Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route

[RredFJ40]

Anybody ever taken this Backcountry Discovery Route?
http://oohva.org/Back Country/BCDRRt5.html

If so, did you use the maps they sell? I realize it isn't hardcore, looks like just forest roads. Any comments on the route as a family trip, camping areas, length of time it took, etc?

 

[High Desert]

I've not been on "the" trail but have been near them out east towards Riley and out on the Three Sisters wilderness boundary roads that are on one of the routes. I'm planning on running the Riley to John Day section this summer. I don't think you need the maps if you have the correct forest service and BlM maps for the regions your going into. They have convently sectioned the maps so that you need two maps to go North/ South from any main roadway (ie HWY 20 north to HWY 26). that's a marketing pain in the a$$.

No not serious trails..but that's some pretty nice High Desert driving out there.

there is a Motorcycle magazine aritcle on part of the trail that comes from Ashland/Medford across the cascades into central Oregon, I'll see if I can find it and post it up. that's country pretty near you..

I'm wanting to do the roads up in the Umpqua River area, ever done that?

 

[Lucy_FJ55]

I have wanted to check these 'routes' out for a few summers now. I went ahead and purchased the map packets for both the third and fourth routes. I am familiar with some of the sections already and as said before- great family style wheelin', beautiful vistas, interesting geological sites, etc. The maps are good detail and are marked with alternate sections/interesting offshoots, topograhical/color coded, and provide GPS waypoints. Of course you don't need the maps but I'm sure it helps.

 

[RredFJ40]

Of course you don't NEED the maps that they have. But it would be nice to have something as detailed with extra info and the route already planned out so that it is possible without hitting hundreds of "closed roads". Thanks for the info Lucy, that's the type of stuff I was interested in.

 

[esh]

I did Walla Walla to Riley over 6 days for Labor Day wknd. Was around 500 miles. Great views even though it was smokey from fires. The route takes you past some great historic sites. Lookouts, mining-related sites (old wooden aqueduct and other infrastructure), baby's grave, lost cabin.. let alone the natural areas you go through, lakes you pass, etc. There is one short section on some old lava flow that you can't believe is a mapped forest road. There are also plenty of primitive sites for camping anywhere along the way.

No technical driving, not even 4wd needed. Other than the altitude and spectacular views, I wouldn't really recommend north of I-84 except around Mt. Emily. There was a lot of gravel road running up there. I liked the mining area stuff and I prefer the country more south of Riley toward Lakeview. I've also done Riley to Christmas Valley, very fun run. Think that took 2 days.

The maps are worth the money. They did a great job on them. I have an older set of data (before the maps came out) and only 1 or two very short sections were incorrect.

 

[barrypt5]

Not to hi-jack the thread but staying with the Oregon thing, especially for you bend people there is the Morrow County OHV park that is close

http://www.morrowcountyparks.org/17290/index.html

has anyone ever been? looks pretty cool and you could even rent a cabin if that suites the family better

barrypt5

 

[blupaddler]

I purchased the maps a while ago, and can attest to the quality of the maps.
However, I am still in the planning stage. I have been wanting to drive the whole thing then cruise back down the coast.


Any advice as to when the best time of year to go is?
October is very doable with work, but I don't want to freeze (the wife that is)
Or would June be feasible?


Thanks

 

[RredFJ40]

Most of it is fairly high elevation, October would probably give significant snowfall depending on the type of year. Couple that with the distance from civilization some sections are supposed to be and you are looking for trouble doing it in the fall. Latest I would go would be mid september.