Colors - Sunday, October 5, 2008 |
SUMMARY 
This year's Colors ride avoids the superslab right up until the home stretch. The morning route takes us out to Estacada and the Clackamas River Road for a warmup through its sweepers. Turning off the Detroit Lake road not long after Ripplebrook Ranger Station, it's up into the forest and over the ridge to Hwy 26 for a short two mile stretch before diving back into the woods and taking in the 'flaming maple' avenue that is the White River Road passing through Wamic and Tygh Valley to Hwy 197 at its eastern end. The town of Dufur, famous for its 'Threshing Bee', lends itself to a break for lunch. Yet another quiet backroad takes us back in a westerly direction to the foot of Mt. Hood, before turning north and heading home via Hood River to Portland on I-84 or Washington Hwy 14 for those who live north of the border. A 9:00am start gets us back to Portland 4:00pm - 5:00pm.
ROUTE DETAILS
OUT
- Meet at Elmer's Restaurant at 9660 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97216 Tel: (503) 256-0333 at 9:00am
- Go south on I-205 and leave the freeway at the Clackamas / Estacada Exit 12B and turn back over the freeway onto Hwy 224.
- Continue east on Hwy 224 approx. 3 miles. Turn right at light onto Hwy 212 toward Carver.
- In Carver, bear left and continue through Barton to Estacada.
- In Estacada, continue east on Hwy 224 over the hill and down onto the Clackamas River Road.
- Continue through Lazy Bend, Indian Henry and past Ripplebrook Ranger Station.
- After approx. 1/2 mile, turn left onto FR57. Follow signs for Hwy 26 for approx 32 miles.
- At 'T' intersection with FR42, turn left and go 1 mile to intersection with Hwy 26.
- Turn right on Hwy and go 1.8 miles and turn left onto FR43 following sign to Wamic.
- Continue on FR43 until intersection and bear right onto FR48, White River Road.
- Follow FR48 east to Wamic and STOP FOR GAS. (115 miles)
- Continue east to Tygh Valley and turn left onto Hwy 197 and go north to Dufur and STOP FOR LUNCH at the Dufur Pastime Saloon.
BACK
- Go south from the restaurant on Heimrich Road and turn right onto Dufur Valley Road.
- After approx. 5 miles, bear right and up hill onto continuation of Dufur Valley Road which becomes FR44.
- Follow FR 44 approx. 27 miles to Hwy 35 and turn right, going north.
- After approx. 5.5 miles, turn left following sign for Parkdale.
- In Parkdale, STOP FOR DESSERT at Alabama Jim's Longshot.
- From Parkdale, continue north through to Hood River.
- In Hood River, follow signs for I-84.
- Turn left onto I-84 and return to Portland / Vancouver and END OF RIDE.
STATS
- Total Miles: Approx. 260
- Longest Gas Interval Miles: Approx. 125
- Conditions as of 9/28/08: Paved forest roads with occasional extreme bumps, dips and potholes. Many (but not all) are marked, but with little warning. WARNING ! Speeds above 15mph over road damage of this severity can cause an accident and / or wheel / suspension damage. Road is paved throughout. DO NOT attempt to ride the forested sections late in the day, with insufficient gas or without a guide or GPS. Directions and map illustrations are only approximate ! Anticipate oncoming trucks and ATV's.
PHOTOS
© 2008 Open Road Rider / Contributors: Photographs and Itinerary
