Adventure Ride Recommendations near Portland, OR?

[Mtbjay]

Well, it's that time of year again! Spring is coming and I am day dreaming about this season's rides. Can anyone suggest a good Spring time adventure route near Portland?

I've had my Tenere for a year now and am ready for a mild adventure ride. I'll be replacing the stock Metzler's soon, but will likely stick with a dual-sport 90/10 (maybe 80/20) tire, so the "off-road" portion needs to be tame (i.e. forest service roads). With so many mountains and forests near us, there must be some really fun routes - if one knows the way. I have a GPS, but it's road oriented - so I'll be relying on maps for the off-the-beaten-path portions.

I live out in Sherwood (a deep SW suburb of Portland) and usually ride with my buddy Brian on his Buell Ulysses. He uses Michelin Pilot tires so, as a pair, we're restricted to dirt roads (beside, something is always rattling loose on that beast of his :) so I dare not get too remote. I would be open to new riding partners if anyone is interested. As for me, I am a fairly capable rider, but only have 6-7 years of motorcycling under my belt. I've raced bicycles all my life, which gave me transferrable skills and confidence on a motorcycle (I like to go fast). The rides I plan usually take place on minor roads with as many curves, hills and valleys as I can find to keep things interesting and active.

 

[yz454]

I,am in Newberg let me know what you want to ride.

 

[Mtbjay]

Thanks, Ron. I still have your # from the message you sent awhile back. We're practically neighbors (I'm in Sherwood) and it would be cool to hear about some of your recommend rides. I've ridden a few dirt roads around Bald Peak, Mt. Hood and the Coast Range, but really only short connector roads. A real dirt adventure over the Coast Range or in the Cascades would be awesome. I don't know what I can get away with on the old Metzlers, but I'm feeling a bit more adventurous. I've yet to install crash bars or a skid plate, so I'm thinking more maintained forest service roads that lead overland. Anything near us come to mind?

 

[yz454]

ya give me a call.

 

[krussell]

Assuming 'Adventure Ride' is between 60 and 80% pavement where the off pavement part is gravel forest roads, here are some suggestions... All S10 / 80/20 tire friendly. Some 'remote' in the sense that you may not see another person all day, and your cell won't work, but you'll always be with in 20ish miles of a commonly traveled road. I highly recommend a skidplate at a minimum, after only 4k mine has a stripe down the center from gravel / rocks coming off the front wheel, and I've put some serious dents in others riding 'forest roads.'

Coast Range

From Yamhill take Pike Road, Turner Creek Road, then Trask road through to Tillamook - Can have heavy truck traffic during the week depending on where they are loggin.

From Carlton take Meadowlake road to Bald Mt. Road to SR14. SR14 past Mt. Hebo (great views) down to town of Hebo. Have a sandwich at the place with the massive fishing pole.

Shorter loop with a taste of gravel. From Carlton head out Meadowlake and you'll pass a 2-3mile gravel section. After the pavement start take your next left, it's gravel back to bald Mt.

Get to Tillamook via your route of choice, then head North and take Miami Foley Road to Foss. Take Foss through to 26, really spectacular right now, the river is ragin'.

When you get comfortable, take Hwy 6 to Jones Creek to Diamond Hill past Triangulation Peak then down the other side on Fb8n to Cook Creek (great camping) and over to Foss.

Head toward Astoria via 202, and take Northup Creek Road north to Cow Creek to Simonsen, then Nicolai Ridge, then Single mill and land on Hwy 30 near the Ferry.

Take 99/18 to 22, then North on 22 to 2282. Take that north to 2210, you'll eventually come past South lake and run in to FS14.

Those are all year round, but require some prudence when it's cold due to frost, or really, really wet.


Cascade Range (all subject to sno pack 'til May-Jul) depending on the winter...

Hwy26 to Rhododendron, take Still Creek Road 2612, out to Trillium Lake. Just before Trillium lake you can turn South/East on Kinzel Lake Road. It's out and back, and very rocky in places, but the lake is cool, and you often have it to yourself.

Hwy26 to Zig Zag, Lolo Pass FS18 over to Dee -> Hood River. Most people go that way, I like to head of on FS16 toward Parkdale. Some fantastic views either way.

Hwy 26 to Hwy 35 to Barlow Road, then Old Barlow Trail (not FS road, don't try it wet, but OK dry) then Farlow, Smock, White River Crossing, Victor, into Maupin.

There's all sorts of stuff along the Clackamas River Road FS46 between Estacada and Detroit, and a bunch of ways to cross over to Hwy 26. Too much to list.

On the Washington side of the River, head to wind river and do the first leg of the WABDR, back via Hwy 25. Long day, but really pretty. Lot's of camping along the way.

Along Hwy 25, head up to Windy Ridge on 99, take some of the gravel roads off of 99.

One of my favorite rides last year, which I did before I got my S10 last fall, was I5 down to 22 over to North Fork Road toward Opal Scenic Aria, 2207 south past Opal Lake, then 2223 in to Detroit. From Detroit, North on Breitenbush Rd to 4220 toward Brietenbush lake. (really rocky) Then up 4220 past Ollalie Lake and continue up 4220, then 42, then Timothy lake and work your way home by heading east via your route of choice.

On Hwy 22, approaching Detroit from the East, Turn north over the Damn onto 2212 and work your way to NF-11, then NF-10 back into Detroit. Lot's of places to explore along the way.

Everything I've learned has been exploring, poking around, etc., studying national forest recreation maps and Motor Vehicle Use Maps, and from the ADVrider threads 'PDX Off Pavement' and 'Ridin' around the hood'

We live in a spectacular ridin' area, here are some highlights from the routes above... Most on the S10, some on my Husky, but all will have been on the S10 by the end of 2014.

Happy to show you or anyone any of these routes.

 

[rotortech71]

Krussell, thanks so much for taking the time to post some ideas like that! I printed them off so I can look them over. Is the pic with the horses and wagon on the Barlow trail? That's an area I've been wanting to explore.

Mtbjay, I've seen you here before, and I know we've talked a little. I'm in Sherwood too, and we should definitely ride soon. I have weekends off, and every other Friday.

 

[yz454]

Just got back from around nestucca this after noon left at 2 .

 

[krussell]

Just got back from around nestucca this after noon left at 2 .

The river had to be movin'. I tried Foss Road along the Nehalem Friday afternoon, it was raging. Spectacular. Didn't take the camera, but it wouldn't have done it justice. Today I rode out the gorge on 14, back on the old scenic hwy. The waterfalls are just crazy. Riding pass Horsetail falls was like a drive through car wash. Bike needed it! There are little waterfalls everywhere. First ride in a long while I didn't turn on the heated vest!!!!!

 

[krussell]

Is the pic with the horses and wagon on the Barlow trail? That's an area I've been wanting to explore.

Yep. I was headed east, there were about 14 wagons headed west. I pulled off, got out my lunch, and watched 'em go by. Lot of kids, very cool. It's a great route. I did it on my Husky last year, I have not done it on the S10, but it would do fine. Parts are dirt, not gravel, but in pretty decent shape.

 

[Mtbjay]

Yep. I was headed east, there were about 14 wagons headed west. I pulled off, got out my lunch, and watched 'em go by. Lot of kids, very cool. It's a great route. I did it on my Husky last year, I have not done it on the S10, but it would do fine. Parts are dirt, not gravel, but in pretty decent shape.

My apologies, I haven't replied to the input here for awhile... I was on vacation and lost track....

Kevin, I would definitely be interested in riding the Barlow Route you mentioned. I used to coordinate a bicycle ride called the "Barlow Trail Century," a few years back - so it would be fitting! I don't know how you do it, but you seem very well traveled. I'd jump at the chance to ride together someday.


Jason

 

[Mtbjay]

ya give me a call.

Will do!

 

[Mtbjay]

Krussell, thanks so much for taking the time to post some ideas like that! I printed them off so I can look them over. Is the pic with the horses and wagon on the Barlow trail? That's an area I've been wanting to explore.

Mtbjay, I've seen you here before, and I know we've talked a little. I'm in Sherwood too, and we should definitely ride soon. I have weekends off, and every other Friday.

Rotortech,

Give me a call sometime: (503) 939-0152. Weekends are good, and I sometimes can break away early Fridays too.


Jason

 

[Mtbjay]

Weekend Ride: Molalla

Took S. Molalla Forest Road to Table Rock Trail (most of the way) this past weekend. Good amount of gravel there... Me and my S-10 (with aging rubber, no less), left my buddy and his Buell Ulysses in the dust (Traction 2). Gave me an appetite for more.


I need to meet up with other S-10 riders soon who like to explore! ::018::


Can anyone recommend a cheap skid plate that allows for easy oil filter access? Seems to be in order ... Crash bars too...

(BTW, Beaverton Yamaha is ordering the warranty headlamp harnesses on a as needed basis... I'm still waiting for them to call. Yamaha recommends to STOP RIDING until replaced. {Yah, right.} Good thing I have Aux lights!)

 

[krussell]

Kevin, I would definitely be interested in riding the Barlow Route you mentioned.

That one will be a while. Snow has to melt, rain has to stop, mud has to dry. Good summer ride though.

 

[tomatocity]

That one will be a while. Snow has to melt, rain has to stop, mud has to dry. Good summer ride though.

Hey we will take some of that rain. I can always ride to Central California to dry out.