Klamath Falls/Crater Lake to Lolo Pass via the Palouse

[JayElDee]

Going to be heading up into that area in late May of this year. Never been before, so looking for scenic and fun roads to ride and photo. It looks like there are many options, but how would you recommend? I will be staying in motels. Reading about the Snake and Columbia river, sounds cool.

Looking for paved, but twisty, sweeper, steep...all that's fine, just would prefer little/no off road. Going to be riding a BMW R1200R.

Thanks

John

[sorebutt]

It might be snowed in yet at Crater. I've seen 3 foot snow drifts next to the road in July.

When heading to Lolo take Hwy 3 to Kendrick. Then take the county road to Orofino. The Cavendish grade is really fun.

The Palouse really doesn't have any good roads. You would be better off going to Baker City, to Halfway. Then Forest Rd. 39 to Joseph. Then to Enterprise to Asotin. It will take a week to wipe the smile off off your face after you do the Rattlesnake Grade.

All of those roads are paved.

There is a COG ride out of Kamiah the last weekend of May. It is called the Bun Cooler. It is a weekend ride of all the good roads in the area.

[Voidrider]

I can only speak for the region directly around Crater Lake and Klamath Falls.

In May you will likely only be able to to access Crater Lake via the S. Entrance. It is still worth the visit in my opinion. If we have an exceptionally warm spring the N. Entrance may be open, but I doubt it, the complete Rim Drive will not be open usually until July at the earliest.

Highways 97 is fast for travel, but it is straight, mostly not very scenic, and immensely boring except for the moments when deer bound out in front of you.

The roads near Crater Lake are pretty good. If you really really like twisties, I can recommend Crowfoot Road west of Butte Falls. Highway 66 out of Keno (SW of Klamath Falls) to Ashland is a great fun ride.

[OrangeYZ]

From K-Falls to Crater Lake, either Hwy 97 to 62, or 140 to West Side Road to 62. The second has more trees and is 11 miles longer.
Go in the south entrance, go out the same way, go to Chiloquin.

From Chiloquin go to Burns: Either Sprague River Road to Hwy 140 to Lakeview and Hwy 395, or Hwy 97N to Silver Lake Road (County Rd 676) Hwy 31 east to Old Lake Rd to Christmas Valley to Hwy 395. Both have sections of trees and some twistiness, both also have long straight boring sections.

From Burns: Hwy 395 North to Hwy 26 East. If you insist on going to the Palouse (which is supposed to be neat that time of year) Hwy 26 to whatever to Hwy 95 North will do it.

Oooooorrrrr:

Hwy 7 North to Baker City, then do the Hell's Canyon route mentioned above because it's pretty sweet.

[JayElDee]

Thank, y'all, for the tips. Totally unfamiliar with that area, never been.

I was interested in the Palouse because I've seen some pictures of waving wheat? in hilly terrain in late afternoon sun that look beautiful. I've also read about Rattlesnake Grade and from what you say that may be the way to head?

That would be 3 and 129, right? What about the Snake River Road that skirts the river?

And NF39 from Halfway to Joseph...is that likely to be clear of snow in 3rd to 4th week of May? It looks like an interesting road. And it's paved, you say?

Thanks again for the advice. I'm sure more questions will follow.

John

[scarysharkface]

A couple of Septembers ago Crater Lake still had snow drifts next to the road. Weather must be pretty wild in those parts.

John

[sorebutt]

Originally Posted by JayElDee

Thank, y'all, for the tips. Totally unfamiliar with that area, never been.

I was interested in the Palouse because I've seen some pictures of waving wheat? in hilly terrain in late afternoon sun that look beautiful. I've also read about Rattlesnake Grade and from what you say that may be the way to head?

That would be 3 and 129, right? What about the Snake River Road that skirts the river?

And NF39 from Halfway to Joseph...is that likely to be clear of snow in 3rd to 4th week of May? It looks like an interesting road. And it's paved, you say?

Thanks again for the advice. I'm sure more questions will follow.

John

You are right, NF39 will not be open that early unless we have a warm spring and not a lot more snow. A call to the forest circus before you leave would let you know if the road is open.

3 and 129 would be correct. I'm not sure what road you are talking about that skirts the Snake River unless you are talking about the road from Asotin to Clarkston.

[Idarider]

If you want waving wheat then there is a must see for you called Steptoe Butte that highlights the Palouse and will be especially good when you will be there , about like when I took the photo below. The road to the top is fun and you can have interesting routes ( or boring)to get there.

[JayElDee]

snake river road runs south of Asotin
along the river

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=asoti...&ved=0CI0BELYD
and yes, re Steptoe Butte! Beautiful!, and the interesting ride there is ?? Looks like a curley cue going to the top.

I think there is another one to the west of 129?? another state park?

[peterman]

you said in your post,"little to no off road".
Some of these offerings and route suggestions have failed to recognize that fact.
My question is, what type of tires do you use, and what do you consider to be 'off road' per se?
Most standard dual sport tires will handle the roads suggested here. but if you hate gravel altogether,, well,,duh, things change.
So, what tires are you using for this upcoming trip?

we could send you on months of wonderful explorational roads,,

[Idarider]

Yes months, years if you ride slower like I do.

Don't map it out too much, just go.

To get to Steptoe just pick anyhting that isn't 95 or 195 and it will be good, though gravel may likely be involved.

If you are looking at camping there is Field Springs State park at the top of Rattlesnake grade and one of the best parks is right at the edge of Lewiston. Hells Gate state park. Perfect temp in May and you can order pizza or a cab if you feel like going to a brew pub or something.
Inn America seems to be a reasonable place to stay and the brew pub etc is just across the street.

[sorebutt]

Steptoe is nice, but the rest of the Palouse sucks, unless you like to watch wheat grow from a boring road.

The Fish & Game Dept has a nice little campground at Myrtle on hwy 12. I don't remember the cost, but it is really cheap. There is also a state park to camp on Dworshak at Freeman Creek. That would be just off the road from Kendrick to Orofino. There is another campground on hwy 12 just as you come into Orofino. The Motel in Konkolville just out of Orofino is very motorcycle friendly and not too expensive. The Lewis-Clark Resort at Kamiah has camping and motel. Plus they have a nice restaurant.

[dhally]

My favorites:

- Fort Klamath - I just like the scenery there.
- Hwy 395 from John Day to Pilot Rock. Lots of twisties.


If you do make it to Lolo Pass, try to stay at the Lochsa Lodge. Very rustic and hospitable. http://www.lochsalodge.com/

[JayElDee]

Again, thanks for all the info.
Re tires,
I usually run PR3 s, and they do ok on the occasional gravel, hard pack dirt. For this trip though I am going to ride Pirelli Scorpion Trail because no matter how I plan these I always wind up on some gravel/dirt.
By off-road, I really mean, "off pavement, off asphalt, on dirt, on gravel."

The bike and my stuff is going to be pushing 600# and I am not a big guy, so I want to minimize possibility of a tipover and then having to right it. I am not going to be camping.

So, the Palouse is boring? It looks like it would be very pretty, but not so?

Don't map it out too much, just go.

got ya. I understand that philosophy. Often what I will do is look for the best thin gray squiggly line that is going where I am and follow it.

Re Crater Lake...is it really just too early to go there in mid May? Would I spend my time better elsewhere. Or, would it be pretty even though I couldn't do the rim road and only see it from limited vantage points?

After this area, and hoping I can get throug Lolo Pass, the next stop would be the Missouri Breaks in Montana.

Thanks again for all the help

John

[dhally]

Yes it's worth seeing Crater Lake especially if you aren't planning to be in the area in the future. The area open in the winter has fantastic views no problem.

Just don't fall off the edge...