Home
6 in Oregon of 40 Routes 37 Miles 1 Followers
11 Rode it 9 Want to Ride it
Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
4.5 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.5
10 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By ruffjeepster (7 McR Points) on Nov 18, 2011

Rider Reviews

No Image Found
cbx4evr
11 McR Points
Another awesome road defeated by the mighty…
Thumbsup
No Image Found
Guest
Short, but too much fun! Truly a unique route…
Thumbsup

Written Directions

Start at junction on Oregon State Highways 126 and 242 just West of Belknap Springs, Oregon. Follow Hwy 242 East stay on 242 until Sisters, Oregon

Scenery

Dense evergreen forests open up into mountain pass surrounded by volcanoes. Maybe the only place in the US outside of Hawaii you drive through a lava flow field. Incredible black lava flow fields with high alpine pine trees fighting to survive in sanitized landscape. On the pass you are surrounded by volcanic cinder cones and mountains some covered year round with snow.

Drive Enjoyment

Highway speed limit is very slow 35mph to 45 mph in most places, with gravel sliding off hillsides onto inside corner on the assent. However the views are well worth the extra time, you don't want to go much faster anyway because the scenery is so stunning. Pavement surface is excellent because there is so little traffic and the road is open half the year or less.

Tourism Opportunities

At the top of the pass there is a observation point build out of lava/basalt rock. All the surrounding peaks are identified by peering through holes in the walls of the observation building. There are outhouses at this stop and trail heads for hiking paths through the lava fields. No gas/food or amenities the entire route. Gas up somewhere along hwy 126 or if your leaving from Sisters gas up there.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Road only open seasonally.
 

Top Images

Share Your Comments ( 4 )
  Earn McR Points
No Image Found
cbx4evr
11 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Another awesome road defeated by the mighty Goldwing. Had a great drive. Coming from the west about ten miles in it started raining. The higher we got the harder it rained. By the time we got to the summit it was raining too hard to stop or even take a picture. Fogged right in. Still snow on the ground along side the road. Still had an awesome ride and would recommend it to everyone. Passed lots of bikes coming from the east.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
1 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Guest
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Short, but too much fun! Truly a unique route through the lava fields and fantastic views at the top. The westside definitely has more twists and turns. Be sure to save time to walk the streets of Sisters.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
1 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
The Shadow Knows
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
I started in Spingfield and headed east on 126. I took 242 to Redmond. This was my first ride after purchasing my Shadow Spirit. The ride was fun even though care needed to be taken on the sharp curves. Many had gravel from vehicles that drifted off the pavement. I especially enjoyed the lava park with its senic sturctures and views.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
1 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
dbower
12 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Loved this road, surprised it is not ranked higher. The elevation limits the time of year the road is open. The narrow twisties up through the trees are great fun, though it’s not something you want to break speed records on. Riding through the lava fields was like being on another planet.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
0 riders found this road review useful