columbia River Marintime Museum in Astoria, OR and Sleepy Monk Coffee Brewers in Cannon Beach, OR.  This is the best coffee I have ever had.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

An few excellent stops include the Columbia River Marintime Museum in Astoria, OR and Sleepy Monk Coffee Brewers in Cannon Beach, OR.  This is the best coffee I have ever had.  

On this note, are you interested in "sights" along the way? Like seeing the Grand Coulee Dam? Ferries? Historic stuff? Food stops? Camping/motels? Or is this more about seeing the world from the back of your bike (which is always acceptable, of course)

[Pelagic]

Dante, this trip is a little slower pace (in terms of miles/day anyway) and the intent was to get to know the area a little more so those suggestions are spot on.  Especially the one regarding the "best coffee ever".  I've already plugged that into the GPS so I'll be sure to find it!  And thanks too RDoug for the notes on route closures.

I'm staying in hotels and interested in whatever the area offers. I will probably bring a group uway p this with me next summer and wanted to know my way around. Good food, coffee stops and sights are definitely part of the package. My only limitation is days, I need to be home before halloween.

Today I'm going through Lassen NP and spending the night in Redding so that I've got enough time to see the park. Tomorrow I head to the coast on CA299 and expect to spend that night somewhere near Crescent City, CA. The night after that looks to be in or near Astoria. From there I'm turning east with your help and could spend a day (or a couple) in / around the area if the riding is there. The next step then would be to head back towards Trinity Lake / Shasta and taking 3/36 to the coast before heading south along the coast towards home. Sort of a figure-eight run, I didn't want to just hammer the coast road and there are two GREAT roads between Redding and the coast, ...  

Thanks again!
Jim

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Today I'm going through Lassen NP and spending the night in Redding so that I've got enough time to see the park. Tomorrow I head to the coast on CA299 and expect to spend that night somewhere near Crescent City, CA. The night after that looks to be in or near Astoria. From there I'm turning east with your help and could spend a day (or a couple) in / around the area if the riding is there.

In that case, here are some Oregon-specific sites:

-   Heaven on Earth Bakery. If you find yourself on/near I-5 at exit 86, stop here. Your stomach will thank you
-   Tillamook Cheese factory – take the tour!
-   Evergreen Aviation Museum -  (McMinnville) – home of the Spruce Goose!

That area also has a lot of good breweries, but since I don’t drink, I don’t pay too much attention to which ones are best 

[R Doug]

-   Tillamook Cheese factory – take the tour!

+1  I forgot about that one.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Oh, and just south of McMinnville is the Wheatland ferry, if you like ferries...

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Here's a shot from inside the bakery - they had just pulled this out of the oven. You can only imagine how good it smelled inside. Seriously - I can't recommend this place enough. I had a home-made chicken pot pie there. Best I've ever had

[owrstrich]

rodger that r doug...

i didnt know the 123 is closed...

here you go pelagic... i know you are rolling... butts these may be helpful if you check in...

washington mountain passes...

washington state roads by the numbers...

orogoon roads by region...

california mountain passes...

california roads by the numbers...

j o

[R Doug]

123 is open.  It's  "Stevens Canyon Road" between Paradise (on Mt. Rainier) and Hwy 123 which is closed for repair.  

[Need For Speed]

123 is open.  It's  "Stevens Canyon Road" between Paradise (on Mt. Rainier) and Hwy 123 which is closed for repair.  

I really needs it, looks like they are finally going to fix it properly: http://www.nps.gov/mora/parknews/stevens-canyon-road.htm

Every time I ride Stevens canyon, I swear to not do it again - but always end up there anyways  



Couldn't go wrong with a run up the west side of St. Helens - if the weather is clear it is a spectacular thing to see.


Picture from 2 years ago, about this time of year - first snowfall