I've been told it is a great ride along the Columbia river, so on my summer vacation this year we are going that way before going into Canadian Rockies. Which side should I do Washington or Oregon?
Both sides are nice. I'd ride east from Portland on the secondary roads through Troutdale and Corbett and Bridal Veil then all the way to Hood River. There are some fantastic pull-outs with incredible views. It stays interesting all the way to The Dalles, after that maybe not so much.
On the WA side going east from Vancouver on 14 there are some great views. Depending on the time of year you are travelling, you could head north from 14 at Carson or White Salmon and go up the east side of Mt. St. Helens. Once North of there, you could go east to Yakima and up the dry side or around Mt. Rainier on either side and stay on the wet side.
You'll want to go either directtion on Route 20 between Sedro Wooley and Winthrop. As you've probably figured out, there are some great east west roads north of the border as well.
I'm envious!
Steve's suggestions are good ones! There is also a nice leg from Lyle along the Klickitat River and over to Goldendale on the Washington side and from Mosier over the clifftops to The Dalles on the Oregon side(old highway 30). What are you driveing, what kind of schedule are you on and what sort of roads do you prefer?
Washington side Sr14, East of Bingen
Oregon side I-84 near Corbett
Oregon side Multnomah Falls
Oregon Side, Hwy30, East of Hood River
MtStHelens from McClellan viewpoint
Klickitat River
Hwy30
Don't forget guys, there's a lot more Columbia river downstream all the way to the Astoria Bridge and past.
Having worked on most of the Columbia River bridges from the Megler bridge at Astoria to The Northport bridge just below the Canadian border, I have enjoyed many years of riding on both sides east and west. Oregon and Washington sides. Before the road relocations on I-84 for many of the dams east of Portland one could ride close to a wild river, see massive Smelt runs at the confluence of the Sandy River, ride among huge lava flows, ride to the Cliff house, Mitchell Point, Multnomah Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and all the rest of the water falls on old Hiway 26 before they chopped it up for no motorized bike trails. You could watch the Indians at Celilo Falls net dipping salmon while precariously standing on makeshift swaying wooden platforms. We used to stop and collect arrowheads at the mouth of the John Day River. So much to see and do.
It's all slack water now, reservoirs behind dams. No more a wild river but the scenery is still there. You're just farther away from it.
Where once the Indians, Trappers and the Traders from the Hudson Bay Co. would Rendezvous is now a wind surfers paradise.
Lonnie
Although I agree with all of you that there is some great riding along the Columbia River Milo mentions that this is in route to the Canadian Rockies. The scenery along the Columbia will pale compared to the ride from Banff to Jasper in the Rockies! Truly God's country!
Thank you for the help. The pictures are great now I may have to do both sides. I'm riding a Goldwing with a Hannigan sidecar and traveling with 2 other couples on Goldwings without hacks (they don't know what their missing, and they think I'm out of my mind).
I took RT 20 2years ago from the eastern border to the west coast and it was a great ride.
If you have the time to spare, I would recommend riding up to Mt. St. Helens vocanic monument. Gorgeous ride most of the way... very eerie at the end when you come around the corner and suddenly the forest you've been riding through turns into flattened dead logs.
Also if your northbound route takes you toward Yakima, be sure to ride the canyon road between Yakima and Ellensburg... Then you could do 97 north to Canada, north to Radium Hot Springs, east to Banff and north to Jasper... Can I come too?
check out the spiral highway out of lewiston..........
my favorite
rpc
