Travels: Routes, Destinations, etc.
- Historic Highway: Western End
From Portland, take I-84 to the Sandy river exit, just past Troutdale. Follow the signs. The route takes you through the Sandy river valley for a few miles, then you start climbing up to top of the canyon walls above the Gorge. Larch mountain is a interesting there-n-back run, if you want an add-on. The best parts of the highway start near Crown Point. The road is an amazing one for motorcycles. The highway takes you past a series of falls, including Multnomah Falls, where there are good caffeine options. The highway re-joins I-84 west of Cascade Locks. - Historic Highway: Eastern End
Starting in The Dalles, head west on Hwy 30. The road is designed to the same standard as the western end of the Historic Highway. Wonderful stuff. Make sure you stop at the Rowena Overlook. Hwy 30 rejoins I-84 around Mossier. - Underwood, WA to Lyle, WA: The long way.
From Hwy 14 in the Gorge, take Alt – 141 north near Underwood, WA or 141 in White Salmon. You want to head to BZ Corner. The road climbs out of the Gorge at a moderate pace. Watch out for rafters near Humus. If you are on Alt-141, there is one stop sign, where you turn left/north onto 141 proper as you continue north, toward BZ corner. At BZ corner, turn right/east on BZ-Glenwood Hwy, toward Glenwood and the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This road will take you out into open range land, so watch out for livestock. On a clear day, the views of Mt Adams are incredible during this section of the trip. Once you arrive in Glenwood, turn east/right at the stop sign on Glenwood – Goldendale Rd. to head toward Goldendale. There are some great curves between Glenwood and Goldendale. There is one stop sign between the two G’s at the intersection of G-G Rd and Hwy 142. You want to turn right/west and head to Klickitiat. If you reach Goldendale, you missed the turn and went too far. The road to Klickitat drops to a single paved lane within a couple miles of the stop sign as it hugs the canyon. Keep your speed in check as most of the corners are blind. Eventually, you reach the valley floor and the road opens back up. Keep heading south until you reach 14 again. You will be about 10 to 20 miles east of Underwood in Lyle, WA. - Skyline:
From Hwy 26 at Vista ridge, just west of the tunnels coming out of downtown Portland, head north on Skyline. This section is slow, twisty, semi-residential section. Continue to Burnside, turn left and take the first right about 150 yards away. This is where the more entertaining parts of the ride start. Take your time and watch out for cyclists and other obstacles. As you proceed north, traffic will lessen and lessen. Usually once I cross Germantown Rd, the road is reasonably empty. Cross over Cornelius Pass Rd, turn right at the T. This section has fewer road signs, blind corners, farm equipment and pot holes. Be mindful.There are two surprising corners. One is a blind left-hander. There is a driveway immediately across the road, so there aren’t very good signs to tell you how hard the corner is. If you are using the signs to gauge the corner, you will be in for a surprise. Right when you think the turn is letting up, it tightens without warning. The other interesting corner is a left-hander. It is marked for 25mph and I usually follow the advice. The corner is tight and manageable. The usual loose gravel changes things. Oncoming traffic usually clips the turn and kicks gravel over the entire surface. This a year round problem.
The road starts to open up when you are on the top of the ridge. The views are nice, but I rarely see anything unless I’m stopped or in a cage.
Turn right on Rocky Point Rd. This road generally sucks. It is very tight, steep, busy, and full of challenges. Watch out for sand, gravel, water on, drastic changes in light as you cross in and out of the shade. There is a crazy steep corkscrew-type corner that I usually do at about 10 mph. Mountain bikers have started using the fire roads. They park in strange places and can be in the middle of the road. Once you get off Rocky Point, you will reconnect with Hwy 30. Right takes you back to Portland. Left heads toward Scappoose, St Helens, Rainier / Longview, and eventually Astoria on the coast.
- Maryhill Art Museum
Located at the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge on Hwy 14. - Three Capes Loop
Cape Mears, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda. If possible stop at the Cape Mears Lighthouse. There are some wonderful views of the ocean, a path to the lighthouse, and the octopus tree to entertain. The north end of the loop is directly west of Tillamook. Take 3rd street out of downtown and follow the signs. The south end of the loop connects with Hwy 101.
