This is a variation of the covered bridges tour that Wayne Estes proposed, set up as a one way trip rather than a loop. We were looking for covered bridges.
Jim,
My Willamette Valley Covered Bridge route is still very much the plan for this summer. I wanted to do it immediately after the July 4 holiday but that overlaps with the Track and Field World Championships and Oregon Country Fair. So my plan is now June 20 thru July 1. Hopefully I'll be connecting covered bridges soon after you, in the opposite direction.
A recent route change is to go farther north to Champoeg State Park, then follow the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway south thru Salem to Independence. That added a day, making my planned tour 11 riding days plus a rest day in Silverton.
Jim, does anybody in your mature group plan to do the big and somewhat busy climb to Silver Falls State Park? Or will you all stay on flat quiet valley roads that are devoid of walk-behind waterfalls? For a group tour, one good feature of the Willamette Valley is that riders often have the choice of a flat route or a hilly route.
Just to butt in here, I’ve biked up to Silver Creek Falls myself a number of times over the years but don’t really like the ride. The park itself is amazing of course, but the ride up never feels quite as safe as I’d like.
Scott, I agree. I have driven to Silver Falls State Park a couple times and thought the traffic was too heavy for pleasant cycling. I plan to start early when climbing from Sublimity to Silver Falls State Park. Hopefully I can beat most of the traffic. The descent to Silverton will be during the busy afternoon but hopefully not too stressful because I can go about the same speed as the cars.
Wayne, I looked at your two waterfall stops and was intrigued by the trails behind the falls at Silver Falls. We are currently routed that way on a shortish day that should give time to do the hiking. It's only about 15 miles from Silverton to the north falls. Hopefully, by leaving early, we can avoid most of the uphill traffic. If we should decide against it, it will be easy to route directly from Silverton to Sublimity.
I walked behind the falls at Silver Falls when I was 9, I'm 62 now, and I remember it vividly. So I highly recommend it.
It is amazing alright. One of my favorite memories up there was walking behind the falls in midwinter during a deep freeze. It was so completely iced over that our dog wouldn’t walk though. We had to carry him.
Jim, if you're in the mood for waterfalls I hope you noticed my detour to McDowell Creek Falls county park. I discovered it after I first shared the covered bridge route with you.
It's a dead end spur south of Lebanon, a 10 mile round trip with 650 feet of ascent. Less than half as much work as climbing to Silver Falls State Park, with far less traffic. The county park is in a densely forested canyon with a 1.5 mile loop trail/boardwalk that ascends a cascading creek, crosses a small hill, then descends another cascading creek.
McDowell Creek Falls county park is more "undiscovered" than Silver Falls State Park which is Oregon's most-visited state park. I have never been there but am looking forward to seeing it.
I’m glad you pointed this out. I’ve never heard of this park and hike but it sounds great. We’re down in Corvallis for a few days this week so maybe we’ll drive over to Lebanon and have a bike and hike.
The Trolley Trail.
2 years ago