West Cascades Scenic Byway
Relaxing on the West Cascades
| Departure: | Westfir and Westfir Covered Bridge, Oregon |
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| Destination: | Estacada, Oregon |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
Along the West Cascades Scenic Byway are creations of man intermixed with nature, history and culture displayed along the roadway for all to see.
Day 1
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Start: Westfir and Westfir Covered Bridge
A former lumber town, this community is located near Oakridge, on the southern end of the West Cascades Scenic Byway. In Westfir, you can see the Westfir Covered Bridge. One of 50 covered bridges in Oregon, the 180-foot bridge is the longest covered bridge in the state. It is unique because it is separate from the roadway of the bridge.
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Stop 2: Oakridge
Directions from previous place: Drive north on 1st Street, turn right onto Westoak Road then left onto Westfir-Oakridge Road. After 2.2 miles, turn right onto Laurel Butte Drive. After .3 miles, turn right onto Sanford St, then take another right onto Oak St. After taking one last right onto E. Commercial St, end at Oakridge.
Distance from Previous Site: 3.12 miles / 5.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 9 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Oakridge was known earlier as "that jewel of a city, in the mountains." Take a short break here to shop and walk along the streets.
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Stop 3: Box Canyon
Directions from previous place: Drive west on NF-1993, road turns into South Fork Rd. Drive on South Fork Rd for 6.1 miles, turn right to stay on the road, then take another right to continue on South Fork Rd. After 15.5 miles, take two rights to drive on NF-3569 and end at Box Canyon.
Distance from Previous Site: 23.71 miles / 37.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 5 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Take a break with a picnic lunch at Box Canyon, which is adjacent of the Delta Camp and Trail. Located right along the McKenzie River, this is a good place to get out and have a breezy, sunny lunch on the banks of the river.
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Stop 4: Cougar Reservoir
Directions from previous place: Drive west on E Commercial St, turn right on Elder St, then left on E 1st St. Take another left onto Crestview St and then a right onto Willamette Hwy; drive for 35 miles. Merge onto I-5 N toward Eugene, after 5.6 miles, merge onto OR-126 E via Exit 194A toward Springfield, drive for 6.6 miles.
Turn left onto McKenzie Hwy, drive for 38.9 miles before turning right onto NF-19, then taking another right onto South Fork Road. After 2.8 miles, turn left onto NF-1993 to end at Cougar Reservoir.
Distance from Previous Site: 90.47 miles / 144.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 45 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This is a good place to get out and stretch your legs because the Reservoir is about 6 miles long, and the walk along the water provides a relaxing view. The dam is at the north end of the Reservoir, and is the tallest rock-filled dam in Oregon. The view from alongside the reservoir provides outstanding vistas into the French Pete addition to the Three Sisters Wilderness Area.
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Stop 5: Delta Campground and Nature Trail
Directions from previous place: Adjacent to the Cougar Reservoir.
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Right near the Reservoir is the Delta Campground and Nature Trail. Ancient Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir stretch up to 180 feet here. Tilt your head as you walk under them along the Nature Trail to take in the impressive sight.
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Stop 6: McKenzie Ranger Station
Directions from previous place: Drive northwest on NF-3569 towards NF-280, after 11.4 miles, make a left and then a sharp right onto NF-1927. Drive for 1.9 miles and turn left to stay on NF-1927, continue on the road for 4.1 miles before turning right.
Turn left onto South Fork Rd and drive for 5.6 miles, turn left and then left again; drive for 6.1 miles before taking another left. Stay on South Fork Road for 2.8 miles before making another left to turn onto NF-19. Turn right onto McKenzie Hwy and drive for 6.9 miles to end at the McKenzie Ranger Station.
Distance from Previous Site: 40.52 miles / 64.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 31 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 15 minutes Before going any further along the byway, come here to get information on the many recreation activities available in the area. It is open 7 days a week to the public from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekends.
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Stop 7: Marion Forks Fish Hatchery
Directions from previous place: Drive east on McKenzie Hwy toward Foley Ridge and follow the road for 25.5 miles before making a left and then another left onto Santiam Hwy. After 15.2 miles, end at the Marion Forks Fish Hatchery.
Distance from Previous Site: 40.81 miles / 65.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 42 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Take a guided tours or learn on through onsite interpretation. At one of the many large ponds onsite, collect some fish food to scatter to the rainbow trout.
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Overnight Point: Detroit Lake
Directions from previous place: Drive west on Santiam Hwy toward NF-68 for 23.5 miles, then make a left to end at Detroit Lake.
Distance from Previous Site: 23.66 miles / 37.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 26 minutes Located in the 'backyard' of the Portland-Metro area, this huge reservoir is very popular, it being the second highest-use lake in Oregon. Take the day to enjoy the many activities offered here, such as swimming, fishing, waterskiing and boating, or camp out for the night.
Visitor information for Detroit Lake can be found at the Detroit Ranger Station.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 225.29 miles / 360.5 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center
Directions from previous place: Drive north on Humbug St and take a left at Forest Ave, then a right at Detroit Drive to end at the Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center.
Distance from Previous Site: 0.2 miles / 0.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 minute Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Breitenbush Center is a privately owned resort in a sylvan old growth forest setting. Open year-round, this unique resort offers hot springs, a sweat lodge, and a variety of workshops.
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Stop 2: South Breitenbush Gorge National Recreation Trail
Directions from previous place: Turn left onto Breitenbush Road 46 and drive for about 14 miles before turning right onto Forest Road 4685.
Distance from Previous Site: 14 miles / 22.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Meandering through giant trees in an old-growth grove, this popular trail follows the Wild and Scenic-eligible South Breitenbush River. A small Forest Service operated campground is near the trailhead.
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Stop 3: Wild and Scenic Clackamas River
Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Step close to the river's edge and feel surrounded by the wild ancient forest. Step a little further along the banks and come across quiet pools and spinning whitewater.
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End: Estacada
Directions from previous place: Drive northwest on NF-890, turn right and then right again. After half a mile, turn right onto NF-46 and follow the road for 11.9 miles before the road turns into Clackamas River Rd. After 21.5 miles, turn left onto OR-224 and drive for 25.4 miles before turning right onto SE Main St. Turn right onto NE 1st Ave to end at Estacada.
Distance from Previous Site: 60.67 miles / 97.1 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 33 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Finish up your trip in Estacada, which is the northern gateway to the West Cascades Scenic Byway. Shop, rest or dine here as a satisfying end to your trip.
