Went to Crater Lake, Oregon (with Pic's) — Ride Planning – USA West

4 Jun 2010 02:49

Hey Guy's, my wife and I are planning a trip from Nor-Cal to Crater Lake, Oregon. Any places of interest to see on the way? Here is our proposed route, may deviate over to the Coast just a little but not sure. Were leaving on June 14th and returning on the 18th. Anyone want to meet up and show us around? Feel free to give advice on our route, it's not finalized yet.
Thanks.

See route below: :fing02:

#2 milesbandit

5 Jun 2010 05:13

I live in Klamath Falls but sadly will be in school over in Ashland those dates.

Whatever you do, don't follow the route you have outlined.  The good news is that there are a lot of cool roads cutting east and west.  I'd recommend getting over to the coast above San Franciso and making some turns inland and back to the coast.   imho, an absolutely essential ride is Cal 96, the Klamath River Highway.  Come out on I-5, go over the Siskiyous and take Oregon 66 from Ashland to Klamath Falls.

PM me, and I'll even get my map out and give you some great riding choices in Southern Oregon.  Sorry I can't join you.

#3 Cogswell

5 Jun 2010 05:58

The only things I might add to this are that from the times I've visited Crater Lake from the Portland area were that I preferred circling the lake clockwise as it put me on the side of the road closer to the lake which gave better views and also didn't force me to cross traffic all day making left hand turns to stop at turn outs (and worry about gawking drivers behind me not stopping as I'm waiting to turn). The other is that the elevation there of 7,000+ feet means it can be cold almost any day of the year (though it may be very pleasant) so bring appropriate clothing, esp. if you don't have a heated vest, grips, etc. The lodge is a nice place for lunch / stretch out but not spectacular. IIRC there is a Nat'l Park admission fee, so don't be surprised by that. C/L is a great destination.

#4 dendron

5 Jun 2010 06:33

Great idea for a trip, crazybrother! Only thing is I'd detour at Red Bluff onto S.R. 36 (Antelope Blvd.) to Susanville then pick up S.R. 139 to S.R. 161 (State Line Rd.) and back to your original route. Circuitous and out of the way, yes, but it's all about riding, no? But, perhaps you have limited time for the trip. Just a thought. Just trying to keep you off of the superslab as much as possible.

#5 milesbandit

5 Jun 2010 23:11

Call park headquarters if you think you might want to ride the Rim Road, but I'll bet anything the road's closed and will be, probably into July due to snow.  We've had a lot and a cold, wet spring.  This also means you can't enter the park from the north.

You can still get into the park from the south and up to Rim Village, which has excellent views of the lake.   The old Lodge is a great place for lunch or dinner.

So here's my final recommendation for a great trip:  Ride up to Red Bluff on I-5, which will about kill you for boredom, but then take 36 to Fortuna and the coast.  36 is an incredible ride.  You can stay in either Fortuna or Eureka.  Then go a little farther north the next day and take 299 east to Willow Creek.  Get gas there.  Then 96 NNW to I-5, again, one of the best rides anywhere.  Don't miss it.   For lunch, you might stop at the store and deli in Klamath River.  They have great sandwiches and a deck overlooking the river.

Then over to I-5 and up to Ashland.  Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  A very nice town to visit, but expensive to stay there.  You'll find cheaper motels a few miles north in Medford, or you can come over 66 to Klamath Falls, about an hour and a half, and another great ride.

You can get to Crater Lake from either Medford or Klamath Falls.   The ride from Medford follows the Rogue River and is beautiful.  It's a good riding road but likely to be some traffic.  Not too much on a weekday this early in the season.

There are lots more good day rides in the area, but that should get you started.  I'll be on my computer while you're here, so if you're looking for some more good riding, PM me and I can make some more suggestions.

Have fun.

#6 AZTraveler

6 Jun 2010 04:29

I agree that you should stay off I5. I did the same trip several years ago from SoCal and took Hwy1 all the way up to Coos Bay then across to Crater Lake. The redwoods and the lost coast are a must see. Enjoy the ride and be safe.

#7 crazybrother Thread starter

6 Jun 2010 17:16

[image: View Post]milesbandit, on 05 June 2010 - 06:11 PM, said:

Call park headquarters if you think you might want to ride the Rim Road, but I'll bet anything the road's closed and will be, probably into July due to snow.  We've had a lot and a cold, wet spring.  This also means you can't enter the park from the north.

You can still get into the park from the south and up to Rim Village, which has excellent views of the lake.   The old Lodge is a great place for lunch or dinner.

So here's my final recommendation for a great trip:  Ride up to Red Bluff on I-5, which will about kill you for boredom, but then take 36 to Fortuna and the coast.  36 is an incredible ride.  You can stay in either Fortuna or Eureka.  Then go a little farther north the next day and take 299 east to Willow Creek.  Get gas there.  Then 96 NNW to I-5, again, one of the best rides anywhere.  Don't miss it.   For lunch, you might stop at the store and deli in Klamath River.  They have great sandwiches and a deck overlooking the river.

Then over to I-5 and up to Ashland.  Ashland is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  A very nice town to visit, but expensive to stay there.  You'll find cheaper motels a few miles north in Medford, or you can come over 66 to Klamath Falls, about an hour and a half, and another great ride.

You can get to Crater Lake from either Medford or Klamath Falls.   The ride from Medford follows the Rogue River and is beautiful.  It's a good riding road but likely to be some traffic.  Not too much on a weekday this early in the season.

There are lots more good day rides in the area, but that should get you started.  I'll be on my computer while you're here, so if you're looking for some more good riding, PM me and I can make some more suggestions.

Have fun.
This sounds like the route we'll take. I was also thinking about Hwy 36 from Red Bluff to Eureka, then back to I-5.
Thanks for all the reply's.

#8 HispanicSlammer

6 Jun 2010 17:41

We stayed with Flailer in Medford and he took us out to Crater Lake the next day, when we went. My buddy Dan, Veefer800canuke, his buddy Craig and I. There are some great roads along the way too. Most Notably was Skaggs Springs Roads from Stewarts point on the coast inland to Gyserville. wow, there are some great roads up there get off the interstate and ride that stuff its great motorcycling.

hwy 20 fort bragg to willits
hwy 36 from Fortuna and then 3 to Trinity area was good too. Then 3 all they way up to I-5 dont know if you want to go that far west though. I am sure there are good roads east of there too in the Sierras, Northern Cali is nice!

#9 CascadeRider

7 Jun 2010 17:32

Depending on how much back-road riding you want to do, may I suggest the following route? It's one of the favorite roads in the Medford area, followed by a nice little section of road outside Roseburg, followed by a beautiful ride up the North Umpqua to Crater Lake. Then you can go back down the way your current route shows. As the 14th gets closer, I may by able to determine whether I can show you around; not sure. Either way, check this route out!

>>Click<<

#10 crazybrother Thread starter

7 Jun 2010 18:06

[image: View Post]CascadeRider, on 07 June 2010 - 12:32 PM, said:

Depending on how much back-road riding you want to do, may I suggest the following route? It's one of the favorite roads in the Medford area, followed by a nice little section of road outside Roseburg, followed by a beautiful ride up the North Umpqua to Crater Lake. Then you can go back down the way your current route shows. As the 14th gets closer, I may by able to determine whether I can show you around; not sure. Either way, check this route out!

>>Click<<
Hey Thanks for the idea. If you could join us that would be great, I'l keep the post updated as the week gets closer.

#11 crazybrother Thread starter

11 Jun 2010 05:00

Alright guy's here are our final plans. Anyone want to join us? Maybe lunch or ride with us around Crater Lake?

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#12 crazybrother Thread starter

14 Jun 2010 04:31

OK, were leaving tomorrow morning, should be in Eureka by Monday afternoon. Hope to see some other VFR's on the road :fing02:

#13 CascadeRider

14 Jun 2010 15:32

[image: View Post]crazybrother, on 13 June 2010 - 11:31 PM, said:

OK, were leaving tomorrow morning, should be in Eureka by Monday afternoon. Hope to see some other VFR's on the road :fing02:

What fantastic weather you have! I hope to meet up with you for at least C-D-E-F of your Day 3 route! Calling any Grants Pass / Medford members!

#14 crazybrother Thread starter

18 Jun 2010 15:04

#15 CascadeRider

18 Jun 2010 15:09

Great pics! Wish I could have met up with you.. Nice VFR and FZ6, and who's Gen 5 snuck in there, lol?

#16 crazybrother Thread starter

18 Jun 2010 21:29

OK here was the actual route that we took, as you can see we didn't make it all the way up to Crater Lake, the snow started to fall pretty heavy. So we had to turn back. :cool: Just means that we'll have to do it again sometime :blush:

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#17 Auspa�ol

18 Jun 2010 22:35

SWEET!!