Overall Route Rating
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4.38 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.38
18 Reviews

The Estacada to Detroit Lake highway

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Apr 30, 2006

Rider Reviews

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ConnieVulcan800
2 McR Points
March 28, 2013
This is our favorite 1 day ride. Don't plan to do…
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Guest
September 2, 2010
Rode this last weekend (Aug 28,2010) w/a friend…
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Written Directions

The route starts in the town of Estacada, OR (which is about 20 miles south east of Portland, OR). Start in Estacada and get on the Clackamas Highway (AKA Route 224) and head south. Take this about 70 miles to the end point of Detroit, OR. Note: when you go through the town of Ripplebrook the name of the road will change to Clackamas River Road (NF-46) but will be the same road. At Breitenbush the road changes names again to Breitenbush Road but is still the same road. This will take you right into Detroit, OR.

Scenery

This route travel entirely through the Mt. Hood National Forest. Running river, nice bridges, high fir trees, tree covered mtns. This is a beautiful, sometimes winding roadway with white waters and high rock formations following the road. This is one of those roads that have beautiful fall foliage colors, too.

Drive Enjoyment

Lots of twists and turns but portions of the road do have some small potholes and dips. There are numerous turnoffs but I would recommend staying on the main road the first time until you get use to the trip. Of course, this does go over a high pass and will have snow during the winter season. If anyone is planning to take the ride in the early spring, it's important they take into consideration the snow. I was there at the end of April and was not able to go through because the snow had the road blocked but everything was fine a few weeks later ... so I suggest you check before you head out for this route anytime before June or past September.

Tourism Opportunities

Not much till you get to Detroit Lake ...just beautiful scenery and great campsites. There is an annual White Water Festival about 15 miles South of Estacada and in Detroit there is an Fishing Rodeo. Also at Detroit Lake there are two hotels, two restaurants, the marina (you can rent boats but you would need to make advanced reservations during summer weekends www.detroitlakeoregon.org for area information and www.detroitlakemarina.com for boat rentals, etc.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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ConnieVulcan800
March 28, 2013
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
This is our favorite 1 day ride. Don't plan to do it before mid-June....due to road closed by snow.
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3 riders found this road review useful
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Guest
September 2, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
Rode this last weekend (Aug 28,2010) w/a friend and really enjoyed it. Scenery is wonderful, not too much traffic and the road was in great condition. Lots of twists and turns but just took our time and thought is was one of the best day rides we have done. Went from Salem to Detroit, stopped for lunch, to Estacada and back to Salem for 175 ml ttl.
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2 riders found this road review useful
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wiggledbits
August 5, 2011
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Started on Sunday afternoon after a very hard couple of weeks at work. The trip out was a bit crowed with cars and a few trailers and boats being towed. Of course as always I ran into these at the best sections of road so I was disappointed but reminded myself it was Sunday. I stayed at the AllSeasons motel in Detroit that was inexpensive and clean. Monday morning I headed south towards Sweet Home and took Straight Creek Road 19 miles out of Detroit. Nice 70m side road to Sweet Home. This road starts as a 2 lane and goes to single so you have to be careful but I encountered only 3 other travelers on the road. Nice curves and good condition with 2 or 3 gravel danger spots. Monday late afternoon I was back in Detroit to take 224 back towards home in Portland. Them I got a real taste for the road in this review. They must have fixed the potted areas as it was in great condition. Bitchen views, some tighter corners and a number of triple digit sweepers. Not that I would speed or anything. Worth doing as a day drive mid week for sure!
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2 riders found this road review useful