Places to explore

[Jerry]

I was just reviewing some ideas I jotted down about future places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

What do you think about following emigrant trails and wagon roads? There is a long section of the Oregon Trail that is parallel to a dirt road northwest of Vale, Oregon and other sections of the Oregon Trail are also accessible. Much of the Barlow Road can be driven in a SUV and I understand some of the the Applegate Road is also accessible. The Fort Walla Walla to Stielacooom Citizens Trail (Naches Pass Trail) can be followed all the way from Selah to Greenwater and there are sections of the Mullan Military Road that can still be seen from adjacent roads. Wagon roads abound, such as the Durr Road and the Colockum Road to name only two of perhaps hundreds.

How about visiting fire lookout towers? That would make for a diverse agenda and would take us to all corners of the Pacific Northwest and just about everywhere between.

A general area that appeals to myself and a few other folks with whom I have spoken is south-central and south-eastern Oregon including Steens Mountain, the US National Antelope Refuge, the Alvord Desert, Leslie Gulch, the Owyhee River country and miles of lonely, remote dirt roads south of Jordan Valley.

What about the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway? The first route traverses the state in a north-south direction in the vicinity of Hwy 395 and takes several days to complete. A fantastic overland adventure. There are now three separate routes including one on the western slopes of the Cascades.

Anybody have other ideas?
Jerry

[Steve]

Those all sound like great ideas.

Here is a link for Northwest fire lookouts that can be used for research/trip planning: http://www.firelookout.com/

Steve

[Jerry]

Thanks, Steve, I bookmarked the site. It is a good one to have available for our regular mountain drives, and especially for specific treks to fire lookouts. I also added it to the links section on the Backroad Drivers Northwest group.

[Toy Man]

What about the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway?

I assume you are talking about the Oregon Back Country Discovery Routes. Home page for them is http://www.oohva.org/ . You will have to purchase the maps. The main route from California to Wash. will probably take 8 to 11 days in a 4x4. I think the central cascades south took us 3 1/2 days. The other route was 1 1/2 days.

Two more routes are nearing publication.

Toy Man

[Jerry]

Thanks, Toy Man, I have read trip reports on the eastern route over the years and one of our members has the maps. I understand the total distance is closer to 900 miles than the advertised 700+/-. One of these days we may get around to driving it. I am also interested in the other two routes.

You mentioned it took you 3.5 days to run the Central Route. Can you give us a trip report and pictures if you have them? I know others will be interested in that route, too.

I understand there is now a western route running down the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades. Is that the route that took you 1.5 days or is there even a 4th route?

All of the tours sound like fun and any information you can pass on would be most appreciated.

Thanks!
Jerry

PS Washington doesn't have an official Back Country Discovery Route, but Steve of this forum created his own with his WASHINGTON CASCADES OVERLAND ROUTE, a 4-day trip from Carson on the Columbia River north to the Canadian Border near Nighthawk.

[Toy Man]

The 3 1/2 days was from Big Lake/Santiam Pass summit down the spine of the cascades to the California border. I think I am recalling the number of days correctly. Will have to dig out my trip reports and post them. Must have some pictures somewhere that I can post also. Might be a day or two.

Toy Man

[IronViking]

Does the route % have any parts actually in WA.?
Or is this map they offer ony show the Ore. roads?
Thanks,
Sean

[Toy Man]

Oregon only.

[terrancebailey]

Originally Posted by Jerry

Thanks!
Jerry

PS Washington doesn't have an official Back Country Discovery Route, but Steve of this forum created his own with his WASHINGTON CASCADES OVERLAND ROUTE, a 4-day trip from Carson on the Columbia River north to the Canadian Border near Nighthawk.

jerry,
any chance of getting some info on the washington overland route, i would be very interested in riding it maybe this up comming summer

[Jerry]

Originally Posted by terrancebailey

jerry,
any chance of getting some info on the washington overland route, i would be very interested in riding it maybe this up comming summer

I cede to Steve on the details, but you can find his trip report in this forum under Completed Trips or go to the following link:
Washington Cascades Overland Tour 2007