I'm leaving tomorrow morning early, hoping to beat the Independence Day traffic, as well as attempting to stay off the interstate highway system as much of the way as possible. The bike is packed, the tank full of premium, the route marked out (I like G.P.S. but still prefer M.A.P.), and the camera handy.

Preliminary route markers suggest a crossing of the mighty Columbia River on the Cathlamet to Clatskanie ferry, Mist, McMinnville, down through the Willamette Valley wine country, Roseburg, along the Auf Der Heide road, Crater Lake, Bend, Sisters, the lava fields, McKenzie Bridge, Detroit Lakes, Breitenbush, Estacada, Sandy, across the Bridge of the Gods to Skamania Lodge, to Mt St Helens' Windy Ridge, NF25 to Packwood, Randle, Skate Creek Road, Mt Rainier, Elbe, Eatonville to home.

Some of you know these roads I write of and for some a good squiz at the map is in order. I have four days. It's about 1300 miles return, so easy days. The weather forecast is for sun and a light breeze, daily temps between 20C (70F) and 29C (85F) and NO RAIN.

Piccies and a report to follow.

TWB, 

Take a look at this Old McKenzie Highway just outside of Sisters, Oregon. 
It looks from your route description you'll be near it. If so, don't miss it as it is a superb biking road complete with stunning views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Newberry and Belknap Craters and a massive lava flow that the highway was chiseled through. 

Dee Wright Observatory is a cool place to stop, too. Here's a shot from the top of it. 


Have fun and stay safe TWB.

"....Sisters, the lava fields, McKenzie Bridge..."

I've ridden all over those roads for the past fifteen-odd years. Wouldn't miss it.

Watch for drunks along the Brietinbush to Estacada hwy.  Was stationed there on a fire once and seems like everyday there was a drunk crossing the centerline and hitting someone.   And make sure you gas up in Detroit.

Otherwise sounds like a great trip!

I rode my R1150RT on this one in the end so I didn't feel it was appropriate to post further, this being a K forum and all...but the ride was fantastic and the piccies are nice.