Made an Early Fall Rattlesnake Grade Run on the Ninja: Sadly no FJ's Came Along.

[FeralRdr]

I originally posted this trip up on another motorcycling forum that I'm a member of, and though we didn't have any FJ's along for the fun, I thought I'd share it here as well.

Let me start off with a little bit of history.  Last summer (2015), I finally discovered for myself a section of road that is known regionally as the Rattlesnake Grade.



I was hoping to head out that way again sometime this year.  In particular, I was planning to make the run when a freind came home for a visit in August.  Unfortunately, despite the best laid plans and intentions, we ended up having to scrap the Rattlesnake portion of that ride due to mechanical issues with one of the bikes.    At the time, I figured that I would just go sometime in September before it got too cold or wet, but just never got around to it.

Fast forward to Monday (September 26th), and another friend of mine texts me asking if I was still thinking of making this run...  OK, I'm pretty sure everyone sees where this anecdote is going. So, let's just say, that after careful consideration of impending changes in the weather, we decided that our best option was to go the very next day.  Subsequently, bright and early the next morning, we were off.

Day 1 - Washougal, Wa to Enterprise, OR

Ordinarily, when we head out to Eastern OR, we typically either go out via Fossil, or through Condon and Heppner, OR.  This time, we decided to try a slightly different route, so we headed out to Bickelton via Klickitat and Goldendale, WA.  


Klick-Appleton HWY - SE of Klickitat, WA


Fall colors in the twisties.


MT. Adams - Taken off of HWY 142 West of Goldendale, WA


Pull out on the Bickelton HWY. SW side of Rock Creek Canyon, East of Goldendale.


Rock Creek Canyon - Taken from same pullout mentioned above.


Looking across Rock Creek Canyon to the twisties on the NE side.

We stopped for lunch in Bickelton, then afterwards made our way South and East taking various roads to the Alderdale area.  Most of the roads were in great shape, with the exception of Hale Rd (SE of Bickelton), where we encountered about 5-10 miles of fresh, unswept chip seal.  Fortunately, we were still able to maintain a moderate pace, even though   there was enough loose aggregate to make the corners feel real "interesting" at times.  For our perseverance, we were rewarded with some wonderful twisties at the East end of Hale Rd where it becomes Sand Ridge and 6 Prong Rds.

Once we reached Alderdale Rd, we opted to stay off of SR-14 a little longer, so we took Sonova Rd to SR-14 instead of going immediately South to the highway.   We then slabbed down SR-14 to I-82, and crossed the River into OR.  Heading East on HWY 730, we jumped onto HWY 37, and continued on to Holdman Rd.  HWY 37 and Holdman Rd were additional pleasant surprises.  Though neither of us had ridden either of those roads before, we were hoping that they would be better than just bopping down HWY 11.  Both roads are particularly nice where each travels down through a drainage system.  However, once we came out of the drainage system midway down Holdman Rd, the route straightened out quite a bit.  Though not an onerous slabbing experience, most of the twisty riding was over, as we made our way on into Helix, and from there to Athena.  

After a short fuel and snack stop, we proceeded on our final leg of the day to Enterprise.  We continued East on HWY 11 for a short stretch until we reached HWY 204.  Turning South onto 204, there are a nice set of sweeper curves that climb up into the high country of the Blue Mountains.  As we climbed higher, the grass lands of the Umatilla/Pendleton area soon gave way to forest land as we approached the Tollgate area.  With lots of fall colors on full display in the higher elevations, we had a pleasant ride all the way to Elgin.  From there, we hooked a left on to HWY 82 and proceeded East to Enterprise for the first night.  Though we typically prefer camping when possible, we had already decided to Motel it this trip, and stayed at the Ponderosa Motel.  After settling in and dressing down, we headed to Terminal Gravity Brewing for dinner and a beer (or two).


Ponderosa Parking Lot


Terminal Gravity Brewing - A bit dark for my cell phone (we were sitting outside for dinner), but I assure you it was a tasty beer.  Oh, and it was a dark beer anyway.


As was the Gyro and soup too.

Fuel Stops:  

Goldendale, WA and Athena, OR
Note - There are no fuel stations between Goldendale and Umatilla along the posted route.

Food Stops:

Lunch - Bickelton: Market Street Cafe
-Great Marionberry Milkshake

Dinner - Enterprise: Terminal Gravity Brewing
-Good Gyro
-Excellent Beer

Accommodations:

Ponderosa Motel

Highpoints of the Day:

Old HWY 8/Canyon Rd/Klick-Appleton HWYHWY 142
Bickleton HWY (Vic. of Rock Creek Canyon)
Sand Ridge/6 Prong Rd (Vic. of Alderdale)
HWY 37/Western end of Holdman Rd

[FeralRdr]

Day 2 - Enterprise to Baker, OR

We woke up bright and early, and checked out of the motel.  After a hearty breakfast at the Red Rooster Cafe, we headed North up HWY 3 to the Rattlesnake Grade.  We only went as far North as Fields Spring State Park, where we stopped for a short break before returning the way we came.


Fields Spring State Park - WA HWY 129 between Clarkston, WA and Enterprise, OR






New Pavement on HWY 129 just South of Fields Spring S.P.


They had a hard time staying within the lines


Scenic pullout overlooking the lower part of the Northern section of the Rattlesnake Grade - HWY 129


Bottom of the Northern Grade - HWY 129


Some Fall colors looking back towards the NW


A small section hidden from the previous view behind a hill - just above the hairpin curve located at the bottom of the Northern Grade.


Looking out to the East - Grand Rhond River below.

After turning back South, we proceeded back down HWY 3 to Enterprise.


Looking out over Joseph Creek from a Scenic Viewpoint along OR HWY 3.  A few miles South of the Southern section of the Rattlesnake Grade.


Wallowa Mountains from HWY 3 just North of Enterprise


Buffalo as viewed from HWY 3.

After a quick top off of fuel in Enterprise, we continued South on HWY 82 to Joseph, and then East on HWY 350 until reaching FS-39 (Hells Canyon Scenic Byway).  We turned South and headed to HWY 86.  We made a few stops along the way, including at the Scenic Overlook.  


Fall Colors along the Northern Section of FS-39 (Hells Canyon Scenic Byway)




Found some shade up at the Hells Canyon Scenic Overlook - Above FS-39


Hells Canyon Scenic Overlook - Looking East into Idaho.


Hells Canyon Scenic Overlook - Looking NE into Idaho.

After a short stop at the overlook, we continued South on FS-39, and started encountering lone cows along the roadside.  We also started noticing a lot of fresh cow pies on the road surface, and soon came upon the source: a small group of ranchers (on horseback) moving a small heard down the road.  Fortunately,  one of the riders waved us to follow him, and he lead us through the heard.  We were soon back on our way, and reached HWY 86 within a short time.  Turning West, we continued on to Halfway, and after a short fuel stop proceeded into Baker City.  Our destination for the night was the glamorous Oregon Trail Motel.  After settling in, we then headed to Barley Browns Brew Pub for a sumptuous repast.... and Beer.


Oregon Trail Motel Parking Lot.


A Nice Porter at Barley Browns Brew Pub.
         
Fuel Stops:

Enterprise and Halfway, OR

Food Stops:

Breakfast - Enterprise: Red Rooster Cafe
-Good Biscuits and Gravy

Dinner - Baker City: Barley Brown's Brew Pub
-Chicken Fried Steak was "Delish"
-Excellent Porter and "Bullseye" Brown

Accommodations:

Oregon Trail Motel

Highpoints of the Day:

The Rattlesnake Grade (HWY 3/129)
Southern Section of FS-39 (Hells Canyon Scenic Byway)
HWY 86 (where it follows the Powder River)

[FJmonkey]

Great report, very nice roads and happy you had agreeable weather to keep it fun.

[FeralRdr]

Day 3 - Baker City, OR  to Vancouver, WA

Woke up to another bright and beautiful morning, and were soon heading across the parking lot for an early breakfast at the in-house cafe.  Afterwards, we finished our packing, and checked out.  Although we could have gone home via Ukiah, Heppner, and Condon,  we opted instead to head back via Fossil, as we had never taken that route back from Eastern Oregon before.  Also, we had already been out to the Condon, Heppner, and Ukiah area several times this past summer.

We were back on the road by 9:00 (or so), and headed out of Baker on HWY 7 to the Bates area.  As we reached County Rd 20 (CR 20), we opted to make a quick stop to empty out some coffee and adjust our riding gear for the temps.  Also, it gave us an opportunity to check out a possible campground for future trips,


Bates State Park, OR.  Vicinity of HWY 7 and CR-20 Rd JCT.


Biker Hiker Camp Sites.  Bates State Park, OR

Once we turned on to CR-20 we immediately noticed it had recently been freshly paved, and it extends all the way to HWY 395.  Definitely another of the many nice surprises of the trip.  The paving job was so fresh, that there was no gravel to speak of, in any of the corners.  The only issue we ran into was more cattle (and pies) along the road.  We only had one instance of cattle in the road, but were able to get around them without any trouble.  We did spend a bit of time dodging cow pies, but just a minor annoyance to be sure.


Looking to the West along CR 20.  Just West of Bates, OR


Bob tapping his Boot along CR 20.  Oops!  My Bad.  He's just tip toeing his CBR.


Looking back to the East along CR 20.  A few miles to the East of the CR 20/HWY 395 JCT.


Looking West along CR 20.  Same location as above.

We eventually reached HWY 395 and headed South to Long Creek for fuel.  After topping off, we continued Westward on HWY 402 to Kimberly, and then North on HWY 19 to Fossil.  We decided to take another quick break, so we pulled into Shelton Wayside; and found another potential campground.


Shelton Wayside County Park and Campground.  11 miles from Fossil, OR along HWY 19



We were soon back on the road, and had decided that we didn't need to stop in Fossil, so on to HWY 218 we went.


HWY 218 between Shaniko and Antelope, OR



HWY 218 is always a joy, and this was no exception.  After a fun run thorough the twisties (and a quick stop for picts), we  headed to Bakeoven Rd and on down into Maupin.  We then headed to Tygh Valley for fuel and snacks.  Afterwards, we continued West on Wamic Rd to HWY 35, and  then South to Cooper Spur Rd.


Cooper Spur Rd South of Parkdale, OR


More Fall colors and twisties.

We took Cooper Spur Rd into Parkdale, then the Dee HWY into Hood River.  We proceeded across the Hood River Bridge to SR-14, and then homeward from there.



Fuel Stops:
Long Creek, and Tygh Valley, OR

Food Stop:

Breakfast - Baker City: Oregon Trail Motel
-Good Country Breakfast
            
Highpoints of the Day:

County Road (CR) 20
HWY 402
HWY 218
Wamic Rd/FS-48
HWY 35
Cooper Spur Rd
Washougal River Rd


Total mileage for the 3 days (for me):   1010 miles

So that was our short notice adventure. I hope you all enjoyed the trip report.  As always, I encourage everyone who has the opportunity to go out and ride as many of these roads as possible.

[FeralRdr]

Great report, very nice roads and happy you had agreeable weather to keep it fun.

Thanks Monkey.  Our weather has definitely made the seasonal shift from Sunny with warm temps to Cool with a good chance of rain, interspersed with a low chance of rain, and a dash of yeah we're definitely gonna get wet thrown in for good measure.   

[fjbiker84]

I drove up the coast from SoCal all the way to a little town called Florence, OR, and then over to I-5 and on up to Seattle several years ago - in my car.  But fell in love the roads, the views, the beautiful little towns along the way, and swore that one day I'd do it on my FJ.  Another thing to add to my bucket list.  Enjoyed the pics! 

[Firehawk068]

Awesome looking roads for sure!

Great report.
I hope to get up in that area next year sometime.

[aviationfred]

Great ride report and awesome photos. Looks like you had an incredible trip. 

Fred

[PaulG]

Beautiful roads and scenerey.  These are my favourite types of roads - empty.  I'm going to send this link to my nephew in Vancouver BC.  He likes going down that way, even if it nearly killed him this spring.  But that was in Washington.  I'm sure Oregonians are much better drivers.